First-Then Board for Autism
Two pictures, one message: what happens now, and what happens next. The simplest visual support there is — and often the most effective.
The smallest visual support that works
A first-then board reduces a whole negotiation to two images: first the required activity, then the motivating one. It removes the ambiguity that drives most refusals — the child can see that the demand ends and something good follows. Use it for transitions, hygiene routines, homework and leaving the park. AutismDock lets you pick both images from a pictogram library or your own photos, add a timer to the 'first' step, and print the board so the same visual travels between home, school and therapy.
Key benefits
Two steps only
No cognitive overload.
Optional timer
Shows when 'first' ends.
Own photos
Real objects beat generic icons.
Printable
Fridge, folder or classroom wall.
What's included
- First-then board with pictograms or photos.
- Optional visual countdown timer.
- Voice prompt reading both steps aloud.
- Print-ready PDF export.
- Saved presets for recurring transitions.
- Expands into a full visual routine.
- Calm pastel visuals, no flashing.
- Free to use on any device.
Frequently asked questions
What is a first-then board?+
A two-cell visual showing a required activity followed by a preferred one, making the sequence and its ending concrete.
When should I use it?+
For transitions and non-preferred tasks: first shoes, then park; first brush teeth, then story.
Is it the same as a reward chart?+
No. A token board accumulates over time; a first-then board is immediate and covers a single sequence.
What if the child refuses anyway?+
Check the 'then' is genuinely motivating and immediately available, and shorten the 'first' step. Refusal usually means the demand is too large, not that the board failed.
Can I print it?+
Yes, export a print-ready PDF so home and school use the same board.