Creatovators is a small Scottish charity which brings together families where a member has autism. As well as sharing ideas and forming bonds Creatovators has formed a novel form of therapy using Lego. It helps autistic children to learn social skills and to enjoy a sense of achievement. This video shows some of the teaching techniques in action. Filming was in 1080p mp4 using DSLR equipment, directional microphones and lighting was supplemented by LED lights. Editing was in Final Cut. Contact Gordon Saunders 07812 576 430 or gordon@saundersfilms.co.uk for more information or to discuss a video project.

The colourful building toy Lego has been used by therapists for nearly 20 years as a treatment tool for children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. It started when neuropsychologist Daniel LeGoff noticed how normally introverted children with autism would interact and socialise with peers while playing with Lego. Informal and NDIS-supported autism lego groups are now emerging around Australia, with parents saying the sessions are often the only time their child communicates with others. This informal social lego for the autism group is held weekly in Mackay, north Queensland. Most of its members are children have been diagnosed with ASD. Parents of group members say the lego group has given their children confidence and social skills and has helped with schoolwork and hand-eye coordination. Read the original story by Sophie Meixner here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-04/lego-therapy-helps-build-skills-for-kids-with-autism/11337688 Join the ABC Australia community on social media! http://abc.net.au/ Facebook: http://facebook.com/abc Twitter: http://twitter.com/abcaustralia Instagram: http://instagram.com/abcaustralia

It is estimated that approximately 1.6% of people in the UK have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which causes difficulties with social interaction, communication, behaviour, and interests. Such difficulties often cause problems in day to day life and often result in the child feeling socially isolated. The most common treatment for this is social skills training but while these children may learn to demonstrate appropriate social skills within the setting of the intervention, applying these new skills to their everyday life is often unsuccessful. Researchers at Hull York Medical School, led by Professor Barry Wright, are at the forefront of research which are transforming mental health inventions for children and young people. LEGO®-based therapy is a new approach that is specifically designed to make social interactions interesting to the child with ASD so that they will not only learn the necessary skills but adopt them in their daily lives. The main aim of this research is to examine whether LEGO®-based therapy groups in schools has any impact on the social and emotional competence and perceived social isolation of children with ASD. The research also aims to look at any changes in the mental and more general health of the child resulting from LEGO®-based therapy. I-SOCIALISE is funded by the National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research Programme (project number PHR15/49/32). For more information about research at Hull York Medical School, visit www.hyms.ac.uk/childmentalhealthinterventions