Activities of Daily Living, in general

Walking: By 12 months, Children can use a spoon appropriately, hold and drink from an open cup, and cooperate with dressing

Feeding themselves By 24–36 months, children should be able to use a spoon, eat different food textures, and express their food preferences, Children can dress and undress with help, brush their teeth with supervision, and use the toilet with help

Toileting: By age 5

Self-dressing: By age 6

Personal hygiene: By age 8–10, but they may still need help

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Ages 4-7

  • Learn to style own hair
  • Pick out own clothes
  • Dress for the weather: For example, if it’s cold, you’ll need a jacket or coat
  • Make the bed
  • Clean up toys
  • Put dirty clothes in hamper
  • Help to set and clear the table
  • Help carry and put away groceries
  • Help feed pets or walk the dog
  • Learn to cut own food with a knife
  • Open own containers
  • Retrieve simple snacks from known location
  • Help with meal prep by pouring, stirring and mixing

Ages 8-12

  • Help to prepare simple meals
  • Learn to make snacks and easy meals such as a PB&J sandwich
  • Learn to use the microwave
  • Help to load and unload the dishwasher
  • Fold clothes
  • Learn to sweep the floors and vacuum with supervision
  • Begin to pack own backpack and organize schoolwork
  • Help to pack lunch
  • Learn to use a calendar/planner to keep track of assignments and important dates
  • Identify money
  • Save money for special treat
  • Learn to make a phone call

Ages 13-15

  • Learn to use the stovetop and oven with supervision
  • Prepare simple meals
  • Help to make grocery lists
  • Help with grocery shopping
  • Be responsible for one or two weekly chores
  • Manage own homework
  • Start waking up to an alarm versus Mom and Dad
  • Money management: determining how much something will cost, if you have enough money to purchase, and if there should be change
  • Discuss body changes

Ages 16-18

  • Learn to make healthy meal choices including portion sizes and food selection.
  • Follow a simple recipe independently.
  • Learn the importance of safety regarding sexuality as well as the dangers of drugs and alcohol
  • Begin job training or other volunteer opportunities
  • Learn to be safe in the community: getting to familiar locations and using a navigation app on smart phone for directions
  • Begin to manage own schedule, being punctual, and time accountable