Lego therapy at school?

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Posting here for traffic…

DS started a new school a few months ago, and has come home twice in the last couple of weeks saying he went to Lego therapy with a couple of other kids from his class. He is good friends with one of those boys, and apparently the first time, the boy chose DS to go with him. Today DS said he was just told he was going.

DS loves it, and I’m all for interventions like this (I’m currently waiting a referral for ADHD assessment for him), BUT, shouldn’t the teacher have said something to us, if he’s taken out of class to go do this, for whatever reason?

We are new at the school and I don’t want to be difficult. Teacher hasn’t said anything untoward about DS focus/behaviour etc, all good feedback so far. Academically he is fine. His ADHD traits are very much masked at school.

Could this be a couple of ad hoc sessions for some reason, or is it likely the teachers have noticed something and think he’d benefit from the Lego therapy?

We have parents evening in a few weeks but I’m minded to raise it before then?

Any insights gratefully received!

I think I’d just mention it by email to the teacher, in a fairly straightforward ‘DS told me he’s been doing this, great the school can offer this stuff, can you tell me why you think he might benefit?’

Lego therapy is supposed to be really good.

Yes the school have noticed that your son needs some support and have selected him to join this group. They do exactly the same thing at my DC school

My child does Lego group.

it’s great for social skills, sharing, working together, motor skills, emotional regulation, etc all hidden in play.

school have identified your child would benefit from this, which is great that they offer it.
i agree when my child started this type of intervention that I wanted to be informed but school don’t call parents for every decision so recognise they are doing the best for your child.

Many Thanks @OxfordMother and @Rainallnight

I just wonder what they might have noticed? Previous school literally never commented on DS as potentially neurodiverse in anyway whatsoever (though I’m very open to it - he’s very ‘challenging’ at home). My quick google search tells me Lego therapy is for autism? Can I ask why your DC goes?

Yep I think it’s fab, no issue with him doing it, I guess I’m just surprised that a) he’s been picked up this quickly for something, and b) the school hadn’t told us. I totally trust them. Very happy with the school. Can I ask what your child goes for @Ilovethewild

Maybe they just noticed he really liked it and that it might be beneficial to him when he went to the first session accompanying his pal?

Lego therapy can involve using children as good role models: for explaining, modelling sentences, listening carefully etc. If you have flagged up concerns about ADHD, this could be a quiet session to enable him to decompress, avoid being overwhelmed, develop new friendships. I’d use it for all those things and more (primary SENCO). There are variations of jewellery therapy and Minecraft therapy for different interests too.
Schools don’t need to tell you about interventions in place in the school day, although it is certainly good practice. I’d just ask about it at parents eve, if they don’t bring it up.

My DS does Lego therapy as part of a nurture group. He doesn’t have autism but apparently needs support with his confidence as a learner

Ds did Lego group as he has very poor fine motor skills, struggles with holding a pen and messy writing. He also has adhd but the Lego group was more about the physical stuff. They worked in teams of 3 to build an item, so other skills were involved too, and a lot of talking and getting to know other children which would be good for a new child in a class I would think.
It’s a positive thing op. By all means ask about it but in a curious, what do you think he needs support with sort of way. It may not be anything extreme at all.

Thanks very much @QueenofLouisiana - I actually think it could be the first point you make.And also your pint @ErrolTheDragon - yes he did love it and it sounds beneficial on lots of levels. He is a genuinely lovely, caring, boy. Always held up as a good role model - at school at least! Home is another matter!

We haven’t flagged the ADHD concern to school yet as it’s entirely something he displays at home only, and we only just got the referral. I will mention it at parents evening though as they should be aware we think he’s masking a lot, but he does seem to cope very well both socially and academically.

Aaaah, this could also be it. His writing/drawing is pretty messy. He has hypermobility and does struggle with handwriting especially. And the new kid thing makes sense too.

My quick google just said a lot about Lego therapy for autism, but def sounds like it could be any number of reasons. Thanks everyone, really reassuring!

My child has a lot of different interventions as well as Lego club like social group (where they talk about managing friendships, social environments, how they are feeling), comic club (1-1 time with TA to build confidence), small group work in class - he struggles with whole class work/noise, superwriters (reading, comprehension small group work).

not all every term, but a variety of interventions to best help him manage in school and best learn.

sounds like the school are seeing more of your child than you expect?

lego group can be beneficial for those with Autism as well as ADHD, anxiety.
my child got interventions prior to any diagnosis

100% it sounds like they are seeing more, and being more proactive, all good things.

He moved because of some low level bullying which has definitely made him a bit anxious too - so yes it could well be that @Ilovethewild

Hope your DC is getting on ok too.

It could just be because he’s new and they want to let him interact with other kids in small groups so he can find his feet.

It won't be for your son to have the therapy, it's still for the boy that initially picked him.

One of mine goes as the guest of a friend and it's the same three there every week. They do role play type things and want children that the main child is comfortable with.

I wasn't asked or told but happy to be involved, it sounds fun.

Is the school one where lots of the boys play football in the break? DS2 really suffered due to that as he hated football and as a result had very few children to play with. He sometimes had access to the lunchtime indoor club where they could play board games etc. it really helped him as a newcomer to the school.

This is why I love Mumsnet. So helpful thank you everyone.

Whatever the reason it sounds really positive. I will ask at parents eve, it certainly doesn’t sound urgent!

Ds was put in a nurture group age 6, at the time we had no concerns and couldn't understand why, he's academically very bright and no one had ever raised any concerns. We were told by his teacher at the time that she'd noticed he was struggling with his handwriting and other motor skills. Two years later he was diagnosed with severe dyspraxia and autism, he had a different class teacher by then and she was completely against us taking him for assessment as she couldn't see any issues. The first teacher had picked up on some very subtle signs and we are forever grateful to her for responding to his needs. Since then, he's had some teachers that instinctively recognise what he needs and some that have needed a little bit of guidance from us. He's year 11 now and doing amazingly well. What I'm saying in a long winded way is, you've identified that your son may have some additional needs, it sounds like his teacher might be one of the good ones too