By Debra Muzikar
(Editor’s update: In 2020 the Art of Autism nonprofit made a commitment not to use the puzzle piece in any of our promotions).
As language evolves, so do symbols.
The origins of the puzzle piece, the primary symbol for autism, go back to 1963. It was created by Gerald Gasson, a parent and board member for the National Autistic Society (formerly The Society for Autistic Children) in London. The board believed autistic people suffered from a ‘puzzling’ condition. They adopted the logo because it didn’t look like any other image used for charitable or commercial use. Included with the puzzle piece was an image of a weeping child. The weeping child was used as a reminder that Autistic people suffer from their condition.
When I researched, I was reminded how far we’ve come in our use of language to describe people with developmental disabilities. In the 1960’s people with developmental disabilities were referred to as mentally handicapped. People with cerebral palsy were called spastics. The label “autistic” wasn’t commonly accepted. Children with autism were thought to be psychotic and were diagnosed as having childhood schizophrenia. Autism was blamed on refrigerator mothers.
To the National Autistic Society’s credit, they’ve evolved and don’t use that image anymore. This is their new image.
I decided to do an informal survey of my friends on Facebook about the puzzle piece logo. Should it stay? Should it go? What would you replace it with?
I received over 100 responses. Some people emailed me off-list. As usual the responses I received were intelligent and thought provoking.
On the side of appreciating the puzzle piece logo, parent Keri Bowers writes, “the political correctness of so many things in today’s world is disturbing to me. It’s hard to keep up, actually, as the terms flip – as in person first language (PFL). When Taylor was young, I called him an autistic child. Then that became a bad thing. Now it’s flipped back from a person with autism, to an autistic person – just where I started. A puzzle piece implies a mystery to be solved or something to be put together. Is that untrue in autism? Is that really hurtful or did we make that up to feel better? I believe my son is a mystery – still, after almost 26 years, and he is ‘missing’ certain understandings, skills and abilities as an ‘autistic person.’ He would tell you – as he told a group of volunteers at a training he helped me facilitate yesterday, ‘I just don’t get certain things.’ Is it insulting to imply through imagery a particular truth about him?”
Maria Hall, parent, “My son is a puzzle wrapped in an enigma . . . I love the puzzle piece.”
Sally Verduzco, parent, “I love the puzzle piece . . . It’s part of a unit. Together all of us in our own reality and ways, place each puzzle in the right place to create a unit. Unity coming together. Many pieces as one.”
Savana Rose, parent, “I really like the puzzle. To me it does perfectly symbolize all the different ways that our individual kids fit together. It symbolizes the complicated ways in which this disorder may have happened to our kids. It symbolizes how there’s no one therapy that works for everyone, and sometimes it’s a whole puzzle of therapies that actually work. How did this happen? How do we help? How are they different? How are they alike? What works? What doesn’t? It’s a complicated puzzle to me and the logo speaks all that to me.”
Marge Pamintuan, parent, “It’s a symbol – perhaps to some, it’s a ‘missing’ piece. I’d like to think our kiddos are the COMPLETING PIECE of the human puzzle.”
Just when I thought it was only parents who liked the puzzle symbol, I received this input from Erin Clemens who is on the spectrum, “I like the puzzle piece. I like it because it’s not about the end result, but the PROCESS of putting the pieces together. I also like it because it reminds us that each person, even though all grouped in as being on the spectrum, is still unique and has their own way of fitting in.”
There were some who wouldn’t mind keeping the puzzle piece if the message behind it were reframed.
Jennifer O’Toole, “I viscerally dislike the puzzle pieces as symbols of that which must be figured out and ‘solved.’ However! Then I found these handcrafted, fused glass bracelets – where the puzzle represents the idea that we each have an essential, unique part to play in the bigger picture. And that – I like a lot.”
Amy Gravino, “For me, I would have fewer reservations about the puzzle piece logo if there were a way to re-imagine the meaning behind it. So rather than it representing a missing piece in individuals on the autism spectrum, I would love for it to represent the ‘key’ piece. The puzzle piece is that component that defines each and every autistic person; that, without that piece, we couldn’t be the fantastic people that we are. So rather than looking at the puzzle and seeing a piece that is missing, I would want to look at the piece as the piece that completes it. (Unfortunately, I think the current meaning behind the puzzle piece is so enshrined in it that it’s probably impossible to change it, but I want to believe there is a way).”
Kathleen Tehrani, “I am in favor of a puzzle piece where the individual is choosing those pieces themselves; e.g., the art work of Sarah Vaughn.”
“I am not in favor of a puzzle piece that holds the intention that people on the spectrum are confused or incomplete,” Kathleen says.
Karen Courtney, who is Autistic, had a symbol she designed tattooed on her arm.
Karen feels the tattoo symbolizes her struggles and being bullied for her autism. Karen is a gifted artist and designs autism puzzle piece tattoos.
Then there were a big group of people who opposed the symbol.
Michael Leventhal, “While the original intent of the puzzle piece was positive, it no longer represents the goals of advocacy. Yesterday autism was a mystery. Today, while efforts continue into autism’s etiology, the main focus is on applying what we have learned to make society and institutions more responsive to changes that lead to improved life and outcomes for autistic individuals and their families. Highlighting this shift in focus warrants a newer symbol – one of cooperation and sharing.”
Michael believes projects such as the Gee Vero Inclusion project go more to educating and reframing autism.
Jane Straus, “the puzzle piece is far more applicable in my opinion to NTs (neurotypicals), who seem to expect us to guess what they are thinking. It is inaccurate, in its assumption of boy-blue, and its assumption that we are so impossible to understand. Those of us who can communicate in a way that normals understand are so simple and direct in what we say, that if they would just pay attention we would be not a puzzle at all.”
Andy Dreisewerd, who lives in a restrictive group home, has no love for the puzzle piece logo. In fact, he performed a ritual to destroy the puzzle piece by “using a plastic prop sword and figuratively driving it through the puzzle piece, cutting it in twaine. I did this to free its influence from me and my attention to others’ opinions on things I should do with my spare time, and the type of job I should hold based on how ‘intelligent’ I am.”
Lori Shayew, “I’m not a fan of the puzzle piece. I feel it’s demeaning to autistic people. I like the infinity sign or heart better . . . something Autism represents.”
Andrew I. Lerner, “We are not just a puzzle PIECE, and are not missing anything. We do fit in, and we can SPEAK for ourselves! Let us support ourselves, rather than an NT jigsaw organization that is profiting from pitying us. We are all individuals, and need not have the same letters in our name. Show support for us by proudly displaying our A.S. logo.” This is the logo he proposes:
April Griffin writes, “My pieces aren’t missing and I’m not a mystery.”
