RoutineKit

First then board

Two big pictures: first the task, then the good thing. The simplest visual support there is, and often the one that gets a stuck child moving.

First, then (2)
Look & print settings
First, then
FirstShoes on
ThenPark

In the print dialog choose Save as PDF for a file, and turn on Background graphics to keep the colours. Your chart saves automatically in this browser.

How to use a first–then board

  1. Pick one task and one motivator. The task should be short; the motivator should be available immediately.
  2. Show the board and say it once: “First shoes, then park.” Then point instead of repeating.
  3. Deliver the “then” right away when the task is done. That reliability is what gives the board its power.
  4. Grow it slowly: first–then–last, then a short visual schedule.

Print it landscape, laminate, and keep a small set of routine cards with Velcro so you can swap the pictures on the spot.

Questions parents ask

What is a first–then board?

A two-picture visual support: the task that needs to happen first, and the thing that comes after. It makes “first shoes, then park” something a child can see instead of just hear.

Who is a first–then board for?

Toddlers, preschoolers and children with autism, ADHD or language delays, or anyone who finds it hard to start a less-preferred task or to hold a spoken instruction in mind. It is often the first visual support therapists introduce, before a full visual schedule.

What should go in the “then” box?

Something your child genuinely wants that can happen right after, like a favourite toy, the park or a snack. The “then” must actually happen, or the board stops working.

Can I add a third step?

Yes. Add a third picture to make a first–then–last board. More than three and it is better to use a visual schedule.

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