Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace
Creating a vision board starts with setting up a space where you feel comfortable and ready to focus. Choose a quiet area with minimal distractions. Gather your materials:
- A poster board, corkboard, or large sheet of paper
- Scissors and glue sticks (or thumbtacks if using a corkboard)
- Magazines, printed images, stickers, and markers
- Optional: sensory-friendly tools like textured scissors, scented markers, or weighted lap pads for comfort
Make sure the lighting feels good to you and that you have enough room to spread out. If you enjoy listening to music, pick something calming or energizing—whatever helps you concentrate!
Step 2: Think About Your Goals
Before you start cutting and gluing, take some time to think about what you’d like to focus on in 2025. Here are some prompts to help:
- What would you like to accomplish this year? (Traveling, making new friends, getting a job, etc.)
- Are there any skills you’d like to improve? (e.g., learning a new recipe, mastering a video game, or building a LEGO model)
- What makes you happy? (friends, animals, nature, art)
- Is there something you want to try for the first time?
Don’t worry if you don’t know all the answers right away—your vision board can change as your goals evolve.
Step 3: Gather Your Visuals
Now comes the fun part—collecting pictures, words, and other visuals that represent your goals and interests. Flip through magazines, print out photos from the internet, or even draw your own images. Here’s what to look for:
- Photos that make you feel excited or happy
- Words or phrases that inspire you (e.g., “confidence,” “explore,” “calm”)
- Colors or textures that you enjoy
Step 4: Organize Your Board
Before gluing anything down, lay out your items on the board. This helps you see how everything fits together. You can organize your vision board in a few different ways:
- By category: Group similar goals or interests together (e.g., all school-related items in one section).
- By timeline: Arrange goals based on when you want to achieve them (e.g., short-term vs. long-term).
- Freestyle: Place things wherever they feel right!
If you’re not sure where to start, try putting the most important goal or image in the center.
Step 5: Assemble Your Vision Board
Once you’re happy with your layout, start attaching the items. Use glue sticks, tape, or thumbtacks, depending on your board. Add extra touches like:
- Borders around key goals using colorful tape
- Stickers for decoration
- Writing or doodling words of encouragement
Take your time and enjoy the process. There’s no right or wrong way to do this—it’s your board, and it should reflect your personality and dreams.
Step 6: Display Your Vision Board
When your vision board is complete, place it somewhere you’ll see it every day, like your bedroom or study space. If you prefer privacy, keep it in a folder or on the back of a door. The goal is to remind yourself of what you’re working toward in 2025.
Step 7: Review and Adjust
As the year goes on, you might discover new interests or change your goals. That’s okay! Your vision board doesn’t have to stay the same. Add, remove, or rearrange items as needed.
Tips Especially for Teens with Autism
- Use sensory-friendly materials: If certain textures bother you, choose tools and decorations that feel good to touch.
- Take breaks: If making a vision board feels overwhelming, do it in small steps.
- Ask for support: Family members, teachers, or therapists can help brainstorm ideas or find materials.
Why Vision Boards Are Great for Teens with Autism
Creating a vision board is more than an art project—it’s a way to build self-awareness and focus on what matters most to you. For teens with autism, this process can be especially beneficial because it encourages self-expression, and helps make your goals feel more tangible and real.
As you look at your vision board throughout the year, remember: every step you take, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goals.
Here’s to a bright, exciting 2025!
