Long-term outcome of social skills intervention based on interactive LEGO play.

Full Abstract

LEGO building materials have been adapted as a therapeutic modality for increasing motivation to participate in social skills intervention, and providing a medium through which children with social and communication handicaps can effectively interact. A 3 year retrospective study of long-term outcome for autistic spectrum children participating in LEGO therapy (N = 60) compared Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale socialization domain (VABS-SD) and Gilliam Autism Rating Scale social interaction subscale (GARS-SI) scores preand post-treatment with a matched comparison sample (N = 57) who received comparable non-LEGO therapy. Although both groups made significant gains on the two outcome measures, LEGO participants improved significantly more than the comparison subjects. Diagnosis and pre-treatment full-scale IQ scores did not predict outcome scores; however, Vineland adaptive behavior composite, Vineland communication domain, and verbal IQ all predicted outcome on the VABS-SD, especially for the LEGO therapy group. Results are discussed in terms of implications for methods of social skills intervention for autistic spectrum disorders.

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Author information

Author/s: Legoff, Daniel B (DB); Sherman, Michael (M);

Affiliation: Bancroft NeuroHealth, Haddonfield, NJ 08033, USA. dlegoff(-atsign-)aol.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Autism : the international journal of research and practice (Autism), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jul; vol 10 (issue 4) : pp 317-29

Dates: Created 2006/08/15; Completed 2006/09/26; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16908476, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use
Autistic Disorder - psychology
Central Nervous System Stimulants - therapeutic use
Child
Combined Modality Therapy
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male

Mental Disorders - etiology; therapy
Play Therapy
Psychotherapy, Group
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use
Social Adjustment
Social Behavior
Socialization
Speech Therapy
Time Factors

Associated Chemicals: Antipsychotic Agents (0) ; Central Nervous System Stimulants (0) ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors (0)

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