Judy Endow writes in Goodnight Autism Puzzle Pieces about how the puzzle piece is now permanently tied in with fear-based messages. ” . . . the fact remains that today public awareness of autism is tied up with the tragedy and fear-mongering put forth by Autism Speaks. Our puzzle symbol no longer stands for any of the good we personally attach to it and, in fact, has become harmful to the very people we wanted to represent – autistic people.”
Alternative ideas for logos were suggested. Sarah Vaughn would like to see a rainbow in the logo. Corrine Tobias likes the butterfly symbol.
One of my favorite organizations, Hidden Wings, uses a butterfly.
Carol Ann Acorn uses many pictures in her educational presentations that represent autism.
Forward-thinking CarolAnn also created this symbol years ago.
On suggestions for alternate symbols, Joanne Lara, Bev Leroux, and April Dawn Griffin like this symbol.
April likes the rainbow colors for the spectrum and the infinity sign which is math-related. Many on the autism spectrum have an affinity for math-related symbology.
Janet Sebelius disagrees with this symbol. The infinity symbol is used by the Metis in Canada.
“I feel the autism community has the best and brightest minds on the planet bright enough and creative enough to come up with something original I would love to see it come from within and not remind anybody of anybody else.”
Lori Shayew of The Gifts of Autism and Kelly Green of the Autismhwy.com came up with this symbol.
Lori writes “In light of the recent news that the rainbow is not an arc, but a circle. (Thanks for the proof NASA) It’s time to recreate the new model. Colors of the rainbow weaving in motion. We are recognized for all of our colors. For instance, I know a 13 year old girl who is non-verbal (red ray) AND comprehension/writes at high school level in English and Spanish (blue ray) She is also a wiz at math (indigo ray) Because she is non-verbal she is automatically labeled “low functioning”. But, there are hidden gifts that people are missing because they are focusing too much on the “non-verbal” aspect.
It’s time to break down the spectrum (low-mod-high) and allow our innate gifts to bloom and flourish. Don’t we all excel at some things, but not in others? No big deal. We can jump from yellow to red to indigo to green and back again. Maybe then there are no colors, only light.”
Andrea Clark, “As each person in this world is unique, how can one symbol do justice for all?”
James McCue writes, “I hate the missing puzzle piece – I am not missing anything, nor do consider anyone I work with to be less then whole.” James suggests this:
“I think this represents the beautiful chaos that is continually running through my neurology – If I could add motion to it, would be even better – and noises, and smells – but – this will do,” James writes.
Kelly Green states, “Many Allistic [editor note: allistic is a new term for neurotypical] parents like the puzzle piece while many Autistic adults dislike it. I’m trying to honor my Autistic friends. I have existing art with puzzle pieces, which I still use minimally (in my Making Friends with Autism coloring books and coloring pages.) I made a promise to my friends that I wouldn’t create any new puzzle piece imagery over a year ago.”
This was a chalk-art piece Kelly Green created to represent Autistic Pride.
On the side of getting rid of any symbol representing autism Judith Burkes weighs in: “I don’t believe there can be a unifying symbol for a spectrum. If some see it now as one color or another, or a variety of colors, or as limited and separating or unifying and celebrating, how can one symbol cover such a variety of expressions of human existence? And, in the end, do we need to have a/one symbol?”
Oya Dee Gazioglu, “Could a symbol also be construed by others as another limiting label? Or another separation as opposed to the oneness we actually are?”
Marilyn Lauer, a Special Educator in Santa Barbara, asks, “Why a symbol? Does every ‘disability’ have a symbol?”
Some thoughtful organizations are investing in new logo designs. For example, The Celebrate Autism Foundation changed their logo to this.
Jenny Anderson, founder of Celebrate Autism, states “Celebrate Autism Foundation changed it’s logo from a puzzle piece to a spark. Our organization is about empowering through education & sparking a brighter future for people on the spectrum. Feels like a much better fit!”
In the end, I believe symbols are important, just as words are. The symbol we choose to represent ourselves should reflect our values.
The puzzle piece was created to represent an autism organization, not Autistic people. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network which does reflect the values of many autistic people has chosen this symbol as their logo.
The fifteen-year old artist Rissa P chalked this at the Covina Autism Chalk Festival on April 18, 2015.
(Artwork courtesy of Carissa Paccerelli aka Rissa P. Visit her art on her website.)
I guess that says it all.
See also the controversy over which colors represent autism. Blue, a color associated with males, has been chosen by Autism Speaks as the color for autism. But this is not set in stone. Many people think rainbow or gold represents autism better.
Because of it’s history the Art of Autism nonprofit does not use the puzzle piece in it’s logo or promotions.
Thank you for taking time to complete this survey. I agree with your view that “I believe it’s time for parents to listen to Autistic adults about the symbols they prefer. And I agree there may be no universal symbol for all. If parents want a symbol for what it means to be an autism parent, they should create their own symbol… And please don’t include crying children.”
In addition to the rainbow infinity symbol, I also love Carol Ann Acorn’s ribbon with rainbow stars. Come to think of it, how about an infinity symbol with a bright background colour (maybe royal blue like Carol Ann’s ribbon) and a collection of rainbow stars! Infinity, rainbow stars… that fills my heart with joy!
I think the puzzle piece is rather accurate as we “nuero-typicals” have trouble figuring people in the spectrum and they have trouble figuring us out. The puzzle seems to fit as both groups seem to puzzle each other.
http://www.bothhandsandaflashlight.com/2008/11/06/post-puzzle-piece-autism/
Tim writes: “Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last couple of years, you likely have seen the puzzle piece that has become the predominant symbol of autism.
I’ll just come out and say it bluntly: I hate it.
If someone thought a puzzle piece was an accurate representation of me, I’d be pretty ticked off to put it mildly.”
This is a rare case of someone who is not autistic writing about autism and getting things dead right. The original iteration of the piece is misleading and misrepresentative, and the current puzzle piece is impossible to disassociate from people whose stock and trade is to mislead and deceive. No symbol that has as little consent from the people it purports to represent can be held to represent them.
I dislike the use of any graphic symbol for autism or Asperger’s (which is not on the Autism Spectrum.) “Spectrum” is a way for lazy psychologists to avoid real diagnosis and description of the many conditions lumped together on the “spectrum.” It obscures the actual symptoms and difficulties that individuals experience. Why is “Autism” a better name than developmentally handicapped?” Politically correct nonsense has never helped anyone to function better. Do we want specific individual solutions or cute butterflies and rainbows?
That statement doesn’t even come close to making sense. You say you want “real diagnoses” then call giving the condition an actual name “politically correct nonsense”?
There’s a good reason that a spectrum is being used in the first place. It’s because there are so many different forms of autism that it’s basically impossible to categorize each and every individual type purely because it’s so individual. Not to mention it seems to help those who don’t have or are unfamiliar with the condition to understand how autism works, and why the symptoms of one person can greatly differ from another while still having the same root causes. As for the use of “Autism” vs “Developmentally handicapped”, do you think “malicious deadly tumor” is a better term to use instead of “cancer”? Also no, you are wrong. Asperger’s is on the spectrum. I should know, since, well, I have it. It’s a common form of high-functioning autism that was distinct enough from ADHD before the two were re-categorized into the spectrum you seem to dislike so much.
