How to Introduce a Now and Next Board for Autism

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A lot of parents buy a now and next board with the best intentions, only for it to end up sitting on the side, barely used. If that's happened to you, it doesn't mean the tool doesn't work, or that your child "just isn't a visual learner." More often than not, it just needs introducing in a slightly different way.

What a Now and Next Board Actually Does

A now and next board is a simple, two-part visual: one slot for what's happening right now, one for what's coming after. Instead of relying on your child to remember what you told them five minutes ago, they've got something to check whenever they need to. It's a small tool, but it does a specific job well, particularly for short, two-step transitions that tend to catch children off guard.

Before You Start, a Few Things Worth Thinking About

It helps to consider how your child currently takes in information. Some children respond best to real photographs, others to simple symbols or written words, and it's worth picking whichever format your child already understands rather than the one that looks nicest.

It's also worth choosing an easy, low-stakes transition to introduce the board with first, rather than the hardest moment of your day. Save the school run or bedtime battle for once the board is already a familiar part of the routine.

Introducing It Step by Step

Start with one simple, predictable transition, something like "now snack, next park" is a good place to begin. Use the same short, consistent phrase every time you refer to the board, so your child starts to link the words to the picture without having to relearn it each time.

Let your child physically move or remove the "now" card themselves once that part is finished, rather than doing it for them, since this is often where the sense of understanding really clicks into place.

Acknowledge it when they check the board or complete the transition well, even with something as simple as a smile or a quick "well done." Once it feels familiar, use it consistently everywhere it's needed, at home, at grandparents', at school, so it means the same thing no matter where your child sees it.

Common Reasons It Doesn't "Click" Straight Away

If a now and next board hasn't worked in the past, it's often down to one of a few things: it was introduced during the most difficult transition of the day rather than an easy one, the language around it kept changing, or it was expected to work instantly rather than with a bit of repetition.

Like most visual supports, it tends to take a little time and consistency before your child starts checking it on their own, rather than being something you point to.

One thing that made a real difference for us was giving our son's visuals a design he actually liked, rather than something plain and functional. It's a small thing, but it's exactly why our now and next boards come in themes children ask for by name, not just a generic laminated chart.

If you're ready to give one a proper go, take a look at our range of now and next boards, each personalised with your child's name and a theme they'll actually want to use.

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