Sunflowers

For me, I've not had any negative reactions from wearing mine, in fact a couple of my friends have got them for their own hidden disabilities. Before I did get mine though, I was unsure whether people would react differently, as up until last year, I didn't wear one. During COVID was when I saw loads more people wearing them and had a couple of people had such negative reactions from certain skeptics and bullies, that made me unsure initially about getting one myself xx

I've been thinking of this since it was posted, and I took the plunge and bought wristbands and lanyards tonight. (The rubber wristband for my son). Generally I can manage in shops, it's other times like when we take the ferry to Ireland is harder - people are so close to you and can be so noisy that I can get overwhelmed. 

Does anyone find that wearing a lanyard or other identifier makes people react differently more negatively maybe or does it have a positive impact, or does no one notice? I ask because I see so many people wearing different lanyards that I more or less don't see them anymore.

I wear a lanyard but I attach it to my wallet which already has a little chain so its semi visible from my pockets. If I make it out of the house for food, I switch to the rubber wrist band. I was hesitant at first but its fine now. I usually spot a fellow sunflower whilst shopping and we always raise a smile whilst walking past one another. I didn't know about gold vs rainbow thanks Bunny 

I have a Sunflower pin badge, lanyard and also a wristband - but wear them at different times for different reasons.

Pin Badge - constantly on my handbag strap, so if I want to show it, I can, but if not then I can just switch it around (so the back of the badge is showing) or pop it into my bag if I want to hide it entirely.

Lanyard/Card - I use this if I am going to either the hospital, train journeys or airports - this is especially useful at airports as I know that there are airports around the world that recognise it and when I went to and from Toronto last year, as soon as staff saw it, me and my parents were going straight through the 'special access' route - I didn't wear it for that purpose, but it was good that staff recognised it and knew what to do.

Silicone Wristband - Initially, I got this in January for when I go swimming etc. but now I have started to wear it next to my watch strap that has my Medical Alert band on it - so if, as and when I do pass out or am unwell, people can see (or should look) the green band and my medical alert is literally above it.

As someone else said (Bunny - I think), the Sunflower emblem isn't just for autism, but for lots of other hidden medical needs as well. I've got a rare genetic Liver condition which does cause me to be in pain, tired and nauseous every day, but if I have a major flare up (like last weekend), I have to either go to A&E or have oral morphine at home. I was only diagnosed with this condition in October and initially hid it from people until I could understand the condition properly myself. Now, after last weekends shenanigans, I've decided that more people need to be aware of my condition, how it affects me normally, but also understand that when I do have a flare up - it can be serious xx

I wear a lanyard and have a autism badge too and in Summer add to the mix with a jokey autism T shirt. Well if you are proud of it then flaunt it! Besides I get odd looks no matter what.   

Hmmm...

In places where staff are trained to recognise this potential benefits yes.

A way to signal to others with hidden disabilities yes.

Maybe a way in a longer term strategy to increase public awareness and consideration.

Do I wear one personally no and I wonder why...

Part of this is the kick back that I shouldn't have to in order for people to treat me with consideration and care...

However this is pragmatically foolish perhaps.

So after thinking on the post I plan to get one and keep it in my pocket for situations where it might be useful to signal to those who want/need to know - e.g if one day i am brave enough to venture into airports or public services.

thanks for the stimulus to consider this Professor Precise-a-bug  

I bought this social battery level badge, but keep it on my coffee table. This way, I consider where I am before I go out. I sometimes wear the sunflower lanyard in Tesco and find the shop assistants kind and helpful. I like to 'signal' to other autistics when out shopping but I agree the lanyard is clunky. I like the badge on the boy with a black jumper in Bunny 's post, but the trouble with butterfly closures is  they easily ping off. I asked the ebay seller of the social battery badge if she could provide a safety-pin closure and she kindly did this for me. It's always worth asking!

I just bought this cute sunflower with 'diamonds' with safety pin style back. 

Cinnabar_wing said:

I suppose one positive for the sunflower is not having to specify your condition to everyone, so gives you some privacy if you prefer. And knowing what all the symbols mean can be confusing, like you say with the rainbow crossover. So a simpler system is more likely to be understood by more people? Although people will have to ask you what you need

I agree - that’s why I use Sunflower scheme products.

