Observations of eating become the evaluative activity of last resort when a person refuses to do any other activity. People who are trying to hide a cognitive disability often avoid doing anything that would give them away. Many people will do craft projects because they have no face validity.
Key eating observations are included in the following descriptions.
Feeding Themselves
While they are all able to feed themselves, there are different qualities that characterize their eating habits. People operating within ACL 4 Low bend over their food and do not look at anyone else while seated at a small table that seats four people. Because they are unable to adjust the pressure they apply to a knife and fork, they have trouble cutting their food. The alternatives are pre-cutting or eating large pieces.
Their slow information processing speed is readily apparent in how long it takes them to eat a meal; two to three times normal in ACL 4.0 and within normal limits in ACL 5.4. Hurrying is not expected within ACL 4 Low.
Honoring their food choices is less confusing for them if the choices are limited to three visible possibilities on a divided plate within ACL 4 Low.
Filling a cup half full and checking food temperatures are good precautions done by someone else in ACL 4 Low. In ACL 4.4, they will see food spills but may not attempt to clean them up.
Pouring liquids too fast, tilting dishes being passed, picking up and dropping a hot plate are all problems observed within ACL 4.4 and below.
Meal Time
An awareness of mealtime enters the ACL scale with the appearance and smell of food in ACL 2. Food is a powerful motivator for obvious reasons. The clock is not apt to become a signal until ACL 5. Within ACL 4, meal time is apt to be signaled by sensory events in their surroundings or by feeling hungry. Independent arrival at the table / dining room may begin within ACL 4.4, especially when there are strong sensory cues and a hungry person.
Social Awareness
Eating and talking at the same time is not expected within ACL 4. They are apt to not say a word while they are at the table. If they do talk, they usually stop eating to talk.
Customary eating manners are apt to be ignored within ACL 4 Low, even when pointed out.
Special Diet
Meeting special dietary needs is influenced by how new the diet is to the person. Familiar special diets are recognized and followed about the same way as prior to the onset of a cognitive disability. A history of poor or non-compliance is common when you get to know the person.
In ACL 4 Low, they are likely to not understand why they have to conform to a new diet. Staff will have to monitor compliance with their diet.