First off, stop using the word “autistic”.
Anyone who is an expert about autism should know that that word should never be used. It is extremely offensive because autism does not define someone. They HAVE autism. They aren’t autistic. You claim that we have come so far about our use of language. Obviously you haven’t.,
You need to keep up what people want to call themselves. Many on the spectrum want to be called autistic. Here’s a blog I wrote about it. https://the-art-of-autism.com/person-first-language-autistic-person-with-autism-aspienaut/
I’m Autistic, thank you. Autism is how my brain works, how i perceive, experience and respond to the world. It is me. To pretend otherwise is just daft.
I’m autistic, and I call myself autistic. My friends who are autistic call themselves that too. Just like autism is a spectrum, there are those of us who have different opinions on what we call ourselves. If I didn’t have autism, I would not be who I was. Not even close.
I have diabetes. I have had diabetes for 30 years. Diabetes has made me impotent. It has damaged the nerves in my digestive system badly enough that after a particularly stressful day and night, I woke up with a puddle of my own faeces under me. It also regularly inserts pain into parts of my feet. And if my male relatives are anything to go by, I have another twenty-five years of this to go. Diabetes is also classed as a “degenerative” disease by doctors where I live. That means it gets worse over time, the longer you have it.
I have diabetes. I would gladly remove my own testicles to not have diabetes.
Demanding that I refer to the reason why I could read at an adult level when I was three years old, the neuro-genetic mutations that make me different to my abusers, the way I refer to the diabetes that is torturing me to death, is offensive. Offensive enough that if you came to my home and did it, I would gladly remove something of yours.
To put this another way, your commentary is extremely rude, and your attitude sucks. When I hear people claim that they are autistic and want to be called “…with autism”, I often wonder how hard people worked to make them adopt such self-hatred.
Hi Dean. I think my daughter would whole heartedly agree with your analogy. She is a Type1 diabetic who is autistic, has Tourette’s, crippling scoliosis, numerous deadly food allergies and gene mutations that are shortening her life. She lives in a virtual hell inside her own body. Yet, she loves who she is and loves her autism. She will never conform to all the self hate, political correctness of this world. She hates that she is made to feel bad about wanting to wear puzzle pieces and call herself autistic. She already has enough on her plate and shouldn’t have to battle the “do gooders” of this world who keep trying to speak for everyone and change the world through shaming anyone trying to provide inclusion in their own way. Through a uniting symbol, words, classifications or otherwise. This world scares me..and not everyone has to agree and fight the same fight to care about the same things. Geeze..you and my daughter have earned the right to fight and share your diversity in any way you wish !
Autistics prefer identity first because autism is something that is central to our own identity. It shapes who we are and how we see the world. We say that we ARE autistic, as opposed to HAVING autism, because it is not a disease.
Diabetes is not like autism. Cancer is not like autism. This is why we tend to say people with diabetes rather than diabetic people. Who you are as a person isn’t defined by an ailment like diabetes. So your comparison is a poor one.
The trouble with saying “they have autism” in the same sense as one would say “they have cancer” is that with that mindset, one tends to see autism as something they can cure.
There is nothing wrong with being autistic. There’s no mythical cure for autism. We don’t need a cure. I don’t want a cure. Sure, my life might’ve been different without autism but it makes me me and I wouldn’t change that for anything.
I am autistic, and you are completely wrong about this. Autists are rarely offended by “condition-first” language unless someone tells us that we should be. You don’t say “person who works as a chef” or “person with blue eyes,” so why would you say “person who has autism” unless you think it’s something to be ashamed of?
First off, stop speaking for everyone. You may be offended by it, but not all autistic people are. Listen to what the people who actually live with this condition want instead of telling them what they should and should not be offended about.
If someone on the spectrum wants you to say they have autism, then say it. But don’t pretend like the rest of us should be offended by something because it makes you feel better to be offended by it.
Signed,
I AM AUTISTIC
So some like the puzzle piece good you can use it. Some dont like it good you dont have to use it. Some like autistic good use that language. Some like person with autism good use that language. Raising an autistic son with autism leaves me little time to worry about such bull shit.
Mike, I think you are the first and only person who has made any real sense of this, thank you. “To each his own” as I was taught. Let’s worry more about the person.
Well said Mike…
If you have something you can loose it or have it taken away. Can your autism be taken away? Do you want it to be? Was there a time when you didn’t ‘have’ autism, after which you gained it?
I don’t get this, “autism doesn’t define someone.” What has definitions got to do with it? Reality is what reality is. Definitions are usually ‘made’ which is dangerously close to ‘made-up’ = lies. Truth is I am Autisitc, for most of my life I did not ‘have’ a diagnosis, now I do, but I have always been autistic.
You HAVE a hearing deficit. You are not a deaf person.
You HAVE lack of sight. You are not a blind person.
You HAVE Asian ancestry. You are not Japanese.
You HAVE autism. You are not an autistic person.
We use identity first language in plenty of situations. It’s not weird to say it in other situations. Get used to saying it in this situation…
I am AUTISTIC thank you very much, and proud of it. I’ll give you that some people prefer has autism or person with autism, but that is on a completely individual basis and even as someone who is autistic on a board for an Autism organization of only autistic individuals or individuals with Autism, we struggle with wording on anything that we put out because it is impossible not to offend someone.
But coming from that point of view I ask you to please never shame anyone for their use of language when it comes to autism unless you can somehow think of a completely neutral term that we have yet to come up with. And trust me, we’ve tried, and are still trying to think of one so any suggestions would actually be greatly appreciated.
Also nobody is an “expert” about autism and anyone who believes they are only shows how little they know. Someone with has autism/is autistic is as close as you are going to get and I promise you, we aren’t even experts we are only experts on how it effects us and maybe the other people we know but even that’s a stretch.
I’m truely sorry if any part of that sounded mean, I only mean to educate, and the words autism “expert” makes me very frustrated.
I’m autistic. it’s part of me, not a disease that is separate. it’s not something can, or should, be taken. please listen to autistic people instead of making things up.
I am an elementary teacher who came to this site exploring where I could find out more about some students I now teach. I am, frankly, taken aback by the negative labeling of people here.
What exactly is a “curebie.?” And, I can guess at “neurotypical’s” meaning but Allistic?? I would love to hear from anyone who can shed non-hostile light on these terms. I have hated
political correctness my whole life. I don’t have much good ju-ju for people who want to sit around and label things for the sake of bitter irony or something that tastes like that. It seems like a big energy suck. Life is too short. But education and enlightenment . . . by all means.
Life is too short. But education and enlightenment . . . by all means.
Hey!
