Cooking Group

The cooking group at Arbor Autism Centers provides participants the opportunity to prepare food together, collaborate during simple cooking tasks, and work on feeding skills with peers. This program helps participants develop life skills including sequencing, following directions, utensil use, eating/trying new foods, and dish cleanup. Language development is facilitated through problem solving, collaboration, and discussion. 

Evidence-based techniques are used to support participants as they learn food preparation, cooking safety, and trying new foods throughout a series of guided small group sessions. Parents and caregivers will initially be encouraged to participate to support their child’s social communication and development of life skills. Parental supports will then be faded throughout the program to encourage independence. 

• Qualify for occupational therapy treatment  
• Are picky eaters or those with feeding disorders 
• Are interested in learning social communication skills and expanding on life skills while collaborating with peers 

• In-person feeding evaluation completed by a licensed speech language pathologist and an in-person occupational therapy evaluation to determine a plan of care based on current level of functioning and family goals
• 1-hour weekly group treatment sessions lead by a licensed SLP and OT focused on natural interactions and generalization of concepts
• Customized home program designed to encourage generalization of social skills to all settings 

To enroll your child in the Arbor Cooks Program, you will need to complete the new patient intake process (click button below) and have your child's primary care physician fax the following orders to 734-527-5981.

• Feeding Therapy
• Occupational Therapy