AUTISM &

LEGO THERAPY
BY AMY SLOAN
110171602
THE SESSION:
• What is Autism?
• What is Lego Therapy?
• Why is Lego Therapy important for students on the Autism
Spectrum?
• How can I use Lego Therapy to ensure I am being inclusive of my
students on the Autism Spectrum?
• Your turn to talk!
WHAT IS AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER?
• Severe neurological disorder
• Affects the development of an individual across their entire lifespan
• ‘Spectrum’ is used to highlight that no two individuals with Autism are the same
• Face challenges with:
– Social skill ability
– Communication level
– Cognitive ability
– Repetitive behaviours

(Department of Education 2019)

(Prior & Roberts 2006)
(Hyde et al. 2017)
WHAT IS LEGO THERAPY?
• Program aimed for students on the Autism Spectrum
• Allows students to develop a range of skills through working in a group and fulfilling three
different roles:
– Engineer
– Supplier
– Builder
• Assists students in developing the following skills:
– Sharing
– Listening
– Talking
– Problem-solving
– Team work
(Rust 2019)
(Raising Children 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrl9XKKouos
WHY IS LEGO THERAPY IMPORTANT FOR
STUDENTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM?
• Social skills
• Language development
• Non-verbal Communication Skills
– Making eye contact
– Showing facial expressions
– Body language
• Theory of Mind Skills
– Putting themselves in someone else's shoes
– Seeing things from someone else’s perspective

(Owen et al. 2008)

(Kimbi 2014)
HOW CAN I USE LEGO THERAPY TO
ENSURE I AM BEING INCLUSIVE OF MY
STUDENTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM?
YOUR TURN…
• In groups of 3
• You will perform the role of a:
– Engineer: You are only giving instructions of what is next to come!
– Supplier: You are listening to the engineer and supplying the bricks to the
builder!
– Builder: You are only building the project – no peaking at the instruction
manual!
• Reflect:
– What worked well?
– How do you think this would look in a classroom setting?
– What students come to mind whilst you are completing this activity?
REFERENCES
• Bryony Rust 2019, What is Lego Therapy? Video, YouTube, 12 March, accessed 16th September,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrl9XKKouos.
• Department for Education 2019, Autism spectrum, Government of South Australia, South Australia.
• Hyde, M, Carpenter, L & Dole, S (eds) 2017. Diversity, inclusion and engagement, (3rd Edition)
Oxford University Press, Melbourne Vic.
• Kimbi. Y, 2014, ‘Theory of mind abilities and deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorders’, Topics in
Language Disorders, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 329-343.
• Owens, G., Granader, Y., Humphrey, A. and Baron-Cohen, S. 2008, ‘LEGOÒ Therapy and the
Social Use of Language Programme: An Evaluation of Two Social Skills Interventions for Children
with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome’, Autism Developmental Disorder, vol. 38, no.
1, pp. 1944-1957.
• Prior, M. and Roberts, J. 2006, Early Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Guidelines
for Best Practice, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra, Australia.
• Raising Children 2018, Lego therapy, Raising Children Network Australia, viewed 18th September,
https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/therapies-guide/lego-therapy.