Creating visual schedules, communication boards, token economies, social stories, and classroom curricula.
For over three decades, Boardmaker has been the gold standard for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and special education. For many educators, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and parents, the phrase evokes a distinct sense of nostalgia. It represents the physical discs that once held the key to unlocking communication for millions of non-verbal students worldwide.
The Legacy and Evolution of Boardmaker CD: A Complete Guide to AAC Visuals boardmaker cd
Boardmaker software has been the gold standard for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for decades. Created by Mayer-Johnson, it revolutionized how educators, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and parents support individuals with communication difficulties.
Tobii Dynavox officially discontinued the sale and technical support of Boardmaker CD-ROMs to make way for unified, modern software. It represents the physical discs that once held
and ideas for creating visual schedules using free, modern tools.
| Feature | Boardmaker CD | Boardmaker Online | |--------|--------------|------------------| | Price | One-time ~$300-500 | Subscription ~$100-150/year | | Symbol count | 3,000–7,000 | 45,000+ (streaming) | | Platform | Windows/Mac (legacy) | Web, iPad app | | Interactive activities | No | Yes (student click/touch) | | Sharing | Manual file transfer | Cloud, team drives | | Updates | None (new CD purchase) | Automatic | | Support status | Discontinued | Active | Tobii Dynavox officially discontinued the sale and technical
If you search for "Boardmaker CD" on second-hand sites like eBay or Goodwill, you will find wild price swings. Because these are out of print, they have become collectors' items for niche special ed teachers.
Modern laptops and desktop computers are no longer built with internal CD/DVD drives. Users must buy external USB disc drives just to read the software.