For anyone who wants to add something more autism-specific, an infinity symbol could give extra insight to those who recognise it, but I wouldn’t rely on that alone.

As a side note, I do occasionally think about getting an infinity symbol tattoo 

Cinnabar_wing said:

flash the message when needed!

But men need to be super careful if doing something like this - it would be awful to be picked up by police because some idiot took the wrong meaning [some people jump around on the least excuse, without checking!).

Bunny said:

The puzzle piece is probably best avoided, due to having a contentious history - although I've seen some social media discourse recently that's in favour of "reclaiming" it.

It is a difficult topic -I heard on an american podcast, a women put her kid in a puzzlepiece top, and got backlash from the autistic community. But she said her local Fire and Police recognised it, and being likely to incur strong racial prejudice, the most important thing was to keep him safe and not have firearms drawn on him (which she said had happened once when his ipad was mistaken for a weapon by police!) Overhere that might be different, but if you are more visable with your autism as you say, letting people know might be more important for safety.

I suppose one positive for the sunflower is not having to specify your condition to everyone, so gives you some privacy if you prefer. And knowing what all the symbols mean can be confusing, like you say with the rainbow crossover. So a simpler system is more likely to be understood by more people? Although people will have to ask you what you need.

I can see so many sides to all of this!

Whilst the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is probably the most widely-recognised symbol, it covers many hidden disabilities and conditions, not just autism specifically (although lanyards are available and can be customised for specific conditions).

If you want to wear something that's more autism-specific, whether as well as or instead of the sunflower, then an infinity symbol is probably the best option.

A gold infinity symbol is usually used specifically for autism, whereas a rainbow infinity symbol is usually used to represent autism alongside other forms of neurodivergence (eg autism and Tourette's, autism and ADHD, etc). But some people might not recognise the distinction, and some might interpret the rainbow element differently because of its other associations (eg LGBTQ+ pride).

The puzzle piece is probably best avoided, due to having a contentious history - although I've seen some social media discourse recently that's in favour of "reclaiming" it.

Professor Precise-a-bug said:

when it comes to the Big A there are no visible signs

I should also just flag that this kind of statement risks overlooking many autistic people, because some outwardly visible traits can and do exist. For example: differences in eye contact, facial expression, body language, posture, gait, stimming, use of sensory aids (like Patience with her headphones in the Channel 4 drama), and visible signs of sensory overload or distress.

You could have so much fun with those. I liked the one that said 'I am non-verbal, not deaf'. i would imagine you could wear it on the inside of your coat and flash the message when needed!

Hmm, seeing that wristband one, I am wondering if it might help my son navigate high school next year. I would have to ask if he'd be interested though, but perhaps it would help with all the different teachers instead of explaining.

My first thought when seeing the badge saying Hello I am autistic.. was it should say

Hello I am autistic. You are wrong Get over it. 

But that probably would not make friends especially because of the truth of it. 

The ones my girlfriend got are similar to the one worn by the chap in the black top but without the green border so just the petals and seeds. I like them because they are very subtle.

As Expecto_Patronum  says, there is nothing worse than shoving it into the open.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme also offers more discreet options than lanyards, all still featuring its official sunflower logo and including:

- Chest ribbon
- Pin badge
- Embroidered patch
- Wristbands
- Bag tag

Hidden Disabilities - Shop > All wearer products

I wear each of these at different times. I've had some compliments, in particular, about my chest ribbon (which has always still been recognised as relating to the scheme).

I struggle with this. I can't think of anything worse than walking around with a lanyard covered in sunflowers. I don't like to be noticed and don't want to advertise my diagnosis. However, there are times like at hospital appointments where it would be much easier if other people were aware.

I sometimes wear a badge to events which I composed / selected and bought from this UK supplier.

You can choose the style, size, colour and message wording which best suits your situation / identify preference etc.

They double-check the text with you by email and carefully pack the badge for posting to you.

I have two different badges, which are easy to keep in my bag and swap over to suit the situation and message most appropriate to a given part of my day's activities.

www.ebay.co.uk/.../126021556689