First-Then board online: when one step is enough

By Natalia Jakubczyk-Gajewska · Last updated: October 23, 2026

A First-Then board shows two pictures: first the task, then the reward. It is the simplest visual support for "do this, then you get that", widely used in ABA and special education. It is often the step before a token board.

Open the board

What is a First-Then board?

A First-Then board is a two-part visual: "First" shows the task (shoes on), "Then" shows what follows (playground). The child sees one expectation and one reward, nothing else. It needs no reading and works with photos, icons or words. The idea behind it, reinforcement, is listed by AFIRM at UNC as an evidence-based practice for autistic learners. Our standalone First-Then board at first-then.app runs in the browser, free, with no account, and you can print it.

When is a First-Then board enough?

A First-Then board is enough when the task is short and the reward can follow right away. Good fits: one-step routines (brush teeth, then story), transitions (first car, then park), and a single demand in a session. If the child completes the task once the reward is clear, you do not need tokens.

When is a token board the next step?

A token board is the next step when one task is too long for one reward, or when you want to reinforce several small steps before the payout. Move up in stages: 3 slots (three small successes, then the reward), 5 slots, then 10 for a whole lesson or work period. Keep the reward visible on the board the whole time, exactly as on the First-Then board.

How do I switch from First-Then to tokens?

1. Keep the same reward the child already works for.
2. Open the free board, choose 3 slots with the 🎨 Style button under the board, and give the board a name.
3. Give a token for each small step of the old "First" task.
4. Trade the full board for the "Then". When 3 is easy, go to 5.

If the child stops before the board is full, go back one step: fewer slots, or the plain First-Then board again. Moving down is not a failure; it is how you find the right size.

Also available as an app: Token Board: ABA Reward Chart for iPhone, iPad and Mac keeps a separate board per child or activity, with 3 to 100 tokens and photo rewards.