About FirstThenBoard

My Story

I'm Vlad, a parent of an autistic child. Over the past 17 years, I've tried every visual schedule system out there-from laminated cards to overly complex apps. Nothing ever felt quite right. I'd lose printed boards, apps would crash or require expensive devices and overpriced subscriptions, and many just weren't flexible enough for real-life routines.

So I decided to build my own online first then board. What started as a personal tool to help my family quickly evolved into something I realized could benefit others too. FirstThenBoard brings together all the best autism visual supports I've used over the years into one simple, reliable platform that's always ready when you need it.

Why I Built It

I wanted a flexible visual schedule platform that worked everywhere-at home, in the car, at school, or during therapy sessions. No dedicated devices and costly subscriptions, no complicated setup. Just a browser-based first then visual schedule with a set of tools you can use or ignore depending on your situation. FirstThenBoard isn't a traditional app-it's a flexible online platform built out of necessity by someone who lives this reality every day.

What I Believe

• Built for Real Life: This first then board platform is used in my own family, and I know firsthand how chaotic life can be. That's why it's designed to work anywhere, on any device, without fail.
• Keep It Simple: If it takes more than a few seconds to use, it's too complicated. I focused on making it intuitive and distraction-free-because the last thing you need is technology adding stress to your day.
• Parent-Led: I'm not a big company with shareholders to please. I'm just a parent who wanted better tools and decided to build them myself.
• Grounded in Experience: Every feature exists because I've needed it myself. No fluff, no bloat-just tools that actually work in real situations.

Made for Families Like Mine

Whether you're a parent navigating daily routines, a teacher managing a classroom, or a therapist providing autism visual supports, this flexible platform is designed for you. Every tool is built with real-world use in mind-use what you need, when you need it. No installs, no updates-just open it in your browser.

"The best visual tool is the one you actually have with you when your kid is melting down in the parking lot."

What’s Next

I'm actively expanding FirstThenBoard with tools I've personally tested and relied on over the years. While it's still early, I'm improving it continuously and always open to feedback from families, educators, and therapists. My goal is to keep it free or very low-cost for personal use, and focused on features that genuinely help-not just ones that look good on a landing page.

This is more than an app to me. It's a tool born from necessity, and the determination to make life a little easier for families like ours.

If you're ready to try it out, get started here with a step-by-step guide.