It’s been over 5 years and maybe you no longer need an answer, but I can shed some light on the term ‘Allistic’!
There is a difference between allistic and neurotypical. All neurotypicals are allistic, but not all allistics are neurotypical. There is more to neurodivergence than autism, so to make the distinction ‘allistic’ is used for a person who is not autistic. They might still be neurodivergent in other ways, but not autistic. Neurotypical is used for anyone who has no neurodivergence at all, including autism.
Hope that helps!
My son has autism, or he is autistic. whatever you want to say. How it is worded makes absolutely no difference. My sweet baby still is perfect, yet he lacks the skill to say the four words I long to hear, “daddy, I love you.” I personally don’t care what the symbol is that is used to raise awareness. They could use a purple horses butt. If it helps raise awareness to cut down on the stupidity of the masses, isn’t it worth it? I may be wrong and I am sure someone will point this out to me, but I just want the best for my baby boy and others like him that have difficulties. Yes, difficulties, sorry to say but he and many like him have difficulties in communication, or other functions of life.
We see a pink ribbon and associate it breast cancer. was pink chosen for a certain reason? Who cares!! It raises awareness.
Maybe we all should be happy that people associate any type of symbol with autism, I am, it means my wife and I are getting the help we need to best benefit our son.
Maybe we all should stop taking offense to every little thing and just be happy that someone cares.
In my humble opinion, I believe autism is a puzzle, just like the human brain, whether it is a “normal (I hate that word) functioning brain” or a brain that may be considered overactive, or under achieving. So the puzzle piece is a good representation of the affliction known as autism.
Sorry if I offended anyone, certainly not my intention. I do ask that anyone reading this, please say a prayer for my family that we do our best to raise this happy little boy the best way possible and get the best advice in helping him achieve all that is possible.
Thank you
Whether you hate yourself, hate me, or any other person in this world. I am going to tell you that you have never seen how my baby boy and I spend our time together! We often just relax in the recliner while silently looking into each other’s eyes, it’s absolutely beautiful. You sir are to be pitied, not for any reason other than carrying hate in your heart. There is no love greater than the love for my child. He is only 2, so if it’s cold outside, I help him put his coat on, if it’s warm and we want to swim, I help him put his swimsuit on. So I am not suppose to help him with social skills and the difference between right and wrong? Apparently social skills and common sense communications is not a priority is some people’s lives. I do pity you and hope someday you will fill your heart with love so there is no room for hate. Would like to be a friend of yours, not the enemy
“My son has autism, or he is autistic. whatever you want to say. How it is worded makes absolutely no difference.”
“If it helps raise awareness to cut down on the stupidity of the masses, isn’t it worth it?”
“Maybe we all should stop taking offense to every little thing and just be happy that someone cares.”
These are your words. You should stop and actually think about what I have said in response to them, and why. Because I am thoroughly convinced you have not done this. I am not even convinced you have read the entirety of what I have said.
Research psychologists are also dead-convinced that Albert Einstein was autistic. His first words were spoken at the age of three, and they were a full sentence reporting hunger to his surprised parents. When he first saw his younger sister, he was heard to remark, “Yes, but where does it have its small wheels?”.
Your child is only two years old, you say, and you are projecting so much insecurity upon him, it just reminds me of how the ability to have children should be restricted.
To keep this short, you have come to a forum on which an autistic person has described why separationist language and puzzle pieces offend autistic people, and spewed out a lot of “who cares?” along with “my thoughts matter because I am a parent of a child with the autismz!”. Yet you seem to think I want your pity, your sympathy, or something. People like you owe me fear and awe. If it were possible to do what I wish, to force people like you to feel exactly the way you make people like me feel, you would never want to talk to another autistic adult like me again.
Now you and i are getting somewhere! Your last response did not appear to me to have the anger and hatred. I am here because I do not understand, plain and simple. I have heard you classify people as “normies”, I will assume you mean normal people. Is there a “normal”? I personally believe that normal should never describe any individual, we are all unique and thats what makes us human, everyone is different. And yet the same.
I have two other sons, One is a firefighter and one is in the Army, Why do they do these dangerous jobs? When I asked them this question, they both said, because I want to do what is right and I care about people. These are ordinary young men that do “extra”ordinary jobs for the right reason.
Dean, i am here to understand, I hope you will help me. You have extrodinary talents that far exceed mine, and in some cases, I have extrodinary talents that exceed yours, together we can help my understanding and do what is best for my baby boy. Personally, i dont get how these psychologist can help when they dont understand.
I will not extend to you, pity, fear, or awe, I will extend my hand in friendship and request your help. Like my other two sons, I just want to do what is right, because I care.
You will find an adult autistic community at Neurodiverse UK on Facebook. We are based in the UK but have manu US members. We welcome autistics, parents, industry workers and educators of all levels from elementayry to PhD and have many in all those categories who participate regularly in discussions. It is not a ‘safe space’, but we admins do teach others to answer questions as we would and the vast majority will fall over backwards to educate you on our communities beleifs, values and language. Usually in a very patient way as we know not everyone gets it straight away. Autistic, remember? Come over, ask your questions with respect and you will (I hope, now I’ve said it!) receive civility in return.
Beautiful comment and I’m sure a beautiful family like wise. I agree, so much negativity. Why does the negative have to over power the good the symbol has done…raise awareness. Was’t that the intentions of the symbol? Job done… now it’s up to you as a parent, or individual to do your homework and educate yourself. I believe it’s different for every family and same as a puzzle piece, each piece is simular in many ways but not exactly the same. Each family has it’s unique challenges.We can all look at the glass of water being either half full or half empty. I say find your meaning and raise awareness.
Here one for you many are not aware that sits very unaware from public, parents and many educaters.
Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS) is a rare neurobehavioral disorder characterized by a recognizable pattern of physical, behavioral, and developmental features. It is caused by particular genetic changes on chromosomal region 17p11.2, which contains the gene RAI1.
Incidence
SMS is a rare disorder that occurs in between 1 out of every 15,000 to 25,000 births. Although the number of individuals diagnosed with SMS has increased in recent ears due to better diagnostic tools, the syndrome likely remains under diagnosed.
Mr. Nichols no ofense taken whats so ever and of course your family is in my prayers as I would hope a prayer or two for our little Denzil.
Thank-you & Blessing’s
I love this comment. I truly hope you and your son are making great strides. Don’t give up on that “I love you Daddy”. I have 5 children. 4 have an autism label..the last will have her ADOS next week(she was born partially deaf so it took some time)..most likely another autism label for us. My husband is an aspie. I waited many many years for “I love you”. Some said it with broken words at very late ages, some said it with sign language..some said it with their eyes and touching my face. I got my I love yous…each in a unique way. The advice I give everyone who has an autistic child. Keep talking to them and treating with them as if they are just like everyone else (yes, you will still need the therapies and extra help). Carry on dialogue and interact as if they understand and answer you as normal. Every one of my older kids (I have an 18,17, and 13, 5 and 3 year olds) were able to communicate to me years down the line that this helped them and were taking in every single thing I said and did.
