First–then board

A big first–then board — what happens first, and what comes then — with a short plan for six steps of the day and eight simple pictures to cut out. Or leave the boxes empty and draw your own.

PDF, US Letter61 KB PDF, A462 KB

1 page · black and white · no sign-up

First–then board with a short day plan, filled in by a fictional family — Example. A fictional family’s evening board and day plan.

Why it helps

Many autistic children cope better when they can see what happens now and what comes next. A first–then board shows two steps; a visual schedule shows the day. Your own drawings or photos of your own home often work better than generic symbols — the sheet leaves room for both.

What is on the sheet

One page: two large boxes, First and Then, each with space for a picture and a word; a “Today” plan with six numbered boxes and a “done” tick; and a strip of eight pictures to cut out — eat, bath, brush teeth, sleep, play, outside, car, school. For a whole day, see the visual schedule.

How to use a first–then board

Choose two steps for the board: something to do first, and something your child looks forward to.
Draw, glue a photo or use a picture from the strip. Write the word your child uses.
Show the board before the first step starts, and point to it again when it is done.
For the day, fill in the six boxes in order and tick each one when it is done.

When to show it to a specialist

If your child sees a speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist or a special-education teacher, show them the board — they may already use certain pictures at school, and the same pictures at home help. Ask before changing a system your child already knows.

Questions parents ask

What is a first–then board?

A board with two boxes: first a task, then something your child wants. It makes the order clear and shows that the nice thing is coming.

What should go in “then”?

Something your child really wants and can have right after: a game, a snack, the park. Keep the “first” short at the start.

What if my child refuses the “first”?

Make the first step smaller and show the board before you start, not in the middle of an argument. Some children need a first–then–then board or a token board.

First–then board or visual schedule?

A first–then board shows two steps; a visual schedule shows a whole part of the day. Many children start with first–then and move on to a schedule.

These sheets are for observations. They do not diagnose and do not replace your child’s doctor or specialist.