USAHS Miami faculty and students bake to teach activities of daily living to young adults who have aged out of post-secondary transition programs.

By Carol Newman

At age 22, young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Florida are no longer eligible for the state and federal programs that exist to help them transition from high school to their next life stage, including postsecondary education, employment or independent living. Such a group gathered recently on the Coral Gables campus of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Miami (USAHS Miami) to make chocolate pudding dirt cups.

Given the gap in services at this critical transition period, Christina Bertran, OTD, MS, OTR/L, BCP, CAS, an assistant professor at USAHS Miami, and her colleague Arlenys Loffredo, OTD, MS, OTR/L, created Life Is What You Bake It to develop meal preparation and life skills for individuals with different abilities.

Participants work on activities of daily living such as meal preparation, bilateral coordination, and safety with equipment.

“By engaging in cooking activities such as practicing how to turn the stove and oven on and off safely are critical skills,” says Dr. Bertran. “Our OT students work with the younger adults to follow a recipe and practice these life skills in a real-world environment while promoting an opportunity for social interaction.”

Florida law mandates that a student’s individual educational plan (IEP) team must start planning for a student’s transition out of high school at 14 years of age or sooner. In 2007, a study of special and remedial education in Florida indicated a lack of support, resources, and guidance for these transition services and preparing these young adults for independence.

Since lack of access to transport and other resources for those with disabilities can lead to isolation, socialization is big component of the baking group gatherings.

“Often times, these younger adults find themselves no longer qualifying to continued occupational therapy services, much less group sessions that instill social participation and promote independence” says Dr. Loffredo.

“Life is What You Bake It” takes place at least twice each term at the USAHS Miami campus. It is one of several pro-bono clinics at USAHS Miami that serve the community and help students enhance their experiences with different patient populations.

“Occupational therapy students get the opportunity to work hands on with this underserved population. Students have reported how meaningful it is to them and how they appreciate giving back through their future profession” says Dr. Bertran.

Dr. Bertan’s brother has participated in multiple baking classes, along with his mother and peers from the community. Lily Bertran shared that “this group is a blessing, allowing me to see my daughter’s profession of occupational therapy provide support and care to her own brother.”