What is LEGO®-Based Therapy?

LEGO®-Based Therapy is an evidence-informed, play-based, social communication program, developed by Daniel LeGoff in the early 2000’s. It is a child lead, gentle way of helping develop social communication skills whilst still being true to the individual’s neurotype.

LEGO®-Based Therapy is a strengths-based program that works by teaching the participant observation and adaptability skills rather than rote language or a checklist of social information. The participants learn to look to each other for information, support and build relationships in a safe and respectful environment.

LEGO®-Based Therapy doesn’t aim to make the autistic child communicate more typically, but, instead, it gives them the tools they need to adapt how they communicate. It is designed to be fun, create connections, and improve relationships.

Benefits of LEGO®-Based Therapy

LEGO®-Based Therapy has been shown to:

• Reduce problem behaviours
• Improves critical thinking
• Improve social communication
• Builds and helps to maintain friendships
• Improving social interactions
• Improving social competence
• Improved teamwork
• Increases sense of belonging
• Improves family relationships (when running as a parent-implemented program)
• Improves adaptability and coping skills
• Improved wellbeing in the participant
• Improves adaptability
• Improves confidence and emotional wellbeing

Program Details:

Groups are limited to 20 participants and book out quickly

Dates and session times:

Starting Thursday 26/05/2022. Session times and dates are based on AEST.

• Day1: 26/05/2022 - 10.00am-3.00pm
• Day 2: 27/05/2022 -10.00am -3.00pm

Cost: Early Bird Rate $950AUS - Standard Rate $1000AUS

Time commitment: 10 hours spread across 2 days

Location: Online (AEST time)

The program includes:

• 10 hours of online group-based training and development
• Time to try out the program
• 3 hours 1 to 1 time with the facilitator if needed when implementing your program
• Full colour training manual
• Ready to use resources
• Additional resource list for assessment and further information
• LEGO® Statrer Kit
• Certificate of Completion

Optional Extras

• NDIS ready report templates, observation guides and checklists, plus 1.5 hours implementation and use support. - $250

About the Little Black Duck’s LEGO®-Based Therapy training program

Our workshop series is aimed at teaching parents and professionals about LEGO®-Based Therapy from the autistic perspective. We show you how to implement and run your own LEGO®-Based Therapy program, and how to adapt it to suit the needs of different participants.

Our course is unique as it is run from a neurodiverse perspective and aims to provide updated research and knowledge on autism and supporting autistic learners. Because our course is face to face each training program is unique and tailored to meet the participants' interests, knowledge and focus. Breakout rooms and group learning opportunities help to build networks, ask questions, expand knowledge, and learn different perspectives or therapeutic approaches.

We offer an additional 3 hours of online support for when you are setting up, implementing or running your program that can be used within 12 months of program completion.

Program Structure

Our workshop is 100% online and runs for approx 10 hours across 2 consecutive days.

Day 1 – 10.00am-3.00pm – Agenda

About Lego®-Based Therapy

• Research and evidence
• Benefits of Lego®-Based Therapy
• Setting up a program
• Roles
• Progression
• Tools and equipment

Understanding the original concept of lego therapy in the context of current research and neurodiversity

• Understanding autism in the context of the program
• Core diagnostic criteria
• Neurodevelopmental differences
• Sensory processing differences
• How to support these differences in the context of Lego®-Based Therapy

Day 2 – 10.00am-3.00pm – Agenda

Understanding communication from a neurodiversity framework

• Communication differences in autism
• Cognition and communication
• Speech assessments
• Putting it together in the context of Lego®-Based Therapy

Sensory processing and Autism

• Understanding sensory processing
• The impact on the autistic profile
• Sensory and communication

Supporting ongoing development

• Progressing through the Lego®-Based Therapy program
• Building on the skills learned in the sessions
• Supporting cognitive flexibility
• Building community

Setting up a group

• Intake and Group dynamics

NDIS reporting

• Tools we use to intake, observe, assess and report and what is important for NDIS reporting

About your presenter

Melanie is the owner of the little black duck, a late-diagnosed autistic female and the mother to 4 autistic children. In 2018 she completed her post-graduate in autism studies and in 2021 she completed her Masters degree in autism studies.

Her special interest is in autism and believes that it is through education and knowledge that people with autistic neurology will find a place of acceptance and belonging without having to change who they are.

About the Little Black Duck Workshops

The little black duck has been operating for over 10 years, providing information and resources for autistic people by autistic people.

We aim to present accurate and relevant research and information from a neurodiverse, autistic perspective, incorporating the lived experience to help bring life to research.

All workshops are viewed and assessed by a panel of other autistic people to ensure the content is accurate and comes from a strengths-based perspective.