As varied the individuals with Down syndrome, so are DSA's programs! From programs to support families at the moment of diagnosis to programs for aging adults with Down syndrome, everyone is sure to find something that fits their need.
Kitchen Confidence for Everyone - An Adaptive Cooking Series
DSA is excited to partner with Brandon Herring of Adaptive Physical Fitness to offer "Kitchen Confidence for Everyone - Adaptive Cooking Series"!
Kitchen Confidence for Everyone - Adaptive Cooking Series is a 6-week, small-group cooking, nutrition and Life Skills program designed for individuals with Down syndrome. The class focuses on:
- Building independence in the kitchen and at the grocery store
- Learning basic cooking skills for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
- Understanding nutrition and how to make healthier choices
- Practicing real-life skills like reading food labels, making lists, shopping, cleaning up, and working as a team
The program is hands-on, visual, step-by-step, and paced to support different learning styles.
Each week builds on the last so participants gain confidence and skills over time.
This program is designed to:
- Build confidence and independence in the kitchen
- Teach safety with tools, heat, and food handling
- Improve understanding of healthy eating and balanced meals
- Provide real-world practice with grocery shopping and planning
- Strengthen communication, teamwork, and problem-solving
- Support long-term life skills that carry into home, work, and community settings
SAMPLE PLAN:
WEEK 1 – Kitchen Safety, Tools, and Reading Food Labels
Focus: Safety first, getting to know the kitchen, and learning about labels.
WEEK 2 – Grocery Store Skills & Smart Shopping
Focus: Planning, list-making, and understanding the grocery store.
WEEK 3 – Breakfast Cooking & Morning Meal Skills
Focus: Simple, safe breakfast meals and morning routines.
WEEK 4 – Lunch Preparation & Midday Nutrition
Focus: Building a balanced lunch and practicing safe cutting.
WEEK 5 – Dinner Cooking Skills & Simple Hot Meals
Focus: Simple hot dinners, stovetop safety, and teamwork.
WEEK 6 – Healthy Snacks, Review & Celebration
Focus: Putting it all together, reviewing skills, and celebrating progress.
