About LEGO® - Based Therapy
What is LEGO® - Based Therapy?
Lego®- Based Therapy is a social skills program for children and young people with social communication difficulties. Such invention can also be effectively used on children and adolescents who suffered from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social Communication Disorder(SCD).” It was originated in mid-1990s and was developed by Dr. Dan B. Legoff, a Clinical Neuropsychologist from Philadelphia, USA. This model is applicable to both individuals and groups. Dr. Dan B. Legoff noticed that when LEGO® bricks were present, children who were uncomfortable with verbal expressions became willing to discuss and co-operate among members in their group when building LEGO® models. Hence, he felt that there was an opportunity to develop children’s collaboration and communication skills through LEGO®-building activities. In 2008, Dr. Gina Gomez from the University of Cambridge, clinical psychologist, became the first professional to introduce this treatment to the UK. She also implemented this programme at the University of Cambridge Research Centre to assist people in need and for research purpose. Dr. Gina Gomez de la Cuesta has further established Play Included C.I.C. to promote “Brick-By-Brick® Programm (Formerly known as Lego®-Based Therapy)” as a professional intervention to the rest of the world.
How does Brick-By-Brick® Programme help the children and adolescents with their social communication skills?
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Under the supervision of professionally-trained LEGO®-Based Therapy facilitators and through the encouragement of the facilitators, the children experience different roles with joint attention to build a LEGO® set together and to develop their social communication skills from interaction during the play. Each child takes turn to become an "engineer", a "supplier", and a "builder" within the group throughout the play. The children begin with following the manual to build the model set. As they develop the skills, “Freestyle” building will be incorporated during the session to unleash their creativity, the ability to express themselves and to strengthen their self-reliance
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Intervention during the process of building blocks provide opportunities for the children to enhance their social communication skills such turn taking, listening to other’s ideas, sharing their ideas with others, compromising, and problem solving during the play. Through the intervention of the facilitators, it is observed that children’s social behaviour changes positively, understanding of others and ultimately working on the same goal with other group members
An interview with Dr. Gina, talking about her views and feelings regarding to Hong Kong BRICK Club
Meet "Licensed Trainers (Play Included C.I.C.)"
Ms. Canace, Ms. Fiona and Ms. Anna have successfully granted the Licensed Trainers status by Dr. Gina in the beautiful Jesus College of University of Cambridge.
We are very passionate Play Therapists. We are convinced that Brick-based intervention can effectively assist children in positive social communication. Our philosophy: "Allow more professionals from Hong Kong to understand the Brick-By-Brick® Programme; help promote related research; build high quality and friendly Brick Club to help children with social and communication problems!"