The standard PCS (Picture Communication Symbol) for "Finish" in Boardmaker usually features a checkmark inside a box or a hand putting an item into a container. However, you can customize this. If your student struggles with the abstract checkmark, use the Boardmaker editing tools to insert a photo of the actual finished state (e.g., a photo of an empty plate for "Finish eating").
| Task | Done | |------|------| | Saved master copy (.bmpr) | ☐ | | Exported PDF backup | ☐ | | Checked symbol sizing and contrast | ☐ | | Printed test page (one sheet) | ☐ | | Laminated (if physical) | ☐ | | Tested interactivity (if digital) | ☐ |
Boardmaker’s print settings are critical for physical finished products.
Print Dialog Tips:
Lamination recommendation: Use 5 mil thermal pouches for durability. Cut corners rounded to prevent sharp edges.
Scenario: "Jason," a 7-year-old with non-verbal autism, would throw chairs when it was time to finish playing with blocks to go to speech therapy.
Intervention using "Finish Boardmaker":
Boardmaker projects can become large and complex. This guide walks you through an efficient, repeatable process to finish a Boardmaker file (or set of files) so it’s polished, accessible, shareable, and ready for use in classrooms, therapy, or publication.
Even experienced users make these mistakes when deploying their "finish Boardmaker" systems.
Error 1: Overusing the Symbol If you put a "Finish" card on every single step of a 10-step task analysis, the symbol loses its power. Reserve "Finish" for the terminal step of a sequence only. finish boardmaker
Error 2: Forgetting the Visual Timer A "Finish" card is a spatial boundary, not a temporal one. For students who struggle with time, a "Finish" card is frustrating because they don't know when it will happen. Pair the Boardmaker card with a sand timer or a visual countdown strip.
Error 3: Inconsistent Language Do not say "We're all done" while pointing to the "Finish" card. The symbol says "Finish." The teacher must say "Finish." Consistency in vocabulary is essential for literacy and generalization.
