LEGO® Play Therapy is a powerful and effective therapy for supporting children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. It helps by creating a structured yet creative space where children can express themselves, develop vital skills, and process experiences. Here’s how it can help, across different areas:

Emotional Development

Safe Expression: Children can express feelings they may not have words for by building them symbolically.

Processing Trauma: For children who have experienced trauma or stress, building scenes or stories can externalise internal struggles safely.

Building Self-Esteem: Completing builds fosters a sense of accomplishment, competence, and control.

Communication and Language

Encourages Verbal Expression: Children often talk about their builds, creating narratives that help them process emotions or experiences.

Improves Social Language: Working in pairs or groups improves turn-taking, listening, asking for help, and giving instructions.

Social Skills

Collaborative Play: LEGO therapy often uses structured group formats to encourage teamwork.

Understanding Perspective: Building together helps children learn about others’ points of view and fosters empathy.

Problem-Solving Together: Children learn to negotiate roles and responsibilities.

Cognitive and Executive Functioning

Planning and Sequencing: Children need to plan steps, follow instructions, or create their own designs improving executive functioning.

Attention and Focus: Engaging in a build can increase concentration over time.

Working Memory: Holding instructions or concepts in mind while building enhances memory skills.

LEGO® Play Therapy can be especially effective for neurodivergent children and young people, including those with:

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
ADHD, Sensory Processing, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Social Anxiety. 

It specifically helps neurodivergent children:

Structured Yet Flexible

* Neurodivergent children often thrive in environments with predictable rules and clear roles.

* LEGO therapy uses structured formats (e.g., roles like engineer, supplier, builder) which provide security while still allowing creativity.

Builds Executive Function Skills

* Helps with planning, organising, initiating tasks, and problem-solving in a hands-on, non-threatening way.

* Practising turn-taking, impulse control, and flexible thinking through engaging play.

Supports Communication in a Low-Pressure Way

* Great for children who struggle with verbal communication; the focus is on shared activity, not eye contact or talking.

* Encourages social communication naturally: asking for bricks, clarifying instructions, or narrating stories about builds.

* Can be adapted to support non-verbal communication methods (e.g., visual aids, AAC).

Encourages Peer Connection and Social Skills

* Builds confidence in social interaction without overwhelming social pressure.

* Often used in small groups to practise cooperation, empathy, and understanding others’ perspectives.

* Can reduce social isolation by creating a shared goal and interest.

Sensory-Friendly

* The tactile nature of LEGO bricks can be soothing for some children with sensory needs.

* Sessions can be adapted to include sensory breaks or use soft bricks if needed.

Adaptable and Individualised

LEGO therapy can be tailored to match a child’s:

* Interests and obsessions (e.g., dinosaurs, Star Wars, Minecraft)

* Pace and processing needs

* Energy levels and attention span