Imagine a young adult in the kitchen, determined to prepare a meal for themselves. Their hands shake as they try to grip the knife, but the tomato they’re slicing starts rolling away across the cutting board. All they want is to do it themselves—be independent—but the thought of asking for help only adds to their frustration. Will they ever be able to tackle this on their own? 

For students at Aspire Living & Learning Academy (ALL Academy) in Trumbull, Connecticut, that “I-can-do-it-myself” moment is becoming a reality.  

Taylor Knouse-Selk, M.S., CCC-SLP, a speech and language pathologist at ALL Academy, noticed while students wanted to cook, traditional kitchen tools weren’t cutting it. Tasks like slicing, stirring, and holding ingredients steady often needed adult support, making it harder for students to participate. With her background in assistive technology, Taylor saw an opportunity to help.  

“I wanted to find a way for students to engage more fully in cooking—where they felt capable and in control, rather than dependent on someone else,” she explains. This led her to apply for a grant through the Aspire Community Giving Fund to purchase adaptive cooking tools tailored to meet students where they are and help them feel more confident in the kitchen. 

Through the grant, ALL Academy was able to introduce a variety of adaptive tools, making everything from food prep to cleanup more manageable. The tools range in complexity and price, ensuring they’re accessible for the classroom and potentially affordable for families to use at home. The goal is simple: as students become more comfortable using them at school, they can continue practicing these vital skills at home. 

Here’s a look at the tools helping students feel more confident in the kitchen: 

• Utensils: Weighted utensils, foam grips, and easy-grip holders to support comfortable eating. 

• Food Preparation: Automatic choppers, safe knives, and one-handed cutting boards make prepping ingredients easier. 

• Opening Containers: Electric can openers, jar openers, and can grips help with opening items safely. 

• Measuring: Auto measurers for oil and spices simplify precise cooking. 

• Serving & Cleaning: Suction plates, non-slip bowls, and auto soap dispensers ensure smooth serving and cleanup. 

Some of these tools might look familiar, like easy-grip holders or electric can openers. Many of these items are designed to simplify everyday tasks, much like the assistive technology we all use daily without giving it much thought. Whether it’s a voice assistant, a smartphone, or GPS, we rely on technology to make life easier.  

Students in the transition program are gaining confidence as they develop cooking skills and practice kitchen safety using the new adaptive cooking tools. But the impact extends beyond the classroom—these skills are helping students apply what they’ve learned to daily life, boosting their independence in and out of the kitchen. 

For Ben, a student at ALL Academy, the difference is clear. “I like using the mechanical can opener and the quick chopper for chopping carrots. These tools make it easier to open cans and prepare ingredients,” he shared. And he’s putting those skills to good use—he recently made Italian wedding soup for the school’s Bee’s Nest Cafe.  

These hands-on experiences prepare students like Ben for the transition to adulthood. For some, that might mean cooking a healthy meal while living on their own, pitching in with the family meals, or even exploring careers in food service. With the right tools and support, students at ALL Academy are taking charge of their futures, one skill at a time.