Self-Determination: Serving Up Kitchen Independence for Young Adults With Visual Impairments

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Young adults with visual impairments (VI) have greater difficulty transitioning successfully into the community than their peers without VI (Janus, 2009). Occupational therapy practitioners have a distinct set of skills that can assist this population in the transition into independent living and increased role participation. However, transition needs may be overlooked because of rehabilitation professionals’ focus on education and employment (Leeuwen et al., 2015). Factors that can lead to successful transition into adulthood include self-advocacy, self-determination skills, a supportive family, and inclusive environments. This novel intervention addresses improving self-determination, cooking, and safety skills to promote the transition to independent living.

The purpose of this study was to measure the immediate postintervention effects of a cooking group intervention on performance skills, safety, and self-determination skills in young adults with VI. The research questions were as follows: Does a group cooking intervention for young adults with VI or blindness increase self-determination? Does the intervention improve cooking independence as measured by GAS? Does the intervention improve independent cooking performance and satisfaction as measured by the COPM?

METHOD: We used a case series, AB design with measures taken at baseline and postintervention. Participants were verbally recruited through a community organization and screened by the principal investigator. Inclusion criteria were age 18–21, IV or blindness, and goal to live independently. The novel 10-wk intervention was based on independent cooking strategies and self-determination skills.

Outcome measures included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), a self-report measure of participation and satisfaction with participation in occupations (Law et al., 2014); goal attainment scaling (GAS), an examiner-rated outcome measure used to quantify a client’s progress toward personal goals (Doig et al., 2010); and the Self-Determination Assessment Internet (SDAi), an Internet survey of cognitive, behavioral, and affective traits associated with self-determination (Hoffman et al., 2015). Both the COPM and GAS were administered by the same interventionist; the SDAi was self-administered on location. All data were analyzed on a case-by-case basis with comparison made only to each individual. A rich occupational profile was developed in collaboration with each participant.

RESULTS: All participants improved on the measures of occupational performance and satisfaction, goal attainment, and self-determination.

CONCLUSION: Young adults with VI require interventions tailored to their level of impairment that use strategies and assistive technology to promote independence with cooking and kitchen safety. Occupational therapy practitioners can explore the use of cooking group interventions to increase client self-determination, independence, and occupational performance.

References

Doig, E. J., Fleming, J., Kuipers, P., & Cornwell, P. L. (2010). Clinical utility of the combined use of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and goal attainment scaling. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 64, 904–914. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2010.08156

Hoffman A., Hoffman, S. F., & Sawilowsky, S. (2015). Self-Determination Assessment Internet. Trinity, FL: Ealy Education Group.

Janus, A. L. (2009). Disability and the transition to adulthood. Social Forces, 88, 99–120. https://doi.org/10.1353/sof.0.0248

Law, M., Baptiste, S., Carswell, A., McColl, M. A., Polatajko, H., & Pollock, N. (2014). Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (5th ed.). Ottawa: CAOT Publications.

Leeuwen, L. M., Rainey, L., Kef, S., Rens, G. H. M. B., & Nispen, R. M. A. (2015). Investigating rehabilitation needs of visually impaired young adults according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Acta Ophthalmologica, 93, 642–650. https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.12782