Teaching Food Preparation Skills to People with Intellectual Disabilities: a Literature Overview

In: Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities: JARID, Volume 15, Issue 3, p. 236-253

Abstract

Background  Food preparation skills are considered very relevant for people with intellectual disabilities. This paper reviewed research studies teaching these skills through the use of pictorial instructions or systematic prompting strategies.Methods  Computerized and hard searches led to the identification of: 12 studies using pictorial instructions on cards; four studies using pictorial instructions through computers; seven studies using systematic prompting (time delay or prompted practice of incorrect task steps), and three studies combining time delay with cards.Results  The overall training outcomes were quite encouraging. Maintenance and generalization data tended to be in line with the training outcomes. The findings for the different teaching approaches were analysed in relation to the characteristics of the participants, number and complexity of the tasks available, data collection strategies as well as relevant literature on intellectual disabilities. The suitability of the teaching approaches for different types of people and environments and some relevant issues for future research were also examined.