Dear Mike Nichols,
Do not engage with this Dean Whateverthellhisnameis. Unlike 99.9% of all the human beings who, as one part of themselves, live “the autistic life” – that is the least of the problems of Dean. Dean sucked a lemon long, long ago. He has never gotten over it. Now, he just wants you to be as pinched up as he is. He is not worth your precious time. Spend it with your son!
That sounds like a lovely, sacred relationship. Cheers! M
You know, all I want is to understand and be the best father I can be, maybe I am in the wrong area for this. I will now delete this from my e-mail and not bother anyone anymore. Best of luck to any and all.
I will incorporate some of what came to mind with your other reply here. It will make more sense this way.
The reality that nobody is willing to confront is that autistic people have a lot that they want to tell the world, but the people most powerful in said world do not want to hear it. They want to hear things that make them feel good about themselves. They want to hear things that make them believe that they are doing the right thing, irregardless of what that thing might be accomplishing.
I used to be the same way. I think the day I could actually look myself in the face and call myself a grown-up was when I could finally hear things that did not make me feel good inside or did not comfort me. It is a hard, painful thing to learn, but it is a very important one, and one that a lot of people unfortunately do not learn.
My male parental unit, for example, likes to think that everybody in the world loves him and that he is a stand-up guy. The fact that I, the one person whom traditional media says should regard him with awe, never speak(s) to him anymore, should tell you how honest he is being.
The gravatar that I have was intended to be symbolic. It is meant to represent the way I feel about the way I have been treated since what I call diagnosis day. When the diagnostician told me the news, she told me that my life would get better as a result of this. I want to punch her in the face for that. The mere memory of her words is like shit being pushed into my ears compared to what I have lived. And if you are keeping track, much of that is because of the manner in which my male parental unit behaved.
I live in country where I am expected to be content with a shard, incomplete chunk of life. These peoples’ promises are all lies, and their love is hate.
If I could tell you one thing that might help you at all, it is this. Stop reading what people who are not autistic have to say about autism. Do not listen to it, do not give it the weight of a pebble. Treat it as you would the static on an improperly tuned radio. The only reason I take time to respond to it myself is because I want to make other people, especially other autistic people, aware of why I so badly see the need for an Autism Civil Rights Act.
Your son is still very young. You should try to remember that and what it means. There are places online such as the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network or the Thinking Person’s Guide To Autism that can more specifically answer any queries you might have, but that your child is not speaking to you in phrases yet is not truly a cause for alarm. In three years’ time it may be, but that is a bridge you can cross if you get to it. ASAN can probably offer advice about such a situation.
I would probably have been washed out of the army even if I did not have diabetes. I have been experiencing symptoms that are associated with PTSD since I was about six years old. But that, and my desire to form armies of autistic people in a similar mode to the Black Panthers movement, should prove instructive concerning my motivations. Sometimes, people say things that they think are perfectly all fine and dandy, but a good hard think about can reveal how awful they are.
Thank you for giving me the website to ASAN, being new to this, I never realized how people are naive to think someone with autism is less of a person. I truly have never thought this myself. It is a shame that people think this way. I have a much better understanding of your anger now and appreciation of what you have gone through. I personally am not one of those people. Keep fighting for what is right and know that I am on your side.
Thank you again Dean
I will continue to try and be the best father I can by paying attention to my little guy and not so much the “educated”.
He is a godsend to my wife and I and we have always and will always believe this.
I like to believe that everyone deserves to be loved, and respected. This was instilled into me by my Dad years ago. I am not in Deans shoes so I dont know the circumstances he has been through other than what he has told me. I appreciate His opinion, as I do yours, thank you for seeing through my words and noticing the love I have for all three of my sons. I will find out how good of a job I did raising them when I see how my future grandkids turn out.
Many thanks to all!!
without the puzzle logo i would off never found my self its draw to one with austim so much more so it has to catch our eye in sucess
Huh? That comment makes no logical sense.
I am an epileptic so I know what some of the world of autism is like. Next I have raised 2 kids that are autistic. I raised them the closest I could to how I was raised- you may be differant in other peoples eyes but to us your just like all the other kids and are expected to act so. In other words my kids were- are special people. I would explain to them and to thier classmates- other autistic kids about the puzzle piece is if you look at it you will see a person. That little guy is blue, sometimes rainbow but he is one person and like in a puzzle you hold each others hands, give each other a hug. You stand tall, be proud of who you are- yes you will make lots of mistakes-but we all do, ,, you just make a few more.
The idea that you call it a swazstica are a bunch of junk and have no thoughts of what I have been told it stood for. It stands for I am a person, I fit in with the world and sometimes maybe I do need my hand held. You guys who not see that ideal in it wether you are autistic or norm, must have blind eyes. Some of you talk horribly think how did you want to be treated. I am also proud to point out to people what that crazy puzzle peice means umunst all those color ribbons.
I like the puzzle piece as a symbol, because every piece is different but they all fit together to make a full picture.
Keep the puzzle piece! Because like a puzzle piece their all unique in their on way but come together for a bigger picture that everyone can plainly see!
Personally I love the puzzle piece. It’s not for everyone and thats fine, but people should not tell others that what it should mean to them. I hate it when people tell me that it can not represent MY autism.
It is not autism- it represents autism, besides you going to flash a ribbon at that same person to see what they say? I have 2 autistic kids and 1 with adhd – what is the idea of changing from the puzzle I and they like to a ribbon that people can’t even keep track of thier meaning. In fact some of those colored ribbons stand for several differant things.
I think you should reread my earlier comment and take a very hard look at yourself. Autistic people are not just badly represented in the world political and media stages. They have had their own image taken away from them and distorted into shapes specifically designed to demean them. Which is what the puzzle piece basically is. It is a demeaning of autistic people like me, and its use in the past has caused it to strike legitimate fear into the hearts of autistic people like me.
I am also very fascinated by these people who always feel the need to say “I have autistic children” or the like. So what? The people who would like the puzzle piece gone are autistic themselves. If someone demonstrated to me in person that they care more about what my mother or male parental unit think than they care what *I*, the actual autistic person, thinks, it would not end well for that person.
“I am the mommy of a child with the autismz!” is, in fact, much like the puzzle piece itself. Like burning a cross in my yard.
