Now and next board: what it is and how to use it

What a now and next board is

A now and next board is a strip of card with two spaces. On the left, a picture of the current activity: now. On the right, a picture of the activity that follows: next. When the current activity is finished, the "next" picture moves to "now" and a new picture goes in the "next" space.

That is all. It does not show the whole day, only the two steps that matter most right now. For many people, that is exactly the point: enough to know what is coming, not so much that it becomes overwhelming.

Now and next or first and then?

You will see both names, and they are often used interchangeably. There is a small difference in how they are usually used:

Both use the same board. Many families use it as a now and next board most of the time and as a first-then board for the harder moments. Our guide to transition strategies has more on first-then.

When a now and next board helps

A now and next board is often a good choice for:

• Young children or people who are new to visual supports
• People who find a full schedule overwhelming, or who only look at the first picture anyway
• Hard moments, when a long schedule is too much to take in
• Transitions, when the question "what comes after this?" causes worry
• Places away from home, where a small, portable board is easier than a wall schedule
• People who are just starting to link pictures to meaning, where two pictures are easier than ten

It is also useful as a backup alongside a full schedule. On a difficult day, you can go back to just now and next.

How to make a now and next board

You need:

• A strip of stiff card, about the size of a sheet of paper folded lengthwise
• Two spaces, clearly marked "Now" and "Next" (or "First" and "Then")
• Velcro dots on the spaces and on the back of each picture
• Pictures for the activities you use most: photos, pictograms or small objects
• Optionally, a "finished" pocket or envelope for cards that are done

Laminate the board and the pictures so they last. Keep the pictures in a small box or on a strip on the back of the board, so you can find them quickly.

You can make the pictures in a few minutes with the free visual schedule maker: choose the pictograms, pick the "Cards" layout and print. Our guide to pictograms for visual schedules helps you choose clear pictures.

Tips for the board itself

• Keep "now" and "next" in the same place every time, left and right, or top and bottom.
• Use the same picture for the same activity, at home, at school and elsewhere.
• Make the "now" space stand out, for example with a colored border.
• Make it portable. A small board you can take in the car or to the shop is used more often.

Introducing it step by step

1. Start with an easy, positive pair. "Now shoes, next park." The "next" should be something the person likes and that you can deliver right away.
2. Point and say it. Point at "now", say the word. Point at "next", say the word. Keep it short.
3. Follow through immediately. When the shoes are on, go to the park. Move the picture so the person sees the change happen.
4. Mark the end. Put the finished card in the "finished" pocket or turn it over.
5. Repeat every day with the same pairs, especially at moments that happen daily: meals, bath, leaving the house.
6. Gradually add less preferred activities as "now", always followed by something reasonable as "next".
7. Let the person move the cards themselves when they are ready.

Most people need some time before the board makes sense to them. Use it consistently for a few weeks before deciding whether it works.

Examples

Notice that "next" does not always have to be a reward. In a now and next board, it simply shows what comes after. Using it only as a bribe can make every "next" feel like a negotiation.

Common mistakes

• Promising a "next" that does not happen. If "next park" turns into "next supermarket", the board loses its meaning. Only put things on it that you can deliver.
• Too many words. Point at the pictures and keep spoken words to a minimum.
• Only using it in difficult moments. The board works best as an everyday routine.
• A "now" that lasts too long. A long activity can make "next" feel very far away. A visual timer next to the board makes the remaining time visible.
• Adding a third and fourth picture too soon. Build up only when two steps are clearly working.

Moving on to a full schedule

When the person regularly looks at "next" without prompting, moves cards themselves and seems ready for more, you can extend the board:

1. Add a third space: now, next, then.
2. Make a strip with one part of the day, such as the morning.
3. Move on to a daily schedule with a few anchors.

Some people stay with now and next for years, and that is fine. Others move on quickly. Our guide to building an autism daily schedule explains the next steps.

Now and next on a watch

A paper board needs someone to move the cards. A smartwatch can show now and next by itself: a picture of the current activity, a countdown, a smaller picture of what comes next and a gentle vibration when it is time to switch. That is what GentleTime does. A parent or carer plans the day with pictograms, and the person follows it on an Apple Watch, a Wear OS watch or a phone. You can choose step by step, where the next activity only appears when the person taps Done, so there is no such thing as being late. Find out more about the autism planner.

Frequently asked questions

What is a now and next board?

A board with two spaces: a picture of what is happening now and a picture of what comes next. It shows the order of activities one step at a time, so the person knows what follows without having to take in a whole schedule.

Is a now and next board the same as a first-then board?

They use the same board and the terms are often used interchangeably. "Now and next" usually describes the order of the day; "first-then" usually pairs a less preferred activity with something the person looks forward to.

At what age can a child use a now and next board?

There is no fixed age. Many toddlers can follow a now and next board with real objects or photos. It also works for older children, teenagers and adults, in a form that suits their age.

How long does it take before a now and next board works?

That varies. Some people understand it within days, others need several weeks. Use it every day, keep it simple and follow through every time.

Can I use a now and next board with an autistic adult?

Yes. For adults it often looks different: a small card, a note on a phone or a watch showing the current and next activity. The principle stays the same.

Should the "next" always be something fun?

Not necessarily. On a first-then board, the "then" is usually something motivating. On a now and next board, "next" can be anything that comes after, as long as it really happens.