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Autism symbol

WMaLu110

I, like many, take issue with the autism speaks and the association they’ve attached to certain colors and symbols. The blue puzzle piece is attached to them and it’s such a shame because removed from the association and symbolism of the blue puzzle piece, i think it is a very aesthetically pleasing symbol. I want a pin that is subtle but when people look at me they will know i am autistic so that my awkwardness in social setting s and my sensitivites to things are somewhat understood in advance, but the only other new symbol for autism awarness/acceptance is a rainbow infinity symbol .....which i’m afraid is likely to be confused as an lgbtq symbol. I am part of that community so im not saying there’s anything wrong with that but im afraid people wont understand what i want to communicate. Do you guys think this new symbol is prevalent enough that it wont be confused?

Parents

  • the jigsaw piece is probably the most dominant symbol for autism.  There are 2 versions blue and  a rainbow coloured jigsaw.

    i have a co-worker, she got a tattoo of the jigsaw on her wrist when she was diagnosed. She tried to get me to get one like hers but no way Slight smile

    the jigsaw piece symbol was created by the american autism society around 1999

    www.autism-society.org/.../

    i wish more autistic people did wear a symbol so we can help each other when out and about

  • in reply to aidie

    Oh so before autism speaks? Hmm thats interesting, every time i hear people discuss it that organization is brought up.  if thats the case that they aren’t fundamentally connected then....the puzzle piece seem to be the only recognizable connection to autism for many Neurotypical people. Yet the reminder of autism speaks with this symbol hurts many autistic people, complex things....idk how i view it anymore. guess my journey for another pin to add to my collection is probably gonna end temporarily while i look for unrelated pins to add. 

  • in reply to WMaLu110

    The puzzle piece is deeply offensive to me as it is many others.

    As I understand it the history of this is that it was concocted by NTs and used to label autistics. And not just any NTs but NT led orgs who were active in institutionalisation, abuse and experimental medication to 'cure' autism during the 20th century. As a result the puzzle piece icon is fundamentally tainted.

    There are parallels you could say with this and other icons and offensive caricatures applied to subjugated groups with protected characteristics (the use of yellow stars and golliwogs come to mind). 

    In my view, given the ways in which autistic people are still mis-understood and disenfranchised our community should be actively resisting this logo and adopt a new one.

  • in reply to Peter

    Ooh i like this one better (than the infinity symbol i’ve seen and refrenced before).

    the pastel gives it a more unique look than the million other rainbow symbols i’ve seen, plus, while i love vibrant colours (with in reason) some people dont like looking at such strong stuff, so i think it works better

  • in reply to Peter

    Hi Peter 

    for some reason it won’t open but sure - why not? With enough usage anything can become the dominant reference point. The *** managed to hijack the swastika from multiple non western cultures after all

  • in reply to aidie

    Hi Adie 

    To clarify that was definitely not an attack on anyone rather a clarion call for us to resist this outdated logo. 

  • in reply to aidie

    Really? I didn't read it that way. Maybe I'm just very dense or thick skinned but it seems to me it was the logo he was criticising not the OP. It didn't strike me as a personal attack. Indeed the OP herself has said she has negative feelings towards some of the organisations that use that symbol. I'm not weighing in on whether I think symbols are or can be offensive or not ... but expressing that opinion doesn't seem like an attack.

  • in reply to Exhibit A

    that's a nasty attack for no reason on a newbie to this forumn

Reply Children
  • in reply to aidie

    Hi Adie 

    To clarify that was definitely not an attack on anyone rather a clarion call for us to resist this outdated logo. 

  • in reply to aidie

    Really? I didn't read it that way. Maybe I'm just very dense or thick skinned but it seems to me it was the logo he was criticising not the OP. It didn't strike me as a personal attack. Indeed the OP herself has said she has negative feelings towards some of the organisations that use that symbol. I'm not weighing in on whether I think symbols are or can be offensive or not ... but expressing that opinion doesn't seem like an attack.