Give your students clear expectations and motivating visual support with this First-Then Token Board System designed for autism, ABA therapy, and special education classrooms. This resource includes 10 printable First-Then boards, 7 token style choices, and 30 motivator visual cards—perfect for behavior reinforcement, task completion, transitions, and classroom routines.
These ready-to-use visual supports helps students understand what comes next, stay on task, and build independence. Ideal for autism classrooms, resource teachers, ABA therapists and SLPs.
Perfect for SPED, autism support, ABA, and behavior management
Perfect For
Autism support classrooms
ABA therapy sessions
Special Education teachers
Behavior intervention plans
Visual schedules and routines
Task completion and transitions
Reinforcement systems
Early childhood + Not Grade Specific
This printable First-Then Token Board is a must-have for autism support and special education! Visual schedules, motivator choices, and token options all included.
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✔ Supports communication for nonverbal or minimally verbal learners ✔ Reduces challenging behaviors by clarifying expectations ✔ Increases student motivation and independence ✔ Flexible use with ANY classroom routine ✔ Easy to print, laminate, and reuse
Help preschoolers learn how to use their body safely with this simple, engaging social skills story! This Interactive “Safe Body” Narrative has been designed especially for young learners, uses clear language and supportive visuals to teach the importance of keeping hands, teeth and feet to ourselves in a positive and age-appropriate way.
This Resource is Perfect for:
* Preschool and Pre-K * Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) * Social-emotional learning (SEL) * Behavior support and classroom Expectations
What’s Included in this download:
* Easy-to-read social story (kid-friendly text)
* Visual supports on every page, some detachable
* Printable low prep with some Adaptable pages
* The visuals used in the story ready to print to wear on a lanyard or keyring
* Behavior cards to sort into good or bad choices
* Great for whole-group lessons, small groups, or one-on-one use
This resource helps teachers, therapists, and parents gently guide children through real-life situations where they can make safe and kind choices. Great for supporting classroom expectations or helping individual students who need extra practice.
Why you’ll Love It: * Clear visuals support comprehension * Repetitive and predictable text builds confidence * Easy to print, laminate, or use digitally * Portable visuals
Start building safe habits with this friendly, visual social story your kids will love!
Teaching in my autism classroom is about more than academics — it’s about helping students build the functional learning skills they need to thrive in everyday life. These are the real-world abilities that foster independence, communication, and social participation.
What Are Functional Learning Skills?
Functional learning skills are practical, teachable skills that students use in their daily routines and community life.
Examples include:
Daily Living Skills – brushing teeth, making snacks, dressing for the weather
Communication Skills – asking for help, greeting others, using AAC or visuals
Social Skills – turn-taking, sharing, recognizing emotions
Functional Skills – counting money, reading signs, telling time
Community Skills – shopping, following safety rules, using transportation
Why Functional Learning Matters
For many students with autism or developmental disabilities, functional learning creates the bridge between classroom lessons and real-world independence. When we teach academics through hands-on, meaningful activities, students learn how to apply those concepts in their everyday lives.
Example: Instead of simply counting objects, have students count coins to buy a snack during a class store or community outing.
Strategies to Support Functional Learning
Embed Skills in Daily Routines Use transitions, meal prep, or classroom jobs as natural teaching moments.
Use Visuals and Structured Supports Visual schedules, step-by-step task cards, and picture prompts make learning predictable and clear
Incorporate Community-Based Learning Simulate real-world settings in the classroom or plan short, supported outings.
Teach Functional Communication Embed language practice in authentic activities — like asking for a snack or greeting peers
Celebrate Every Step of Progress Growth looks different for every student. Each new skill, no matter how small, builds toward independence.
Functional Learning in Action
Picture your students running a classroom snack shop to practice functional math, or preparing a simple lunch to develop daily living skills. These experiences encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and confidence.
My Tips for Teachers
Focus on real-world relevance in lessons
Use visual supports and structured teaching
Prioritize communication and social interaction
Teach daily living and community skills
Celebrate functional progress, not just test scores
Functional learning skills give students the tools to navigate life with greater confidence and independence. Every skill — from zipping a coat to paying for a snack — helps prepare them for a brighter independent future.
Halloween is such a magical time for young children, filled with pumpkins, spooky decorations, and fun costumes. It’s also a perfect opportunity to introduce hands-on activities that engage kids’ imaginations, foster creativity, and support early learning. Here’s a couple of easy Halloween activities and worksheet ideas for preschoolers and kindergartners to enjoy in the classroom or at home!
