LEGO
® therapy and the Social Use of Language Programme (SULP) were evaluated as social skills interventions for 6–11 year olds
with high functioning autism and Asperger Syndrome. Children were matched on CA, IQ, and autistic symptoms before being randomly
assigned to LEGO or SULP. Therapy occurred for 1 h/week over 18 weeks. A no-intervention control group was also assessed.
Results showed that the LEGO therapy group improved more than the other groups on autism-specific social interaction scores
(Gilliam Autism Rating Scale). Maladaptive behaviour decreased significantly more in the LEGO and SULP groups compared to
the control group. There was a non-significant trend for SULP and LEGO groups to improve more than the no-intervention group
in communication and socialisation skills.
Keywords LEGO® therapy - Social skills - High functioning autism - Asperger syndrome