Take this further with Beacon
Want personalized help? Beacon knows your child and gives guidance specific to them.
Free First-Then Board Maker
Make a First-Then board in a minute. Set the task and the reward, add a picture of each, and choose the wording your family uses: First/Then, Now/Next, or the three-step First/Next/Then. When it is ready, download a printable board plus a matching sheet of cards to cut out and Velcro on. No sign-up to start building.
How to make a First-Then board
- Choose the board style: First/Then, Now/Next, or First/Next/Then.
- Type the task in the first spot and the reward in the last spot, such as Math, then iPad time.
- Add a picture to each spot from the symbol library or a photo of the real thing.
- Pick your page size and orientation, then download the printable. It is two pages: the board, and a matching sheet of cards.
- Print and laminate both pages, cut out the cards, and add a Velcro dot to each card and each board slot so cards can be swapped between rounds.
First-Then boards and other visual supports
A First-Then board focuses on the very next step, while other visual supports show more of the day. When your child is ready for several steps in order, build a routine with the Visual Schedule Creator or the Routine Builder. To reward effort over several steps, pair it with a token board, and to give your child a way to communicate wants, make a set of PECS cards. The same picture cards work across all of them.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a First-Then board?
- A First-Then board is a simple visual support with two spots: first the task your child needs to do, then the reward or preferred activity they get afterward. It makes a promise concrete and easy to see, so a child knows exactly what is expected and what is coming next. It is one of the most common visual supports in autism and ABA.
- How do you use a First-Then board?
- Put a picture of the task in the First spot and a picture of the reward in the Then spot. Show your child the board, point to First and name the task, then point to Then and name the reward. As soon as the task is done, move to Then and let your child have the reward right away. Keeping the reward immediate is what makes the board work.
- When should I use a First-Then board instead of a full schedule?
- Use a First-Then board when you need to get through one hard moment or transition, like finishing a task before a preferred activity. It keeps the focus on the very next step, which is less overwhelming than a whole-day view. When your child is ready to see several steps in order, a full visual schedule is the better fit.
- What is the difference between First-Then and Now-Next?
- They are the same tool with different wording. First-Then is common in the United States, while Now-Next is used in many schools and settings in the UK and elsewhere. This maker lets you choose whichever wording your family or school already uses, so the board matches what your child sees everywhere else.
- What is a First-Next-Then board?
- A First-Next-Then board adds a middle step, so it shows three spots instead of two. It works well for short routines, such as first use the toilet, next wash hands, then get a sticker. Choose the First/Next/Then style in this maker to build the three-step version.
- Where do the picture cards come from?
- The download includes them. Page one is the board, and page two is a sheet of matching cards for the activities you chose. Print both pages, laminate them, and cut out the cards. Because the cards are the same size as the slots on the board, a Velcro dot on each card lines up with a Velcro dot on each slot, so you can swap cards between rounds. You can also add your own PECS cards.
- Can I print and reuse the same board?
- Yes. Download the print-ready pages, print them, and laminate them or cover them with clear tape. Add small Velcro dots so the cards can be placed and cleared again for the next round. You can also print the blank board on its own and write in each step by hand.