Dean..I think you are referring to the autism site..which I will not mention..that seemed to make autism seem like a disease and something to fear. Treats autism as if it would steal your child in the night. You are correct, so many associate the symbol of a puzzle piece with that organization and their ill informed mumbo jumbo. But they did not come up with the symbol and it does not have to instill fear as that site (and organizations like that site) have. You can adopt or not adopt anything to represent yourself. That is the beauty. But the beauty is also letting others adopt what feels right to them. My daughter loves the puzzle piece. She also animates all. The different disabilities (yes, they are disabilities..I will not sugar coat her life and political correct this to death and take away from her HER truth ) she has a separate person, complete with funny little characteristics that make them unique, that all represent her. She makes them into digital art and they all help her make sense of herself in this world. This is her right..just like every one out there who has any, disorder, illness, disability..etc..can handle things however they choose. I hope you find what fits you best. Maybe just being you..no frills, no thrills, no symbols..just you 🙂
Dean your are way to violent for my taste and you are in no way representative of the autistic community. You give no assistance to people looking for help with understanding autism and frankly all the violent ways you describe how you would “deal” with people is appalling. I have autistic friends and raise a child on the spectrum both find comfort in the word. Your argument has no merit. I have a friend who loves to say sorry guys im autistic let me catch up a second when were in big groups and no on bats an eye no one criticizes. He says it helps him get people to understand which is what the puzzle piece is about. Maby take a look at how you are acting before arguing with the world. No one takes your opinion seriously when your talking about cutting off testicles and how it wont end well for people. As the saying goes you attract more with honey then shit.
“Whilst the people of the world agree that being unable to watch rotating ceiling fans without having PTSD flashbacks” *is highly problematic and needing treatment*
I’m a young adult on the autism spectrum. Personally, I like the puzzle piece because it represents uniqueness and how autism is just one piece of our personhood. I don’t understand maths very well, so the “infinity” symbol makes no sense to me. But that is just me.
A friend of mine is a wheelchair user. He has always said that he hates the term “person with a disability” and vastly prefers “disabled person” (which is the opposite of what I think I would prefer). I never pressed him on it, and dutifully changed my language. Secretly, though, I never really understood why…until reading the vitriol being spewed here. But I think I do, now. So, lesson gratefully learned. Perhaps it couldn’t be taught in terms less disgusting.
Why do you say that I am lying or confused. The n-word was not chosen by people of color and was used offensively, but many have reclaimed it because they feel that it describes them. The word “queer” was not chosen by people of gender and sexual minorities (of which I am one in addition to having autism) and was used offensively, but many have reclaimed it because they feel that it describes them. If someone offers a better alternative than the stupid infinity symbol (What the hell is infinity anyway?) or a rainbow (I find that to be appropriating LGBT symbols), then I would be happy to use it. I feel very upset that you say that I am lying. Why do you think that only your autistic experience is valid? It is called a spectrum for a reason, and people can have different opinions from you.
If I’m not entitled to an opinion, than neither are you. You claim to speak for all autistic people, but you are one person. Yes, I am only one person too. But I am one person who _is_ indeed on the spectrum for whom you do not speak. You also fail to address my arguments of people of color and LGBT people. You seem to think that only autistic people can experience discrimination and trauma. That is not true. If you are entitled to your freedom of speech, then I am entitled to mine. You can’t have it both ways. I already explained what I see the puzzle piece to mean to me: autism is one piece of my personhood, which comes together with all of the other pieces to form a whole identity. Also, autism is unique to every individual, as are all puzzle pieces; no one is the same. I have put a lot of thought into that. I studied graphic design in school and studied logo development and understand symbology. I have no idea what you are talking about about some star (why 7 points?) with runes (what are those?). Or chain link? All I can see is prison and slavery chains. Or the black flag. The very fact that you have to explain it so much probably means that it is not a very good symbol, since no one but you is going to understand it at a glance. A rectangle is also not very uniquely identifiable (i.e. when someone who knows nothing about autism sees your proposed flag, what are they going to learn from the symbol? How is it going to form a connection in their mind once they learn what autism is?
You also mention a fist raised in anger. You seem to be very angry and lash out at everyone around you. If you continue to lash out at your community (fellow autistics), you will have no one left to support you, since you obviously don’t give a fig for anyone who isn’t autistic. Your use of derogatory nicknames is unkind and will not win you any favors in convincing anyone of your _opinion_. Yes, it is an opinion, just like mine is. In the end, that’s all that there is. Truth is relative to our experiences, and obviously we’ve experienced life differently. I am sorry that your life has been so hard, as I do not have the same physical disorders and I greatly respect the efforts my parents made for me. However, excluding your peers based on _your_ perceptions of _your_ autism is incredibly exclusionary and rude.
Honestly the fact that you typed n-word instead of saying it is indicative of the fact that it’s inappropriate for non black people to say it. It pisses me off to no end when it’s used by non blacks. Has it been reclaimed? Yes. But the goal of reclaiming a word or term is often used to take power away from the oppressor. The term “queer works for the LGBT community because it’s a way to reject labels and classification but still have a unifying greater community. Aside from that the word itself just means different. It started off as an insult but the history of the word doesn’t span long enough for it to have gained the amount of power and visceral reactions. Accepting the puzzle piece does nothing for autistic people, and lends weight and credibility to our oppressors (especially autism speaks) as opposed to taking power from them. It’s a symbol of trying to cure what makes us who and what we are. If the rainbow was originally a symbol for conversion camps and electric shocks therapy for “curing” homosexuality I can assure you that it would not be the symbol that the queer community rallied behind. It’s an outdated symbol drenched in hatred and it needs to be burned.
I’m Métis and agree with the person who doesn’t like the affinity symbol used for autism.
It’s widely used by many people on the spectrum now, and it just makes me sad because that’s my peoples flag and we are a small people and not many hear our words or know we excist. It already means something to the Métis.
And not all autistics are good at math. I suck at math for example.
I actually like puzzle pieces. I think they’re cute, and they remind me of, well, puzzles! And problem solving. Which I enjoy doing. I wish we could reclaim the puzzle peice, but it seems the majority of my fellow autistic adults do not wish this.
So it has to be something else.
I just hope it’s my the infinity symbol. 🙁
That’s my cultures flag…
*not the infinity symbol.
Darn. Should have proof read.
hi teighlor! i know the chances of you seeing this are slim, but hopefully other métis autistics will see this:
what if the infinity symbol for autism were at an angle? i saw someone posting a lovely idea for a golden infinity symbol to represent autism, but now that i know it’s a métis symbol, i’m extremely hesitant to use any infinity symbol (as a white settler in canada, decolonializing is a necessary priority). however, considering how much traction that symbol has gained in the autism community, i’m wondering if there’s any way to modify the autism symbol so that it’s less easily confused with the métis symbol…
I’m Métis and agree with the person who stated they don’t like the affinity symbol used for autism.
It’s widely used by many people on the spectrum now, and I’ll be honest it annoys me because it already has a meaning to us as our flag; a symbol of unity and a never ending culture. We are a small people and not many hear our words or know we excist. It already means something to the Métis.
And not all autistics are good at math. I suck at math for example.
And I actually like puzzle pieces. I love the rainbow multiple puzzle pieces. I think they’re cute, and they remind me of, well, puzzles! And problem solving. Which I enjoy doing.
