LEGO Therapy: Building Skills!
- Noah Carroll
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Play is the natural language of children—and for many, it is far easier to communicate through action than words. LEGO® Therapy is a structured, evidence-informed play therapy approach that uses collaborative LEGO building to support emotional regulation, social skills, problem-solving, and connection. Originally developed for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), LEGO Therapy is now widely used with children experiencing anxiety, ADHD, trauma, social difficulties, and challenges with emotional expression.
What Is LEGO Therapy?
LEGO Therapy is a collaborative play-based intervention in which children work together to build a shared LEGO project. Sessions are guided by a therapist and typically involve clear roles, shared goals, and gentle coaching around communication and cooperation.
Unlike free play, LEGO Therapy is intentionally structured. The predictability of the task, the tactile nature of the bricks, and the shared focus on a concrete goal help children feel safe, regulated, and engaged.
How LEGO Therapy Works
In a typical LEGO Therapy session, children may take on one of three rotating roles:
Engineer – Reads or interprets instructions and explains what needs to be built
Supplier – Finds and organizes the correct LEGO pieces
Builder – Assembles the structure based on the Engineer’s guidance
This structure naturally encourages:
Turn-taking and listening
Clear communication
Perspective-taking
Frustration tolerance
Repair after mistakes
The therapist supports the process by modeling language, helping children navigate conflict, and highlighting successful moments of collaboration.
Why LEGO Therapy Is Effective
LEGO Therapy works because it combines play, structure, and relationship:
🧠 Predictability reduces anxiety – Clear rules and roles lower cognitive and emotional overload
🖐️ Hands-on sensory input supports regulation – The tactile experience helps children stay grounded
🤝 Shared goals foster connection – Children practice cooperation in real time
🧩 Mistakes become learning moments – Builds resilience and flexibility
For children who struggle with verbal expression, LEGO Therapy offers a powerful alternative pathway for communication.
Who Benefits from LEGO Therapy?
LEGO Therapy can be especially helpful for children who:
Struggle with social skills or peer relationships
Experience anxiety or emotional dysregulation
Have ADHD or difficulty with focus and impulse control
Are on the autism spectrum
Have experienced trauma and benefit from non-verbal expression
It can be used in individual therapy, group therapy, family sessions, or school-based settings.
LEGO Therapy in the Therapy Room: Clinical Examples
1. Supporting Social Skills and Peer Interaction
A small group of children works together to build a LEGO city. When disagreements arise about design choices, the therapist pauses the activity to help the children practice respectful communication, compromise, and repair.
2. Emotional Regulation and Frustration Tolerance
A child becomes frustrated when a structure collapses. The therapist helps the child slow down, name the feeling, and problem-solve—turning a moment of distress into an opportunity for emotional growth.
3. Building Confidence and Agency
Children who struggle with self-esteem often shine when given a defined role. Successfully completing a shared project reinforces competence, pride, and a sense of belonging.
Integrating LEGO Therapy with Other Modalities
LEGO Therapy integrates beautifully with:
Play Therapy – Supporting symbolic expression and relational safety
CBT or MBCT-informed approaches – Practicing emotional awareness and coping skills in real time
Trauma-informed care – Offering control, predictability, and non-verbal processing
Family Therapy – Improving communication and collaboration between parents and children
Final Thoughts
LEGO Therapy reminds us that healing doesn’t always happen through talking. Sometimes, it happens through building—brick by brick—new ways of relating to ourselves and others. By meeting children where they are and honoring play as a powerful therapeutic tool, LEGO Therapy creates space for growth, connection, and resilience.
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