Construction Club FAQs
​
​Click here to watch our Welcome to Construction Club YouTube video!​
​
Q. Who is Construction Club for?
A. Construction Club is for children aged 4-18 years who have an interest in Lego and also require support to build on their language and/or social communication skills in a supportive, neurodiversity-affirming context. It can be enjoyable for any gender and the skills targeted are diverse and individualised based on their interests, language skills, age and support required.
Q. What happens in a Construction Club?
A. In short, approximately 3 children will be grouped together to take on different roles to create a LEGO model of their interest collaboratively, with the support of a trained Speech Pathologist. The roles are Engineer, Supplier and Builder. The Speech Pathologist will support language and communication skills (giving and following instructions, learning new vocabulary and clarifying), social communication (such as teamwork, negotiation, perspective-taking, sticking to a role, turn taking). Sessions also include elements of social conversation, creative LEGO building, structured and unstructured play and reflection time at the end of the group. Specific elements of clubs are dependent on the children in each group based on their needs and interests.
Q. What are the benefits and is it evidence-based?
A. Due to the play-based, naturalistic and individualised nature of this program, benefits observed can be vast and depend on the individual child. Depending on what challenges arise when collaborating with peers for your child, benefits can range from developing more advanced language skills; both listening and speaking, emotional regulation and resilience, negotiation and sharing, understanding perspectives of others, communicating complex concepts like emotions and self-advocacy - just to name a few. One of the best outcomes we see in this program is that children develop a sense of true enjoyment, belonging, connection with peers.
We have seen first-hand the benefits of this program, and it is backed by scientific research. You can read more about the evidence here or watch here.
Q. Who facilitates the groups?
A. CCM is run by two passionate and experienced Speech Pathologists Bec Taylor and Helen Eldershaw. Find out more about us at becthespeechie.com.au and heleneldershawspeech.com.au.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. A standard 8-week group costs $130 per session per child ($1040 total). This fee is inclusive of the 1-hour groups plus individual admin time per child each week. Travel fees may be applicable if groups are run at your child’s educational setting. For your first group, there is an additional fee of 193.99 for an initial 1:1 assessment to meet you and your child. This is essential to be able to effectively place your child in the right group.
Research findings indicate that Play Brick therapy (such as this program) is a highly cost-effective program for children. One study found that it was 94% likely that Play Brick therapy was cost-effective (Wang et al, 2020) meaning that participation in the programme marginally reduced long-term costs to other services.
Q. Can I use NDIS funding?
Yes, if your NDIS Plan is Self- or Plan-Managed. We are not able to see clients who are NDIA-Managed.
Q. My child does not have NDIS funding. Can I use a Medicare Care Plan or Private Health?
A. Medicare Care Plans may be used for the initial assessment session only and do not cover group therapy services. Children may be eligible for a Medicare CDM Plan from their GP which entitles you to a rebate of $58 (up to 5 individual session rebates per calendar year. This can only be used for individual services however, so only applies for the 1:1 assessment session only. Private Health rebates may apply, please check with your provider for group speech pathology cover.
Q. How long does it go for?
A. Termly groups run for 8 weekly sessions for 1 hour. School Holiday groups are 4 days x 1.5 hour groups. However many children enrol in multiple terms because the benefits will continue. Goals are constantly revised as children make progress.
Q. Who will my child be matched with?
A. Your child will be carefully placed in a group of 2-4 children with a similar age, support needs and interests. The placement is important so that your child is adequately challenged yet feels comfortable and enjoys the interactions!
Q. Does my child have to come to every session?
A. We highly recommend your child is available for all group sessions, however we know illness and family events occur. Sessions missed may impact the observable progress in one term. Please note the full 8-week or 4-day fee still applies if your child misses any sessions.
Q. Are carers part of the sessions?
A. Typically parents and carers are not present for the group itself. This allows children to build independence and replicate a natural play setting. However we invite you to observe for a short period during the middle of the program to get a sense of what goes on! Just let us know when you’d like to come in.
As part of the program we send regular updates and individual progress reports throughout the term.
Q. My child already sees a speech pathologist. Can they be in this group too?
A. Yes! We encourage you to keep seeing your other speech pathologist. Different skills are targeted in group and individual therapy and they complement each other well.
Q. Can Construction Club be run at school?
A. Yes! Depending on the school’s policies around missing class-time, groups may be run during class or during lunch time. Some children find the playground overwhelming with some experiencing difficulties in sensory overload and communication difficulty with peers. Having a strengths-based lunchtime club for children to attend who prefer to access more structured activities over unpredictable open play creates a safe social environment as an alternative. As it is a therapeutic group in nature it also supports them to build on their social communication, language, emotional regulation skills and resilience. Many children are also currently on wait lists to access a Speech Pathologist. Having an NDIS funded approved group means the child can access group therapy and both the school and parents can receive feedback from experienced Speech Pathologists while they wait for 1:1 therapy. Children can attend Construction Club and also be attending 1:1 therapy as there are different target areas involved.
Q. What would I need to do as a staff member of a school to have CCM run groups at my school?
A. Register on our school based expression of interest form here. We can provide you with further information on how to discuss with parents about signing up to the program held at your school and how they can use their NDIS funding to pay for it. Some parents and schools may also wish to pay privately/fund which we can discuss further.
We just need you to provide an adequate size room with sufficient tables and chairs for the number of groups you would like us to run. We bring the rest!
