Customer Reviews

Visual Recipes: A Cookbook for Non-Readers

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This cookbook is laid out entirely with pictorial and text descriptions on how to cook basic recipes. The step by step instructions are short, clear, and easy to understand. The book has 35 total recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, side orders, snacks, deserts, and drinks. It was written by Tabitha Orth specifically for people with autism and other developmental disabilities who are non readers so that they could become more independent in the kitchen. The book features full color glossy pictures, is hard bound, and is beautifully done.
The recipe for scrambled eggs first shows the completed plate of eggs. Then it has a picture with 2 eggs captioned "Get 2 Eggs". Next picture show two hands holding a cracked egg shell over a bowl with the egg in it, and is captioned "Crack egg into bowl". The next image is similar and says "Crack second egg". The recipe continues for 16 total steps, ending with a picture of someone scraping the eggs out of the pan onto a plate with a spatula which says "Put Eggs on Plate."
This is an excellent book for people who want to live independently and are able to cook, but are not able to follow the confusing instructions in a regular cookbook. Not only was I impressed, but I showed it to a group of professionals who work in supported employment, and several of them wanted to go right out and buy it.

Every parent of a develomentally disabled child worries about what the future holds. Will our children be able to care for themselves? Will they be able to live functional, independent lives?

Tabitha Orth's "Visual Recipes: A Cookbook for Non-Readers" offers a solution to one of the challenges a non-reader faces when moving into an independent life: the abililty to prepare meals.

Orth employs the use of visual sequencing to enable the non-reading cook to independently prepare simple recipes by following steps that are clearly depicted in pictures.

For anyone who has ever worried that their child will never gain independent living skills, this book represents a step in the right direction.

As the parent of two boys with autism, this book represents one of the most valuable teaching tools I have yet to purchase for my children.

Bravo, Ms. Orth!

A great book for young people who are non-readers to develop independent living skills for cooking. My only small gripe is that it doesn't show the equipment that is needed to do the recipe. I would recommend it!

There are so many uses for this one, from those who haven't mastered English to those who may never read. I first heard of this from the mother of an autistic child so there is that connection as well.


The recipes are healthy, easy to follow and contain a nice balance of food groups. Is it gourmet food? No, but anyone using this book won't starve and will learn how to make basic foods, both from scratch (oatmeal) or those that are convenience foods (Frozen potato patties). Grilled cheese sandwiches, which seem easy enough for most to make, are "explained" in photos and I was surprised to discover that my own technique improved with the visual aids.

Other foods include Spaghetti, pizza, corn dogs, baked chicken, hot chocolate, popcorn, rice, vegetables and more. As I noted, this is NOT "knock your socks off" gourmet cooking but for the child or adult who has trouble reading basic instructions or has memory issues and can't be taught how to cook the traditional way (parent to child, grandparent to child, whatever), this visual guide works well. It even helps with some stroke patients.

This one gets an A+ for teaching competency and independence.

I use this book with non verbal students who use adaptive equipment to cook. I like the way the pictures break the sequences down very specifically. It helps me to remember not to assume the stove temperature or the step of "turn the stove off". My frustration is with the use of name brands as visuals and in the written text. By using the specifics, it requires the user to modify the recipe before using it with students (if for instance you don't have "butter flavored" Crisco).
In my classroom we incorporate switch practice with highly motivating activities to move toward advocacy. The Visual Cookbook provides me with pre-printed, step by step directions for activities that we can easily set up.

I have a child with special needs and this is a great visual cookbook. The recipe directions are laid out step by step in pictures instead of words. My daughter loves to cook with me and this gives her something she can do herself and feel good about. She has made just some of the basics for now. Many of us take making a PB and J for granted. It's a big deal for my daughter to be able to look and follow the directions so she can do it herself. She has learned to use the microwave and toaster and has made toasted cheese sandwiches from this cookbook. There are many simple things like sandwiches and more complicated things that require some cooking on the stove. This book is truly wonderful for visual learners wanting to have more independence. I have ordered several for some of my daughter's schools she has attended. One of her speech therapist has a copy and a couple of her past special ed teachers. I just ordered another for her teacher this year who teaches more with life skills. They have a small kitchen in the class and cooking is something they work on for life skills.

This is a great book for any child with special needs. My daughter can't wait to cook now!

I operate a non-profit program, Canyon Verde, for adults who are diagnosed with developmental disabilities. There are few "ready made" materials that are appropriate for our clients, so my staff creates most of our learning curriculum. I was thrilled to find a visual cookbook, as we teach our clients basic cooking skills in our kitchen. The step-by-step guide is not only good for the adults we serve, but I also see it as a useful tool for any person who is challenged as a cook.

It is a "make no mistake" cook book and will be put to good use! Thank you for this great product!!

This is one of the best picture cookbooks I have ever seen. It uses actual photographs of each of the steps and it broken down very well. There is a good combination of simple recipes with recipes that use the stove, microwave, or boiling water. A great way to increase independence in the kitchen for people with disabilities.