Therapeutic Use of LEGO® 2024

Therapeutic use of LEGO® is an energised, hands-on, one day workshop, filled with practical skills for working with tamariki, young people and adults using LEGO® to support development of social-emotional skills.

Across the day we will explore principles of therapeutic relationships and learning processes - play based therapy, proximal zone of development, positive guidance, positive psychology, group therapy process, coaching through conflict, trauma informed practice, neuro-diverse affirming practice, social model of disability, flow theory and more.

Please Note: this is workshop is NOT LEGO-Based Therapy Facilitator Training - the other workshop we offer on how to setup and run LEGO-Based Therapy structured group sessions.

This Therapeutic Use of LEGO® workshop builds upon the above mentioned LEGO®-Based Therapy Facilitator Training by delving into the broader applications of LEGO® for developing social and emotional skills in tamariki and young adults. This includes support for individuals with language processing difficulties, learning differences, autism, anxiety, trauma backgrounds, and family therapy applications.

As such, attendees do not need to have completed the prior Facilitator Training to participate in this training day.

The workshop includes an introduction to LEGO®-Based Therapy. Developed by Daniel Le-Goff in the 1990's, LEGO®-Based Therapy is an evidence based social skills program that was originally developed for autistic people, but has much wider adaptations and applications today than people on the Autism Spectrum. It fits well into the New Zealand and Australian context coaching group participants to work as a team, using LEGO® in a structured way to achieve an outcome together as a group. The intrinsic value of LEGO® for the participants means that motivation and volition is naturally high, so learning of team skills is accelerated. Research has also shown the skills learned in the group naturally transfer well to other settings such as from the clinic or school setting to the home. It is a great model to use in schools, clinical settings, social services and home.

Elen Nathan is an Occupational Therapist who has specialised in Sensory Integration, Neurodiversity and is a Master trained LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Facilitator, and will use this framework to support participants across the day become comfortable and proficient in using LEGO®.   This full day workshop also includes how to design a group using robust group theory to support greater success outcomes for therapy groups. The day includes tools around using LEGO® for sensory regulation so the sensory needs of the group are met first to ensure all participants are regulated, enabling them to participate in the group to their full capacity with reduced behavioural challenges.

Whether you are a seasoned therapist or practitioner looking to bring LEGO® into your therapeutic practice, or just starting out working with people looking for practical skills to engage with clients and learners, or a parent looking to better understand how to connect with your child, this workshop has wide applications for both therapeutic, learning support and family settings.

The training will come to a close at approx 3 pm and then there will be time for Q & A.

Please Note: this workshop will touch on emotional issues such as grief and/or trauma, and some of the material covered in our workshops may be sensitive or triggering to certain participants. We encourage everyone to practice self-care and either reach out to us, or directly discuss any concerns with our presenter.