A First Then Board Takes Five Minutes to Make and Changes the Morning

The visual tools your child’s therapy team uses at the clinic work at your kitchen table too, and most of them cost nothing but a phone camera and a strip of Velcro.

September 14, 2026

By the Haim ABA Team

Your child sits on the rug with a tablet. Shoes need to go on in four minutes. A first then board displays two pictures on one page: the present activity and the next one. It turns those four minutes into a visual sequence instead of a verbal instruction. It does not make putting on shoes fun. However, it makes the task predictable, which is usually what was missing.

The Visual Schedule Autism Parents Usually Try First

Most parents start with the whole morning routine. They tape seven sequential pictures to the fridge at eye level, covering wake-up to the car door. It works for about three days. Then, your child stops looking at it, because seven steps is too much information for 7:10 a.m.

The visual schedule ABA therapists build in session usually starts with two steps. It expands only after two steps become easy. That is all a first then board is: the shortest functional schedule. If you want the underlying reasoning, our page on what ABA actually teaches explains how therapists break skills into smaller steps.

Build it using two cardstock squares, a strip of Velcro, and phone photos. Photos of your own bathroom and car beat clip art every time. Your child needs to recognize the actual object, not decode a drawing. Laminate the board to make it last longer.

None of this requires specialized or unusual equipment. According to the CDC’s autism data, the CDC identifies about 1 in 31 children as having autism spectrum disorder. This statistic highlights how common these practical tools have become in everyday homes.

The CDC lists following strict routines and experiencing distress over minor changes among diagnostic criteria. Consider this point carefully, as it changes how you view a board. You are not debating your child’s preferences. You are providing essential information in an accessible format without triggering a confrontation.

Building a Token Board ABA Teams Use for Longer Stretches

A token board features a row of empty spaces. Your child earns one mark at a time. When they fill the row, they receive the chosen reward. It extends the first then board concept for longer activities.

ABA teams usually start token boards with three spaces rather than ten. Three spaces allow a four-year-old to clearly see the goal. You can add more spaces later after several successful attempts.

Let your child choose the reward before starting: two songs, the backyard swing, or ten minutes of tablet time. Never remove an earned token. Taking one away destroys trust in the system, turning the tool into useless cardboard.

In plain terms, reinforcement is any consequence that increases a behavior’s frequency. Timing matters more than size. Seeing what a session looks like often makes this concept clearer than reading about it.

When a Calm Down Corner Helps, and When It Backfires

A calm down corner works when your child chooses to use it. It stops working if you send them there as a consequence.

Set up the space on an ordinary afternoon when everyone is calm. Include a beanbag, weighted blanket, headphones, and one fidget toy. Adding more items creates unnecessary decision fatigue. Practice using the space twice daily while calm, as no one learns new skills during a meltdown.

The corner is a refuge to request, not a punishment area. Teaching the request—using a card, word, or sign—builds lasting skills. Our post on sensory sensitivities at home explains the underlying needs this space addresses.

The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes this approach. Children thrive when routines are regular, predictable and consistent. A reliable calm down corner provides a dedicated safe spot in your living room.

The Social Stories Autism Parents Can Write in Ten Minutes

Custom social stories often work better than store-bought ones. You can include your actual waiting room, specific chairs, and real staff names.

Keep the story to five or ten sentences in the present tense. Focus mainly on descriptive statements: the chair reclines, the light is bright, I can hold mom’s hand. Limit instructions to a single sentence near the end.

Read the story several times in advance, not in the parking lot right before entering. Reading it at the door creates unnecessary anxiety. Pair the story with a first then board at the destination so expectations match.

Autism Visual Supports That Travel Outside the House

Visual supports often fail outside the house because parents leave them attached to the refrigerator. Portable options include keeping six photos on a keyring or saving a dedicated photo album on your phone.

Focus your travel kit on actual trouble spots rather than theoretical ones. Include the grocery checkout, car seat, waiting room, and haircut. Add one photo for each step in order, ending with a photo of what happens next.

• A photo of where you are going, taken the last time you were there
• A first then pair for the hard part and the thing that follows it
• A timer your child can watch counting down
• One photo of home, making the end of the outing clear from the start

Haim ABA’s clinic is at 2450 Atlanta Hwy in Cumming, Georgia. The team also supports families in homes, schools, and community settings across surrounding counties. Generalizing skills across different environments is central to our therapeutic approach.

Where Families Come From Across Cumming and the Surrounding Counties

Families travel to our Cumming clinic via GA-400, and we provide home and school sessions throughout the region. Our service area includes Forsyth County (Cumming, Coal Mountain, Big Creek), Fulton County (Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, Milton, Atlanta), Cherokee County (Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs), Gwinnett County (Lawrenceville, Duluth, Suwanee, Buford, Sugar Hill), Cobb County (Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna, Acworth), Hall County (Gainesville, Flowery Branch, Oakwood), and DeKalb County (Decatur, Dunwoody, Brookhaven). Visit our locations page for full address details.

When a visual board stops working, the board itself is rarely the problem. Usually, the reward lost its appeal, the expectations increased unexpectedly, or the visual steps became too complex. Data tracking pinpoints the exact cause, whereas static printables cannot adapt.

Talk With Us About What Your Child Needs Next

These strategies adapt the clinical tools that a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) designs using data-driven methods. Our work centers on Kind ABA™, applying behavior analysis rooted in empathy, authentic connection, and respect for each child. To explore Kind ABA for your child, TAKE THE QUIZ to match with a program, or call 855-511-HAIM (4246).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does insurance cover ABA therapy at Haim ABA?

Most families utilize insurance coverage. Benefits depend on your specific plan and prior authorization—the insurance approval required before starting therapy. Our coverage and payers page lists accepted plans, including Georgia Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids. Have your member ID ready when you call so we can verify details together.

Does Haim ABA serve families in Alpharetta and Forsyth County?

Yes. Forsyth County families are closest to the clinic, and Alpharetta is roughly a half hour south on GA-400 outside of rush hour. The Georgia clinic page describes the service area in more detail.

What ages does Haim ABA work with?

We work with children and young adults ages 2 to 21. We emphasize early intervention for children ages 2 to 5, targeting key developmental windows. Our clinic overview details our early childhood room environments.

Is center-based or in-home ABA better for teaching visual tools?

We typically recommend combining both settings. Therapists teach visual tools first in the controlled clinic setting, then transition them to the home environment. This process promotes skill generalization across settings. Read our post on center-based therapy in Georgia to compare setting options.

What happens after I reach out to Haim ABA?

You will speak with our team, schedule a child assessment, and review a customized BCBA plan before starting therapy. The overall timeline typically depends on insurance authorization processing. Our intake process outlines each step of the journey.

How long should we keep using a first then board?

Use the board until your child naturally transitions without it, often by verbally describing the routine steps independently. You can maintain visual tools for particularly challenging transitions as long as needed. Our parent training sessions guide families on fading or maintaining visual supports effectively.

Related Reading

• ABA therapy at the Cumming clinic
• Why routine changes feel so big
• Helping your child handle strong feelings
• The thinking behind Kind ABA

Sources

American Academy of Pediatrics, The Importance of Family Routines

CDC, Autism Data and Statistics