Fully Dependent - Requires complete assistance for all aspects of eating and meal preparation: Needs to be fed by a caregiver; Cannot safely use utensils or recognize food Unable to prepare or handle any food or kitchen tools; May have feeding challenges, such as difficulty chewing/swallowing or severe sensory aversions.
Partial Eating Dependence/Full Cooking Support - Can eat independently using utensils with assistance or adaptations (e.g., adaptive silverware, hand-over-hand guidance); May need help cutting food, managing portions, or addressing sensory preferences; Cannot prepare meals; may help with very simple tasks (e.g., stirring, handing items); Requires constant supervision for safety around kitchen tools or appliances.
Eats Independently/Prepares Simple Meals w/ Support - Can eat independently and manage basic mealtime tasks (e.g., setting table, cleaning up); Can prepare simple or pre-made foods (e.g., cereal, microwave meals, sandwiches) with guidance or supervision; May need help with sequencing tasks, using appliances, or reading instructions; Requires moderate support for meal planning, safety, or unfamiliar foods.
Mostly Independent with Cooking/Minimal Support - Prepares basic meals independently (e.g., pasta, eggs, reheating leftovers); Follows simple recipes or cooking steps with minimal prompting; Demonstrates awareness of kitchen safety (e.g., oven, stove, knife use), but may need reminders in complex situations; May need help with meal planning, grocery shopping, or managing time.
Fully Independent - Independently plans, prepares, and cooks meals with appropriate attention to: Food safety and kitchen hygiene; Appliance use and time management; Demonstrates safe habits (e.g., washing hands, using knives/stove correctly, avoiding cross-contamination); Can independently shop for groceries, follow recipes, and clean up after meals.
