First-Then boards

Escape
A simple visual support showing a non-preferred activity followed immediately by a preferred activity.

A First-Then board is the most basic form of a visual schedule. It strips away all other information to focus on a single contingency: 'First you do this (the demand), then you get this (the reinforcer).'

You use this strategy when a learner needs clear, immediate motivation to complete a task and struggles to understand delayed reinforcement. It makes the payoff for compliance explicitly clear. If they are refusing to wash their hands, a First-Then board showing 'First wash hands, Then iPad' clearly communicates the expectation and the reward.

Practitioners often fail by making the 'First' task too long or difficult. The power of a First-Then board relies on the learner accessing the 'Then' relatively quickly. If 'First' is an hour of math, the board loses its effectiveness. Another common mistake is not actually delivering the 'Then' item immediately after the 'First' task is complete. The delivery must be immediate to build trust in the contingency.

Implementation

  1. Identify a non-preferred task (First) and a highly preferred item or activity (Then).
  2. Place visuals representing both on the First-Then board.
  3. Show the board to the learner and state the contingency simply: 'First work, then iPad.'
  4. Prompt the learner through the 'First' task if necessary.
  5. Immediately provide access to the 'Then' item upon completion.

Common Mistakes

  • Making the 'First' task too long or too difficult.
  • Failing to deliver the 'Then' item immediately.
  • Using a 'Then' item that is not actually highly preferred by the learner at that moment.