1. Place on yourself an oversized shin or blouse and has demonstrate and explain to the student the activity that will be taught.
2. Practice grasping and picking up loose buttons. If difficulties are observed, use larger buttons at first and gradually reduce the size until the button is similar to the ones on the shirt or blouse to be used. After picking up is mastered, guide the student to hold the button by the sides.
3. Using motor-imitation abilities (COG 11) create a game of "shooting buttons" into a bowl by holding a button between the thumb and fingertip, squeezing and releasing the finger in a way that causes the button to shoot toward a target such as a bowl. Continue this concept with the student's eyes closed. If problems occur in this exercise, move the placement of the button to between the first and second knuckles, as this may be easier.
4. Using the skill from Step 3, have the student grasp the button on an oversized shirt that has been buttoned on him or her. Guide to perform unbuttoning, starting at the top button. Reduce physical and/or gestural prompts to just a total-task verbal request.