1. Attempt to determine which is the student's dominant hand by observing his or her preferences when reaching for objects.
2. Assist the student in making balls of clay about 2 inches in diameter. Place two or three of these balls in a bowl and assist the student in piercing a ball with a fork, moving the ball to another bowl, and scraping off (using the edge of the receiving bowl) the ball. Gradually reduce the ball size to about 1/2 inch and reduce the physical prompting. (Note. If the bowl slips too much, attempt to place it on a nonskid mat.)
3. Replace the clay in Step 1 with food items of approximately 1/2 inch in size.
4. Carefully, with physical guidance, assist the student in placing food into his or her mouth and closing lips around the fork. Reduce guidance as opportunities allow.
5. Assist the student in removing the fork from his or her mouth. Reduce guidance as opportunities allow.
6. Verbally prompt the student to chew and swallow as needed. If problems such as choking occur, contact appropriate professional or medical staff for assistance.