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This workshop is a practical skills workshop. 

Participants will explore different therapeutic uses of LEGO for use in clinic, in schools, in hospitals and in the home. 

Developed from neuroscience principals, and occupational therapy frameworks, this training draws on theory to provide the foundation, but has a strong hands on, experiential learning component. Participants will build across the day as they learn different ways to use LEGO to support well-being in people of all ages. 

Application of therapeutic use of LEGO includes but is not limited to: 

• Acute Trauma Response 
• Family Therapy
• Eating Disorders
• Grief Therapy
• Dementia Care
• Relationship Development Groups
• Social Skill Development Groups

"This workshop was the highlight of the conference for me"  - Psychiatrist, Asia Pacific Women's Health Conference, Australia. 

LEGO-Based therapy is an evidence based social skills program developed for people with Autism by Daniel Le-Goff.  It has been successfully replicated across the world, and fits well into the New Zealand and Australian context. It is an excellent therapy model for clinicians and professionals with existing skills and knowledge in group theory, clinical reasoning and Autism. 

This therapy model coaches group participants to work as a team, using LEGO® in a structured way to achieve an outcome together as a group. The intrinsic value of LEGO® for the participants means that motivation and volition is naturally high, so learning of the social skills is accelerated. 

Research has also shown the skills learned in the group naturally transfer well to other settings such as from the clinic setting to the 

home. 

Elen Nathan is an Occupational Therapist who has specialised in Sensory Modulation and Autism. This full day workshop also includes how to structure a successful group using group theory, with tips and tools around using LEGO® for sensory regulation so the sensory needs of the group are met first to ensure all participants are regulated and sensorily organised, enabling them to participate in the group to their full capacity. 

Elen is a qualified Sensory Integration Practitioner (OT-SI PGCert, Distinction, Hallam University, UK). 

With an incredible depth of knowledge from both clinical practice and theory, Elen's Sensory Workshops or Professional Development can be tailored to non-OT teams to support SAFE implementation of sensory plans when an OT is not available (such as RTLB, or regional DHB teams), or for multidisciplinary teams with OT's who are reaching for deeper understanding, assessment and implementation for complex clients or environment modifications such as ED departments, theatre & recovery, or trauma informed schools.

Elen can also train diagnostic specialists on use of the Miller Model of Sensory Processing Disorders to be able to recognise the 18 sub-groups of Sensory Processing Disorder for better targeting of implementation and treatment plans.

Wondering about the connection between Sensory and Behaviour? Implementing Trauma Informed practice, but still unsure of the role sensory plays? Working with children and not sure how to support emotional development? Feeling like the behaviour strategies are not quite working or don't sit right for the age of the child?

Young people are busy developing an understanding of their sensory system, their body, and are still learning how to regulate their body and mind into their 20's. Often we are jumping a few steps in child childhood, expecting too much of our children developmentally when we are using behaviour based strategies (consequences, rewards, talking through choices etc) for emotions which require a bit more time to be understood, by learning to feel safe when we experience them, not punished for our feelings. 

Contact Elen to discuss a workshop which will demystify child development - Emotional regulation, Sensory regulation, attachment, attention, play, impulse control and behaviour, and ensure moving forward the plans in place for the children you support are truely developmentally appropriate and support growing great kids gently. 

Elen is a LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Method facilitator, trained by the Association of Master Trainers.

The purpose of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is to create a safe place for 100% participation from all participants through the facilitation of reflective process, where the result is more participation, more insights surfaced, more engagement and, ultimately, more commitment and faster implementations.

The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method (LSP) is a facilitated thinking, communication and problem solving technique for use with organisations, teams and individuals. It draws on extensive research from the fields of business, organisational development, psychology and learning, and is based on the concept of “hand knowledge.”  

Using specialist LEGO®, carefully designed build challenges, and a facilitated discussion, the workshop is carefully designed around a primary concern or problem which is unpacked throughout the process. 

Workshops are fun, engaging and work well for energising tired training needs, solving problems that have become embedded or entrenched, training a group of people with vastly different existing knowledge, creating a safe space for all voices to be heard equally no matter the persons role in the organisation, existing experience or skills, or belief systems, lifting and building positive group culture. 

Contact Elen if you are interested in discussing workshop needs in your workplace.  

"It's really hard doing training around Te Tiriti o Waitangi when you have team members brand new to the country, and team members living within Te Ao Maori. This training method gave everyone a voice, a chance to learn from each other safely, and made the training deeply meaningful to all participants"