Building Skills Through Play: An Occupational Therapist’s Experience with LEGO-Based Therapy
At the end of March, I had the genuine privilege of attending a training for LEGO-based therapy facilitators in Auckland. This opportunity was made possible by a very generous donation from the parents of a child who had previously participated in LEGO-based therapy and experienced meaningful, positive changes. Their support means we’re now able to offer this approach to more children and families in our community.
The training itself was led by a highly experienced paediatric occupational therapist, Elen Nathan, and brought together a wonderful mix of professionals – occupational therapists, educators, and speech-language therapists – all with a shared passion for supporting children’s development. And yes, while spending a day playing with LEGO was definitely a highlight, the learning went far deeper than that.
The morning reinforced something we strongly believe in here at Nurture: children learn best through play. Play creates a safe, engaging space where skills can develop naturally. The afternoon then focused on practical strategies -how to guide, support, and structure LEGO-based therapy sessions so that each child gets the most out of the experience. I left feeling inspired, better equipped, and excited to bring this into our work.
What is LEGO-Based Therapy?
LEGO-based therapy is an evidence-based program developed by Dr. Daniel B. LeGoff, a paediatric neuropsychologist. It’s designed to support the development of social skills in a way that feels fun, motivating, and low-pressure for children.
It’s often a great fit for children who may experience differences in social communication, including those with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or other developmental profiles that impact social skills. That said, it can benefit any child who would enjoy building confidence in social situations.
How does it work?
LEGO-based therapy is typically run in small groups of 2–3 children. Each child takes on a specific role in the building process -For example, one might be the “engineer” (giving instructions), another the “builder” (putting the pieces together), and another the “supplier” (finding the right pieces).
This structure naturally encourages children to:
Communicate clearly
Listen to others
Take turns
Work together toward a shared goal
All of this happens while they’re focused on something enjoyable and meaningful to them.
What are the benefits?
While it might look like “just play” from the outside, LEGO-based therapy supports a wide range of developmental skills, including:
Social interaction (turn-taking, sharing, teamwork)
Problem-solving and flexible thinking
Attention and focus
Fine motor skills
Emotional regulation and resilience
Because the sessions are engaging and predictable, many children feel more comfortable participating and trying new skills.
How we’ll be running groups
We’re excited to start offering LEGO-based therapy groups facilitated by our Occupational Therapist, Bo O’Sullivan.
Who:
Children who would benefit from support with social skill development
Where:
Sessions can take place in our clinic, at schools, or out in the community -LEGO is wonderfully portable, and Bo is happy to come to where the need is
How:
We’ll be starting with short therapy groups running weekly for 6 weeks. These will be offered at a special introductory price.
Interested in learning more?
If you’re curious about whether LEGO-based therapy might be a good fit for your child, we’d love to hear from you. We understand that every child is different, and we’re happy to talk things through in a way that feels comfortable and clear.
Get in touch with us to find out more about upcoming groups, pricing, and how to get started.