In 2008 The Times reported on the use of LEGO as a speech & language therapy tool for children with autism or social communication difficulties (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/child_health/article4876937.ece).LEGO continues to be a hugely popular toy with children all over the world. It is also fantastic as a learning tool, particularly for children with autism who are attracted to toys with repetitive, highly structured systems of play. Individuals with autism often find it very difficult to interact/communicate with others, recognise facial expressions/emotions, and understand that others may not  necessarily share their thoughts or feelings. With guidance from a speech & language therapist, children can improve on these skills by playing simple games of LEGO.

This may begin as a one-to-one activity with a therapist, such as building a LEGO model together. This involves learning to cooperate and use spoken language to request particular pieces, colours or to make corrections. It may then be possible to involve other children – with or without autism – to take on certain roles: The Engineer (describes instructions), The Supplier (finds the correct pieces) and The Builder (puts it all together). Together, these children are learning to work as part of a team; to cooperate, negotiate, express themselves clearly, problem-solve, take others’ ideas into account and focus on a shared goal/solution. For many children with Asperger’s Syndrome or who have high-functioning autism, these games can boost their confidence about talking, improve social communication and even lead to friendships.

Such is LEGO’s interest to individuals with autism that the company is in partnership with the UK’s National Autistic Society (NAS) and is a committed fundraiser (http://www.autism.org.uk/lego). Studies from the Cambridge Autism Research Centre have also provided encouraging evidence that LEGO had better results than other teaching programmes of social communication (Owens et al, 2008), although further research is necessary.

If you have a child with autism and feel that they may benefit from LEGO Therapy, feel free to contact I.T.S for an informal chat: https://integratedtreatmentservices.co.uk/contact-us/

Further InformationCambridge Autism Research Centre – http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/arc/default.asp

LEGO – http://www.lego.com

National Autistic Society – http://www.autism.org.uk

Owens, G., Granader, Y., Humphrey, A., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2008). LEGO Therapy and the Social Use of Language Programme: An Evaluation of Two Social Skills Interventions for Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38 (p1944-1957). Available at http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/pubs/search.asp

Sarah Bennington – June 2010

Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services. ITS is a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire and the East Midlands. It specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists, but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Arts Therapists.