What's LEGO®-Based Therapy?
LEGO®-based therapy is an evidence-informed play therapy program for children aged 5-10 experiencing challenges with social communication.
Initially developed for Autistic individuals, LEGO®-based therapy has been shown to be effective for a range of common childhood concerns, including worry and shyness, challenges building friendships, difficulties interacting with peers, and trouble working as a team.
LEGO®-based therapy harnesses the participant's inherent love of LEGO® and play to develop observation and adaptability skills for use in social settings, rather than teach rote language skills or a 'to do' list of 'social norms.'
At Darebin LEGO® Club, we work with each child's unique neurotype and strengths alongside parental goals. Children are matched into groups based on age, neurotype, and communication challenges.
We are currently accepting registrations of interest for a 5-week term commencing soon!
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What Skills are Developed at LEGO® Club?
Social development, including flexibility, turn-taking, team work, parallel and co-operative play, and language skills.
Executive functioning, including sustained focus, attention, short and long-term memory, and fine- and gross-motor control.
Emotional development, including verbal and non-verbal expression, emotional regulation techniques, and social referencing (insight into others' emotions).
About the Facilitators
Denis (he/him) holds a Graduate Diploma (Advanced) in psychology from the University of Melbourne, and he has a special interest in working with Autistic children aged 5 and above. With training in DIR/Floortime approaches, Denis has facilitated numerous social skills and LEGO®-based therapy groups in multidisciplinary clinics across Melbourne. In 2022, he further expanded his expertise by training with the Little Black Duck to learn how to run LEGO®-based therapy from a strengths perspective. His warm, inclusive, and non-directive approach to working with children ensures a comfortable and supportive environment for his clients.
Jen (she/her) holds a four-year Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Psychology. She has experience with children and young people in clinic and education settings, and primarily from culturally and linguistically diverse and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Jen enjoys working collaboratively with her clients to establish a safe space in which they can feel comfortable and build supportive relationships. She has a particular interest in working with children experiencing difficulties with emotion regulation, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships.
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FAQ'S
What happens after I register?
Once you have registered your interest, we will be in touch to organize a free 15-minute online interview. This will allow you and your child to meet with Denis and experience what LEGO® club is like. This meeting also helps us ensure that potential group members will match well, so that individual goals can be met. If everyone agrees that they would like to participate in the club, we will email an intake form to gather more information about your child. This is where you can outline the specific goals you would like your child to work on during the LEGO® club term. We will also organize a $100 deposit to secure your child's place.
How long does it run and how much does it cost?
The start dates and times of the LEGO® club will vary depending on interest and availability. A typical term runs for 5 consecutive weeks. The cost of each session is $100, payable each week, with a total cost of $500 for the entire term. Each session lasts for 60 minutes. As the number of participants is strictly limited, and social relationships are developed across the term, it is important that each child commits to attending every session. While unforeseen circumstances are understandable, late cancellations without a valid reason may result in a full fee. Participants with self- or plan-managed NDIS may use their funding to pay for the LEGO® club.
I'd like to receive more feedback.
We offer brief, weekly progress reports on your child's development in LEGO® club, along with take-home prompts to consolidate what they've learned throughout the term. However, if you would like more detailed feedback, we are able to provide a comprehensive behavioral report at an additional cost. This report outlines specific areas of strength and recommended strategies to best support your child. If you receive NDIS funding, we would be pleased to discuss with you how these reports can help you achieve your child's goals.
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Please contact me about Darebin LEGO® club!
Important information
Each session will be held on a Saturday morning, with specific dates and times TBC. Darebin LEGO® Club will be located in Ivanhoe.
Cost is $100 per session. While starting dates and term lengths depend upon interest, a typical term lasts 5-weeks, for a total cost of $500. Each session lasts for 60-minutes.
Due to strictly limited numbers, a $100 deposit is required to secure your child's place.
As each session builds on the one before, it's important that participants commit to attending all 5 sessions of LEGO® club. While unforeseen circumstances and sicknesses are understandable, late cancellations without a valid reason may attract a full fee.
Children with self- or plan-managed NDIS funding may be able to use their funds for LEGO® club.