Build2Talk

What is LEGO-based therapy? 

Lego® therapy was originally developed as a social development program for autistic children and other children with social communication difficulties. It uses children’s love of Lego® play, to develop communication and social skills. However, the positive outcomes from LEGO-based therapy can also benefit any child from age 4 and up.

In the LEGO®-Based Therapy group, children are encouraged to work together by building in a group of three. A typical session is formed with three children and an adult facilitator with the goal to build a LEGO® model. The children are assigned different roles.

One child acts as the ‘‘engineer’’ (describes the instructions), one is the ‘‘supplier’’ (finds the correct pieces) and the other is the ‘‘builder’’ (puts the pieces together). Children would play their role for a certain length of time, or a certain number of steps in the instructions and then swap around. This division of labour with a common purpose allows children to practice joint attention, turn taking, sharing, joint problem solving, listening and general social communication skills.

 Where does Lego® therapy come from?

Lego® therapy was developed in the early 2000s by Dan LeGoff, a clinical neuropsychologist in Philadelphia in the United States. LeGoff noticed that many autistic children were more interested in interacting with each other if they were playing with Lego®. He set up groups for autistic children to learn social skills while playing collaboratively with Lego®.

 Is the Build2Talk program the same as LEGO-based therapy?

 The learning goals of the Build2Talk program is the same as LEGO-based therapy. Similar to LEGO-based therapy, it helps to develop communication skills and other skills but the key difference is that the Build2Talk program is designed to be conducted at home with a parent and child. It does not need to be done in a group setting with other children.

 In the Build2Talk program, the parent plays the role of the facilitator and the engineer. The child is the supplier and builder. If the child is more verbal and older with a good command of expressive language, the parent and child can switch roles, whereby the child can be the engineer and the parent acts as the builder. If there are other siblings at home, the siblings can also join the session.  

 Our online program saves you time travelling to a LEGO-based therapy group and with the Covid-19 pandemic, the Build2Talk program allows you to reap the benefits of LEGO-based therapy and yet be safe at home.

 Another key difference is that if the child is non-verbal, the child can still enjoy building the LEGO models with the help of customised building instructions that come with simplified text instructions and visual images. The child can look at the visual and text instructions (or to be read out by the parent) and complete building the models.

What skills can be developed through the Build2Talk program? 

The program develops skills in the following areas:

• Expressive and receptive language development
• Visual interpretation and visual discrimination skills
• Listening skills and understanding instructions
• Sequencing skill
• Joint attention and focus
• Problem solving and communication repair
• Fine-motor skills
• Creative and critical thinking
• Social communication
• Adaptability and coping skills
• Turn-taking and patience

 Who is Build2Talk program for? 

Our program is suited for normal children age 4 and up, children on the autism spectrum, children with developmental delay or some forms of learning disability.

 How does Build2Talk program save costs? 

Build2Talk is a one-time payment program so you save on regular sessions fees. You also do not need to keep buying new LEGO sets because it comes with more than 20 different models with full instructions that uses pieces from the LEGO Classic 11002 Brick Set.

 Can I preview the BUild2Talk program before buying? 

Yes, there are lessons and model building instructions for preview. Just create an account and you have full access to peak at the lessons in this program.

 My child has never played LEGO before, can this program be helpful? 

Yes. The Build2Talk program also comes with prebuilding knowledge:

• Build2Talk training guide for parents or facilitators (Video and Text Lessons)
• Prebuilding knowledge training videos for children on Colors, Shapes, Sizes, Positional Words, and LEGO® parts naming

 What LEGO set do I need to run this program at home?

 The LEGO models to be built in this program uses the parts from LEGO Classic 11002 Brick set. This set has 300 pieces. With this single LEGO Classic 11002 set, you can build more than 25 models and this means you can conduct more than 25 different sessions. This saves you money because you don’t need to buy a new LEGO set for each LEGO-based therapy session. Using just one set, you can conduct many sessions with your child at home.

 You are recommended to buy one set of LEGO Classic Brick Set 11002 set shown here for this program. 

 How much is the LEGO Classic Brick Set 11002? 

You can check prices online from amazon.com or at your authorised LEGO stores near you. The price is between US$21 to US$30. You also buy this set from https://www.bricklink.com/. Bricklink online store sells new and used set by sellers from all over the world. It also sells loose bricks, so you can get any loose bricks you need. 

 How does the Build2Talk program improve communication skills for children?

Children develop receptive language skill when they listen to instructions from the parent or facilitator on what LEGO piece to use and where to put them during the building session.

Expressive language skill is developed when the child takes on the role as an engineer and gives out the instruction to the builder on what piece to use and how they should be placed during the model building process.

In the building process, the child also get to be trained on his visual and sequencing skills as he or she is required to follow each step till the model is completed.  

How To Make Payment? 

Payment is via secured server via PayPal or major credit cards when you check out. You will be billed under the name “Lifeforce Harmonic LLP”.  

 If you have any questions, we would love to answer them. Please email us at [email protected]