The Menu Task

The Menu Task is a brief, transdiagnostic, performance-based screening measure of functional cognition. Functional cognition is defined as an individual’s “… ability to use and integrate thinking and performance skills to accomplish … everyday activities” (Giles et al., 2017, p.1). Performance-based measures of functional cognition typically take the form of a simulated instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) task (Giles et al., 2017; Wolf et al., 2019). The Menu Task is a screening measure intended to help identify those at risk for functional cognitive impairment and who may need more comprehensive assessment (Al-Heizan, 2019; Al-Heizan et al., 2022; Edwards et al., 2019; Marks et al., 2021). Further testing with an appropriate measure of functional cognition may identify impairment severe enough to compromise IADL essential for community independence, triggering further occupational therapy intervention or other support services. As of 2026 the Menu Task has been evaluated in both community and acute care settings. Further work is required to evaluate the need for age or education scoring adjustments and Menu Task developers may institute new scoring guidelines in the future.

As of 2026 the downloadable version of the Menu Task has revised graphics and a score sheet that is easier to complete. In this version we have added post Menu Task questions that may provide the test administrator further information about how the test taker went about completing the Menu Task (Giles et al., 2023).   Other aspects of the Menu Task are unchanged.

The Menu Task is provided for those with appropriate training and experience in test administration to use as a screening measure of functional cognition. You may reprint the test forms and instructions. However, you may NOT alter the test questions or scoring in any way.

Thank you for your interest in The Menu Task. As researchers we are interested in knowing who is using the Menu Task and for what purpose.  To download The Menu Task we are asking you to complete a form containing the information we need regarding you, your institution, and your intended use for The Menu Task:

By filling out this form, you are agreeing to potentially be contacted in the future with a survey about the use of The Menu Task. We will not be sharing your information with anyone outside of our research team. The information collected will be stored on a password protected computer inside of a locked office that can only be accessed by members of our research time.

References:

Al-Heizan, M. O. (2019). Screening for functional cognitive deficits in community dwelling older adults (Publication Number 13856906) University of Wisconsin – Madison]. DAI-B 80/08(E), Dissertation Abstracts International.

Al-Heizan, M. O., Marks, T. S., Giles, G. M., & Edwards, D. F. (2022). Further validation of the Menu Task: Functional cognition screening for older adults. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 42(4), 286-294. https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492221110546

Edwards, D. F., Wolf, T. J., Al-Heizen, M. O., Marks, T., Maloney, S. E., Larkin, V., Padesky, B. L., Spiers, M., & Giles, G. M. (2019). Reliability and validity of a functional cognition screening tool to identify the need for occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(2), 7302205050p7302205051-7302205050p7302205010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.028753

Giles, G. M., Edwards, D. F., Morrison, M. T., Baum, C., & Wolf, T. J. (2017). Screening for functional cognition in postacute care and the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation (IMPACT) Act of 2014. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71, 7105090010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2017715001

Giles, G. M., Marks, T. S., & Edwards, D. F. (2023). Loss-of-set and strategy application on the Menu Task: An exploratory study. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 90(4), 413-422. https://doi.org/10.1177/00084174231175018

Marks, T. S., Giles, G. M., Al-Heizan, M. O., & Edwards, D. F. (2021). Screening to assessment pathways in evaluating functional cognition in older adults. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 41(4), 275-284. https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492211021851

Wolf, T. J., Edwards, D. F., & Giles, G. M. (2026). Functional cognition and occupational therapy: A practical approach to treating individuals with cognitive loss. (2^nd Edition). AOTA Press.

Here are links to YouTube videos of correct and errorful performance of the Menu Task:

Correct performance

Performance with errors