Token Board
What does Token Board mean?
A token board is a visual tool that shows a child their progress toward earning a chosen activity, break, or reward. As a child completes steps or demonstrates a behaviour, tokens are added to the board, making progress visible and concrete. Token boards are widely used in homes, classrooms, and therapy settings across Canada to build motivation and make expectations feel manageable.
Why this term matters
Token boards can help autistic children or children with other support needs stay engaged and understand what comes next, which can reduce anxiety and support participation in daily routines or learning activities. Therapists, teachers, and families often use them together, so knowing the term helps everyone stay on the same page.
Canadian context
Token boards are commonly introduced through behaviour therapy, school-based support teams, or early intervention programs, and families may receive guidance on using them at home from a therapist or educational assistant. Availability of professional support to implement token boards varies by province or territory and by the services a child is accessing.
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