SOON the ever-popular Lego bricks will be helping Corangamite children build more than just fun toys.
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It’s hoped children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) will find joy and stability via the colourful creative blocks.
Rector Hayden McKellar, from Camperdown, said the idea provided an alternative for people who don’t fit into usual Saturday sports.
“My wife has said it’s sport for people who don’t want sport,” he said.
The South-West Brick Club comes after the success of ASD Aid, a Melbourne-based program which aims to raise awareness and bring the proven benefits of creative play therapies to the disadvantaged, especially children with an ASD.
ASDs include Autistic Disorder (or autism), Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
Rector McKellar said it could be very difficult for ASD children to connect with others.
“Lego has set structures which have to be followed,” he said.
“It’s structured and predictable.
“When using Lego, though, their imagination begins to flow.”
Rector McKellar said the club would also provide an important network for parents to meet and realise they are not alone.
“Hopefully they will realise there are others in the community in the same boat,” he said. The first session will be May 18 at St Paul’s Anglican Parish Hall in Camperdown and is already booked out.
The club will then meet on the second Saturday of every month and, if successful, a Warrnambool club may be established.
The club is a joint project between Anglicare Victoria, the Mission District of St Francis of Assisi and the founder of Brick Clubs at Abbotsford Convent.
