Building Social Communication, Brick by Brick

How collaborative LEGO play can build language skills, social confidence and emotional wellbeing

January 14, 2026
Noon –1:00 p.m., ET
Sponsored by Play Included

Are you interested in evidence-based approaches to supporting children’s social communication? Do you believe in the power of play? If so, then you’ll love this webinar about the Brick-by-Brick program (LEGO brick-based therapy). Discover this research-backed, effective and engaging approach to supporting children’s language, social communication and confidence through collaborative LEGO play. Hear from an international team of experts about the program and how it’s being implemented across the US with support from Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Transformational Play.

Learning Objectives

Learn about Project Baseplate from Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) Center for Transformational Play—bringing the Brick-by-Brick program to the U.S.
Understand how the Brick-by-Brick program (LEGO therapy) can support children’s social communication.
Understand how the Brick-by-Brick program (LEGO therapy) can support language skills and confidence in communication.
Discover what populations of children the Brick-by-Brick program can support (e.g. neurodivergent children, children with acquired brain injury).
Discover the research evidence base behind the Brick-by-Brick program and how outcomes can be measured.
Hear about the research, innovation and implementation of the Brick-by-Brick program across Pittsburgh and beyond in partnership with CMU.

Panelist

John Balashserves as the Director of Academic Outreach, Extension, and Engagement at the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University—his alma mater. John’s work has led to the creation of numerous student and teacher initiatives exploring the creative chaos of design and development, whether it be for hardware, software, or location based interactions. Beyond establishing in and out of school experiences, he focuses on building ecosystems around award winning playful learning experiences. John has nearly a decade’s experience in the classroom and has presented on the national and international stage on topics related to educational technology and engagement.

Lisa Chapman is a UK-qualified Speech and Language Therapist with over 22 years of experience supporting children and adults with a wide range of speech, language, communication, and swallowing difficulties. She has a particular interest in Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In 2018, Lisa relocated from the UK to Nairobi, Kenya, with her husband and two children. She went on to establish the Bee Heard Kenya Association, followed by Bee Heard Kenya Ltd in 2022 and 2023. Bee Heard Kenya is an independent therapy and training provider based in Nairobi, offering services across Kenya and East Africa. The Bee Heard Kenya team comprises five Speech and Language Therapists and one Specialist Tutor. They deliver both school-based and clinic-based therapy through their dedicated Therapy Space in Nairobi. Lisa leads the team, managing service delivery and supporting its ongoing development, with the goal of improving access to high-quality speech and language services for both children and adults in Kenya. Outside of her professional work, Lisa is passionate about travel, scuba diving, and running. She has completed several marathons to raise funds for individuals with communication needs in both the UK and Kenya.

Niki Jones is a highly specialist speech and language therapist and Clinical Director of Cheshire Communication Therapy. Currently completing her PhD on the use of play bricks to develop communicative competence in paediatric AAC users, Niki strives to adapt and individualise therapeutic approaches to better support the young people she works with. As a neurodivergent practitioner, Niki's enjoys using her lived experience to support other members of the neurodivergent community with acquired brain injuries or complex communication profiles linked to trauma. Outside of her clinical practice Niki spends as much time as she can exploring the world's oceans—the colder the better!

This free event is open to all ASHA members and non-members. It is not offered for PDHs, CMHs, or ASHA CEUs.

Disclaimer: ASHA does not endorse or recommend programs, products, or services from external sources.