ADAPTIVE SKILL IN THE KITCHEN: UNPACKING INFLUENCE IN HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (HFASD)

The Department of Social Welfare (JKM) in Malaysia has shown a steady rise in the number of children diagnosed with autism during the last 10 years, from 2013 to 2023. In conjunction with this growth, both public and private authorities have launched a number of programs and initiatives to construct autism centres throughout the state. The Institute Latihan Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (ILKBS) inclusive program offered a practical environment for students with autism to develop vital skills in communication, daily living, socialization, and motor functions, thereby enhancing cognitive abilities and sensory experiences while promoting societal inclusion and independent living. This study aims to investigate the elements that influence adaptive behaviour in culinary training programs for individuals with high functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD). A qualitative approach was used, with a case study of IKTBN Bukit Mertajam. Three (3) participants with HFASD were observed for 18 weeks. Nvivo 14 software was then used to analyse the data using content analysis. The findings identified four (4) major themes on the elements that impact adaptive behaviour: (1) Observational Learning in Practices; (2) Peer influence (3) Positive Reinforcement and Behavioural Changes; (4) Self-regulation in Kitchen Based Task. This finding would provide substantial insight to the food service and education sectors, enabling culinary programs to better support students with special needs by identifying the motivating aspects that enhance performance in social, conceptual, and practical skills. This study also elucidates about culinary training, which holds A potential to be a mult0focus solution for not only diet quality movement but also can improve quality of life among individual HFASD.