I wish we could reclaim the puzzle piece, but the majority of my fellow autistic adults do not wish this.
So it has to be something else.
I just hope the next autism symbol isn’t the infinity symbol.
Because if it becomes popular enough and people see me wearing a Métis pin, they’ll be like “oh autism!” And I’m autistic too, but I don’t want my Métis identity and my autism identity to clash. Ones cultural and the other is neurological.
Dean,
Thank you so much for everything you have posted on this article. I have a 4 year old autistic son. I was looking for ideas to get a tattoo representing my love for him. I wanted to get some variation with the puzzle. I am so glad I found this article and have had a chance to read your input.
Dean
I would offer this article for you to read…
https://bit.ly/2m5MXS1
Talking about Autism Spectrum Disorder
There are lots of different ways to talk about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We can talk about ASD medically, we can describe it through behaviour, we can talk about prevalence rates, we can talk about early detection and the importance of early evidence-based intervention, we can talk about the need for support for people with ASD across a lifespan, or we can talk about why advocacy is vital for building communities equipped to meet and support the changing needs of people on the spectrum.
It’s easy to think about ASD as a diagnosis, however, we are not talking about a diagnosis. We are talking about a person with ASD. We are talking about a person with individual needs. We are talking about a person with loving family members. We are talking about a person who needs to be accepted and included in her or his community, we are talking about a person who is granted equal opportunity preparing for and succeeding in adulthood.
From http://autisticadvocacy.org/2009/09/horrific-autism-speaks-i-am-autism-ad-transcript/ “I am autism ad transcript”:
“You think that because my child lives behind a wall, I am afraid to knock it down with my bare hands?”
“You have not properly been introduced to this community of parents and grandparents, of siblings and friends and schoolteachers and therapists and pediatricians and scientists.”
“Autism, if you are not scared, you should be.”
“When you came for my child, you forgot: you came for me.
Autism, are you listening?”
What you have gotten tattooed on your body is a symbol of people who hate you, do not fear you, in fact, treat you with contempt, ridicule you, lie about you in front of your face, and think the world would be made better if you and everyone like you were removed from it.
That is what the puzzle piece actually symbolises.
There are people like me who have tremors in their bodies and have flashbacks, or what I call “flash-forwards”, of bad confrontations with people who believe in the principles that the puzzle piece truly symbolises. That being autistic is somehow painful and that we are all locked away in a glass cage that is somehow created by autism, as opposed to their rampant discrimination against us.
“Also if the puzzle piece changes while I have a puzzle tattoo…well that’s like getting LGBT tattooed in a place where you can’t keep adding letters. People will just think you’re politically incorrect and uneducated. I refuse to be labeled dumb.”
So let me get this straight. You want a symbol that started its miserable, hateful existence as a symbol like https://the-art-of-autism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/NASlogo.gif , an image of a child crying “waaaaah being autistic is so bad, make me not autistic so my parents will stop abusing me, pleeeez” to not be changed, FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE?
And here was I led to believe that autistic people are, as a rule, smarter than the average bear, or more inclined to do their homework in a subject that is germane to them.
Do you see where I am coming from when I say that if I stormed Autism Speaks For Normie #$!@holes’ vaults and uncovered a hard drive with a list full of people they pay to pose as autistic and say that they like the puzzle piece, they want a cure, and that we should all call ourselves “…with autism”, that would not even mildly surprise me?
Because when I see puzzle piece symbols and hear the bullshit coming out of the mouths of the people waving it around, well, it is as I have told multiple psychologists and psychiatrists. I will first tell the authorities who control the space they are in that they can remove these creeps, or I will do it for them, and I shall be much less nice about it. Because even the thought of them being allowed to do so is making me shake and my brain tick over in a way that I desperately wish I had the superpower to make others experience.
Finally, claims that autistic people recognise one another through the puzzle piece are so gobsmacking and insensitive to the fact that I and doubtless many like me experience physical pain at the sight of puzzle pieces that it makes me think of this. Autistic people identifying themselves and each other with a symbol flashed everywhere by an enemy that wants them herded away and disappeared is like Jews identifying each other with swastikas.
And if you are going to say “this is different”, you are not a part of the problem, as well as my satellite to that problem. You are the problem, and my problem.
As the world’s best selling jigsaw puzzle artist, I LOVE the puzzle piece symbol.
WHY? Because I am also an Aspie. I have Aspergers. I do not suffer from ASD because Aspergers in NOT a disorder. It is simply a different way of seeing things.
I like the puzzle piece. I was recently diagnosed with autism and I’m 22 years old. Talk about a late diagnosis. I grew up thinking I only had ADD but it turns out I only had part of the puzzle. I was missing a piece of who I really am. I was ignoring the rest of me. And now I’m learning that sometimes puzzles are hard to understand and you can’t finish the picture when you have one piece missing.
It may sound ridiculous to others but to me it makes sense. To people like me it makes sense. Thankfully there seems to be a lot of people like me and we recognize each other through the puzzle piece symbol. I’m planning on making it my first tattoo. Im not ashamed of my brain for being different, I’m happy now because I understand myself better.
Also if the puzzle piece changes while I have a puzzle tattoo…well that’s like getting LGBT tattooed in a place where you can’t keep adding letters. People will just think you’re politically incorrect and uneducated. I refuse to be labeled dumb.
Hi foks,
Speaking as an autistic advocate, I would like to introduce those of you who are still getting notifications and those of you who are (re)visiting to the Going Gold campaign. Found here at https://autisticuk.org/going-gold-for-autism-acceptance/.
I may seem to be blowing my own trumpet a bit here, but I thought this would be relevant to the conversation. This came about from over a year ghosting around and dropping surveys and talking with advocates worldwide, so please give it the consideration it deserves.
All those consulted on this were autistic and over 7000 responses were considered from surveys. If I get permission from the others in this who are somewhat shyer,including those who are non-verbal; I will put the story and methodology and results into some form of readable format. Until then, we stuck with a simple explanation and an appeal. Thank you for reading.
I doubt anyone will even see this little comment or read it. But as an adult woman diagnosed very late as HFASD, I like the idea of a prism casting a rainbow made of puzzle pieces because we all fall on the spectrum and we are all put together together differently on it. Just my humble 2 cents worth as a HFASD single mom of a HFASD little boy.
I’m a 73 yo Aspie. I have no issue with the image of a jigsaw puzzle because it reminds me that, even if all the pieces are present, the PICTURE that reveals what it should look like IS missing. And it’s a slightly different picture for all of us.
The cover image on my Facebook Group sums it up pretty well for me.
And Dean, if it triggers you in any way, just avoid it, okay? If you view it, it’s a choice, especially now that I’ve told you. People who think that there should be laws limiting freedom of expression like you mention above need to get a grip and understand that ‘being offended’ is a CHOICE.
