First-Then Using the Premack PrincipleĪ first-then board can be a powerful tool to help a student complete a task they often resist. This organization system worked well because his daily activity schedules, the set of pictures to use for his first-then board, his token boards and tokens, and his schedule board (on the front of the notebook) as well as his data sheets were all handy in the notebook that he took with him to different classes.

The student has a full day schedule on the front of the notebook and the first-then is used when a problem is anticipated. The first then board is part of the set of tools his staff use and they keep their tools in a zip up canvas notebook (e.g., Trapper Keeper) so they are readily at hand. In the picture above, the first-then board is used to show a student that sitting in his PE class will result in a reward from his token board. Organizing Behavioral Supports for Travel in School Doing this could inadvertently reinforce the negative behavior (because it creates a reinforcement opportunity out of a problem). Ideally it is best to use them proactively avoid having adding the preferred activity (then) in when there is a problem. We use them proactively (before a problem) and when a student refuses to complete a task. The premack principle states that a low probability behavior can be reinforced by a high probability behavior. In this case we are using the first-then board to prevent problem behavior based on the Premack principle. We often will use this type of first-then schedule on a board like the one below.

In that case, we present the thing we want them to do in the “first” and the thing they want to do in the “then.” The idea is to show them a preferred activity or a possible reinforcer to motivate them to complete the thing they don’t want to do. Sometimes we use them for behavior supports, such as when we think (or know) that an individual doesn’t want to do something we want them to do. We typically use them in different ways depending on the student.

It can be done with pictures, objects, in writing, or using apps. Simply put, it just presents what we need to do now (first) and what we will do next (then). First-then schedules are some of the simplest types of visual supports that we use with students with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs.

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