PUMPKIN COLOR SORTING
A classic hands-on activity that helps with color recognition, sorting, and fine motor skills!
Materials Needed:
•Paper cut-out pumpkins in different colors (or small pumpkin toys)
•Small containers or bowls
How to Play:
•Have the children sort the pumpkins by color.
•Ask them to name the colors out loud as they sort them (e.g., “This one is orange!”).
You can increase the challenge by introducing a “mystery color” where kids have to find pumpkins that match a color you describe, like “Find the pumpkin that’s as yellow as the sun!”
Why It’s Great:
•This activity helps kids develop color recognition and basic sorting skills.
•It’s also a good exercise for hand-eye coordination.
2. BUILD A SCARY PUMPKIN FACE
Hands on activity that will help with shape recognition, fine motor skills, follow directions and shape orientation!
•Prepare Small shapes (squares, circles, triangles, stars) card or paper.
•Bowls to hold the different shapes
•Paste/glue stick
How to play:
•Have children choose the color pumpkin they want to design.
•Let them choose the visual direction cue cards of what face they want to make.
•Offer the cut out shapes for them to paste to their pumpkin face following the direction cue card.
Why its great! This activity is great for shape recognition and manipulation, following instructions and fine motor skills.
3. CREEPY HALLOWEEN WORKSHEETS
Dressing up, what you want to wear, List your favourite Halloween games, List your favourite Halloween treats, Write a creepy story sheet, Color coded coloring sheet, Count and write the number of Halloween items they see.
Why they’re great!
fine motor skills, color recognition, writing skills, counting and number recognition
These Halloween activities and worksheets are easy, fun, and educational for preschool and kindergarten children. They provide opportunities for creativity, fine motor development, and early learning in a way that makes the holiday extra special.
Classroom management in a special education setting often requires creative, student-centered strategies that support diverse learning needs. One highly effective and versatile tool that special educators use is visual direction cards.
Visual direction cards are more than just classroom aides — they are tools that foster independence, reduce behavioral challenges, and create a more structured and inclusive learning environment.
What Are Visual Direction cue Cards?
Visual direction cards are simple, illustrated cues that provide clear, step-by-step instructions or expectations. They often use a combination of text and images or symbols to help students understand what is being asked of them, even if they struggle with verbal instructions or have limited language skills.
Examples include:
“Sit down”
“Raise your hand”
“Get your materials”
“Take a break”
“All done”
They can be printed on cardstock, laminated, attached to lanyards, placed on desks, or mounted on Velcro boards for easy access and use
Why Use Visual Direction Cards?
1. Promote Independence Visuals allow students to process information at their own pace. Instead of relying on adult prompting, they can refer to cards to understand what to do next. This boosts confidence and helps them develop problem-solving skills.
2. Reduce Verbal Overload Many students in special ed settings experience sensory processing or language delays. Visual directions minimize stress by providing clear, concise instructions without relying on verbal cues.
3. Support Positive Behavior When expectations are clear, students are more likely to engage in appropriate behavior. Visual cards can be used proactively to guide transitions, routines, and self-regulation.
4. Increase Classroom Efficiency With visual directions in place, teachers can spend less time repeating instructions and more time facilitating learning.
Strategies for Using Visual Direction Cards Effectively
1. Teach the Cards Introduce cards one at a time during calm, structured parts of the day. Model the behavior and have students practice using them until they become familiar.
2. Make It Student-Centered Personalize cards for individual needs. Some students may need large icons, others may benefit from first-person phrasing (“I need a break”), or even real photos instead of clipart.
3. Create a Visual Schedule Use direction cards to build a daily schedule that students can follow independently. This supports executive functioning and helps reduce anxiety during transitions.
4. Pair with Reinforcement Systems When students successfully follow visual directions, reinforce their efforts with praise, token boards, or other motivators. This strengthens the connection between visual cues and positive behavior.
5. Encourage Generalization Use direction cards in different settings — during centers, specials, lunch, or community outings or for personal hygiene — so students learn to apply the skills beyond the classroom.
Visual direction cards may seem simple, but their impact is profound. They empower students with the tools they need to be more independent, confident, and successful in and out of the classroom.
As a special education teacher, your ability to adapt tools like visual cards can transform daily routines and build lifelong skills for your students.
