How do I?
A list of useful links, showing techniques for performing basic living skills. Some are descriptions with
pictures, others are videos.
This list is presented as a convenience, and does not imply endorsement of any of these techniques by
Autism Housing Pathways. Autism Housing Pathways, its officers and directors, are not in any way
responsible for any negative consequences to life, health, finances or property resulting from using
these links. For a complete legal disclaimer, see:
http://autismhousingpathways.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/DocsLegalDisclaimer.pdf
Financial and identity:
How to write a check:
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Check
How to balance a checkbook:
http://www.wikihow.com/Balance-a-Checkbook
How to use an ATM:
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-an-ATM
http://classroom.synonym.com/steps-using-atm-11871.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PGEWejcmNU
How to check credit score:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
Things to do before your wallet or purse is lost or stolen (to prevent disaster if it is):
http://consumerist.com/2010/07/24/five-things-to-do-before-losing-your-wallet/
http://blog.iliumsoft.com/2006/11/20/please-dont-photocopy-your-wallet/ (play it safe and use a
home photocopier to do this, not one at a library or copy center)
What to do after your wallet or purse is lost or stolen:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/wallet-lost-stolen/story?id=18358398
How to prevent identity theft:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0272-how-keep-your-personal-information-secure
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/media/video-0023-five-ways-help-protect-your-identity (video and
transcript)
www.autismhousingpathways.org
How to cope with identity theft:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0005-identity-theft
https://www.identitytheft.gov/Steps
Community:
How to address an envelope:
http://www.abcteach.com/free/e/envelope_formatting.pdf
http://www.wikihow.com/Label-an-Envelope
How to enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE):
http://www.wikihow.com/Send-an-S.A.S.E.-%28Self-Addressed-Stamped-Envelope%29
How to send a letter by certified mail, and get legal proof it was received:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5866747_prepare-mail-certified-letter.html
How to pump gas:
http://www.wikihow.com/Pump-Gas
How to put air in car tires at a gas station:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfo5dKgQQYw
How to change a tire:
http://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Tire
Body and health:
What goes in a first aid kit:
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit/anatomy
How to treat a cut:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/presentations/100208_1.htm
How to ask for a doctor’s appointment:
https://englishcommunicationexercises.wordpress.com/making-a-doctors-appointment/ (examples)
How to insert a tampon:
http://www.newkidscenter.com/How-to-Use-a-Tampon-Real-Demonstration.html
http://www.theperiodblog.com/how-to-guides/how-to-insert-tampon/
How to do a breast self-exam:
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam/bse_steps
www.autismhousingpathways.org
Household:
Cleaning
How to clean a toilet:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-really-clean-your-toile-137156
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfDoGQ6urE0
How to clean a kitchen or bathroom:
http://autismhousingpathways.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Cleaning_rubric1.pdf
How to do laundry:
http://www.wikihow.com/Do-Laundry (2 methods; #2 is easier)
Cooking
Recipes:
Breakfast
How to boil water:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-boil-water.html (stove top)
Tea
http://www.tetleyusa.com/about-tea/tea-tips
Coffee
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Instant-Coffee (instant)
http://www.folgerscoffee.com/coffee-how-to/how-to-videos/how-to-make-coffee (coffee maker)
http://www.folgerscoffee.com/coffee-how-to/how-to-videos/how-to-use-k-cup (K-cup pod)
Cereal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh3zkzAbQL4
Instant oatmeal
http://www.quakeroats.com/products/hot-cereals/instant-oatmeal/variety-pack.aspx (scroll down
and click on “cooking instructions”)
Toast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJQpyIIV3-s
English muffins
http://youtu.be/IXQCJhw_quY
www.autismhousingpathways.org
Frozen waffles
http://www.ehow.com/how_8399772_cook-frozen-waffles-toaster.html (toaster)
http://www.livestrong.com/article/448232-how-to-cook-waffles-in-the-oven/ (oven)
http://www.livestrong.com/article/446249-how-to-cook-eggos-in-the-microwave/ (microwave)
French toast
http://www.food.com/recipe/basic-french-toast-147554
Scrambled eggs
http://www.incredibleegg.org/cooking-school/egg-cookery/microwave-scramble-eggs/ (microwave)
http://www.incredibleegg.org/cooking-school/egg-cookery/stovetop-scramble-eggs/ (frying pan)
Pancakes
http://youtu.be/5g2IXzuyTm4 (Aunt Jemima mix)
http://m.wikihow.com/Make-Bisquick-Mix-Pancakes (Bisquick mix)
Bacon
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/articles/how-to-make-bacon-in-the-microwave.html
(microwave)
Lunch
Peanut butter sandwich:
http://m.wikihow.com/Make-a-Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Sandwich
http://youtu.be/GX1EjqXAszM
Grilled cheese sandwich
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/americas-favorite-grilled-cheese-sandwich-52507.aspx
Ham and cheese sandwich with lettuce
http://youtu.be/hiUub1sQiLU
Soup
http://youtu.be/b7sTU6FDGaw (Campbell’s)
http://youtu.be/6RDHC1epWeE (Progresso)
http://www.livestrong.com/article/436268-how-to-microwave-soup/ (microwave)
Turkey spinach wrap
http://youtu.be/jUOfZum7HFo
www.autismhousingpathways.org
Smoothie
http://youtu.be/_dtXSFDbm0U (banana smoothie with whole milk)
http://youtu.be/-MriIwQ7vqo (green smoothie with water)
Dinner
Pasta (using a Lekue microwave pasta cooker)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYs7Jxm5y4Q
White rice (using a rice cooker)
http://www.marthastewart.com/951195/white-rice-rice-cooker
Hamburger (using a George Foreman grill) (also works for chicken or fish)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=5&v=-h1dtX6ovn4
Beef and baked beans stew (using a crockpot)
http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-cowboy-beef-baked-beans-stew-16546
Microwave Asian chicken, vegetable, and rice (using a microwave rice steamer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqK9--GaWNg
Macaroni and cheese (using a crockpot)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj4ihK36mNQ
How to keep food safe:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/basics/clean/index.html
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/basics/separate/index.html
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/basics/cook/index.html
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/basics/chill/index.html
How long to keep food:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/storagetimes.html
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/eggstorage.html
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/emergency/index.html
How to put out a grease fire:
http://www.wikihow.com/Put-out-a-Grease-Fire
Emergency
What to do when the power goes out:
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/emergencies/power-outage/
www.autismhousingpathways.org
What goes in an emergency kit:
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/be-prepared/kit/ (some items don’t apply to everyone; if
you don’t use something normally -- for example, a medical oxygen tank -- you don’t need one)
Plumbing
How to unstop a toilet:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-unclog-a-toilet-with-a-plunger.html (with a plunger)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-83k9m5C1Io (with a plunger)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXmMPcC6I7k (with an auger or toilet snake)
How to shut off the water supply to a sink:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCpHFewA3Ew
How to shut off the water supply to a toilet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGn_QHIfrhw
When to call a plumber:
http://www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com/blog/5-signs-you-need-to-call-a-plumber
Electrical
How to change a light bulb:
http://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Light-Bulb
How to reset a circuit breaker:
http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/home-improvement/electrical-wiring/how-to-reset-a-circuit-
breaker/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxVHkdp-kN4
How to reset a GFCI outlet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHIvy_zSQf8
When to call an electrician:
http://www.copper.org/consumers/copperhome/HomePlan/wiring/Tp10_rsns_elctrn.html
Household – other
How to hang a picture:
http://www.wikihow.com/Hang-a-Picture
Updated May 2017
www.autismhousingpathways.org