This. “ I also like it because it reminds us that each person, even though all grouped in as being on the spectrum, is still unique and has their own way of fitting in.”
Being autistic myself this is how I see the meaning of the puzzle piece. Even though that’s not what it was suppose to mean when it was created.
I see the puzzle piece as making a connection with autistic children . You have all the pieces there put it is up to individuals to connect with the child in your own way. Like puzzles they can be connected in many different ways depending on who is fixing them .
I have no issue with the puzzle piece, but I think a better symbol would be a fig. Why a fig? Because a fig is a flower that blooms internally. Isn’t that what we are – we look ugly to the neurotypicals, but inside we are beautiful?
On another note: I was listening to a song by the rock band Rammstein called ‘Links 2 3 4’ (Links is German for ‘left’). The lyrics go (translated from German as best as I can manage):
‘They want my heart to beat on my right,
but when I look down on my chest, it beats left!
Left – Two – Three – Four!’
That’s my experience with autism. The neurotypicals want my heart to beat on the right, as ‘everyone else’ does – but my autistic heart beats left. I can’t change that, and I won’t hurt myself by trying.
I liked very much Mike Leventhal’s view that today’s “shift in focus warrants a newer symbol – one of cooperation and sharing.”
Several people suggested a heart. I think a great symbol of “cooperation and sharing” would be not one heart, but two hearts…entwined. Entwined they can symbolize a committment as well as the ideas above. An ideal and a goal…not just a sign.
Autistic person here and I like the jigsaw symbolism but I think multiple puzzle pieces fitting together are a much better symbol. Show how we’re finding our place, how we’re solving our problems. One piece does kind of have the “missing piece” issues.
Not a fan of the rainbow infinity symbol because it looks too easily confused with gay pride stuff – nothing AGAINST gay pride, I just don’t think symbols which can be easily confused are good. Maybe make it a four-colour thing instead, if it must be kept? Red-green-yellow-blue? I’ve seen four-colour connected jigsaw pieces used for autism before, so a callback to that would work.
Minor comment/correction: “Allistic” ≠ neurotypical, it’s the word for people who are not autistic. A person who has ADHD or dyslexia but not autism is not neurotypical, but they *are* allistic.
My primary thought on this is that NTs are really puzzling. They often don’t make sense. Occasionally I do things that don’t make sense but I look at it and try for insight into my behaviour. I try to recognize that I am human and humans are funny beings. Many times I am hilarious in my lack of logic. I suspect most comedians are on or near the spectrum.
Thank you for your unbiased review. We have updated the old to be the new, which is everyone is a puzzle piece in our community … not just those with ASD! We have used it as inclusive instead of the community instead of a single piece on it’s own.
I have recently been diagnosed with Asperger’s, and am a fan of the puzzle piece and what it means to me on an individual level. For me it doesnt refer to a piece thats missing, not at all. It is descriptive of a piece of myself – it is an aspect, a piece of who I am. Like Karen Courtney, mentioned in the article, I am considering getting the puzzle piece as a tattoo to represent a part of myself that has been hidden for way too long.
Symbology is a very powerful language, I completely understand that, and we all feel comfortable with different imagery – it is human nature. But to say that a symbol must mean a particular thing or refer to a particular view or idea of the world is not supported by history. The Swastika, for instance, is a symbol that conjures up in the minds of most who see it images of the horrors of world war 2. However, the original meaning behind the symbol (which is actually commonly used in Hinduism) is peace – Hindi Swastikas are often garlanded with flowers. The meanings of symbols can be changed, for better or worse, either by society, by a group or by the individual. What a thing means to us as individuals has perhaps the most import in terms of defining something, and I choose to define the puzzle piece symbol as a positive thing. I understand that many people may and do feel very differently about this, and have good reasons for feeling the way they feel.
The puzzle piece to me represents that autism is the missing piece of the puzzle that makes me complete. That’s what draws me to the puzzle piece so much.
I’ve never seen such malicious, verbal attacks perpetrated on one another on any other type of blog/websites. My daughter is autistic….or should I say she has autism….or do I say she has a condition that is autistic in origin? Debating over what the puzzle piece did, does, should, or doesn’t represent. You people are too much. Acting like the puzzle piece is a swastika. That symbol stood for something else until the Nazis got a hold of it. Now that’s an example of a symbol that had to go. It’s not the label that matters. It’s the learning that matters. Oh and by the way, just for the record, I love the puzzle piece.
Regarding the puzzle piece. I feel that its just a symbol, it’s the message that’s important.
I don’t need a marketing or branding exercise in order to exist, nor does ‘awareness’ via such help me or my son much either, beyond making some NT’s feel good about themselves.
Personally I see a puzzle piece as being something missing, along the lines of being short of something (sandwich short of a picnic etc).
I’m not short of anything, or defective…I am just the way I am, as is my son.
However, each to their own, if it makes people feel better, or feel in community with others, who am I to say how they identify or what symbols that they use?
The puzzle piece is not very inclusive. It’s from the perspective of neuro-typicals & seems to force a perspective. Life is not a cookie cutter situation the way puzzles are. I like a comment above that says the puzzle piece was a logo for an organization, not a person. The puzzle piece is definitely not going to go over well with autistic people because it is not defined; that is, sometimes even in this article and photos, the pieces have parts that stick out, other pieces have the hollow parts, and potentially the piece could be any shape. That creates a lot of confusion.
As an autistic artist I prefer the puzzle piece over the Infinity symbol. I’ve struggled and had verbal fights with people over the fact that I’m terrible at math and science because apparently we’re all supposed to be good at it. So for that reason the Infinity symbol which can be seen as math related actually makes me uncomfortable and angry when other autistics try to push it on me.
I’ve always looked at the puzzle piece as a symbol that communicates the fact that each of us is different and unique and possibly even the piece that the world needs because we can see things from a different point of view. I never heard or saw anything bad about it until I was ridiculed by other autistics for using it. But the only other thing that was ever presented to me as an acceptable alternative makes me uncomfortable and was presented in a very upsetting way which didn’t help.
I think much like in the case of terminology we need to listen to each other and use (or let that person use) what makes them the most comfortable. I don’t think I should be shamed for using what makes me comfortable when I don’t shame others for using a symbol that makes me uncomfortable.
If anyone had a better suggestion then the Infinity I might think of switching, but due to a couple of different factors I will never use the Infinity symbol.
I’m on the spectrum, and I’m keeping my puzzle piece. It reminds me of the people who cared for me as a child. I miss them greatly. They were good people.
I prefer the puzzle piece over the new infinity symbol. I am an adult with Asperger Syndrome. I am always learning new things about myself. I feel like the puzzle is a good representation of me. I do not like the infinity symbol because I automatically think of math, and not everyone with Autism is a super math wiz or at the super wiz level. This doesn’t mean we are stupid or dumb in any way. It just means we learn at a different level. Each person with Autism is unique and different, like a puzzle piece.