How are cooking safety skills taught to people with autism? 

Cooking is an important step towards independence, but for many autistic people, kitchen tasks can bring unique challenges. Sensory sensitivities, executive functioning differences, and anxiety about unfamiliar processes can make cooking feel overwhelming. According to NHS England guidance, autistic adults benefit from tailored teaching that combines structure, visual supports, and gradual exposure to help build confidence and safety in the kitchen. 

Occupational therapy and structured learning 

Occupational therapists play a key role in helping autistic people learn to cook safely. A 2021 review of occupational therapy interventions found that breaking cooking tasks into small, clear steps and using visual supports, like colour-coded utensils or safety symbols, helps learners understand and manage tasks more confidently. 
Therapists often use graded exposure, introducing simple, low-risk tasks such as sandwich preparation before moving to stove-top cooking, and adapting environments to manage sensory input (for example, avoiding strong smells or using noise-reducing headphones). 

Visual supports and video modelling 

Visual aids are widely used to teach safe cooking routines. According to NICE recommendations, practical skill teaching should be structured and personalised. Visual recipes, step-by-step picture cards, and social stories provide predictability and clarity, reducing cognitive load during multi-step activities. 

Evidence also supports video modelling, where learners watch demonstrations of safe cooking practices before attempting them. A 2019 study found that autistic individuals using video modelling achieved over 90% independence in cooking sequences and maintained those skills long-term (Kanfush et al., 2019). 

Teaching safety and independence 

Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) and occupational therapy often work together to teach cooking safety. Structured routines, positive reinforcement, and backward chaining (teaching the final step first) can enhance confidence while promoting safety. 

The National Autistic Society and Autistica emphasise patience, repetition, and hands-on practice within sensory-friendly kitchens. Visual safety cues, digital reminders, and checklists, such as “turn off the hob” or “wash hands after handling food”, help reinforce safe habits and executive functioning. 

Takeaway 

Autistic individuals can learn to cook safely and independently with the right support. Evidence shows that step-by-step teaching, visual recipes, and sensory adaptations build both safety awareness and confidence. With occupational therapy input and structured teaching methods, cooking can become not only a skill, but an empowering expression of independence.