For decades, the jigsaw puzzle piece has stood as a universal symbol for autism, finding its place on charity logos, awareness ribbons, and even on the skin of well-intentioned parents. However, for many autistic adults, this symbol is not just outdated but offensive, symbolizing a history of misunderstanding, pathologization, and exclusion from their own narratives.
Back in 1963, the UK’s National Autistic Society unveiled the puzzle piece logo, designed by a non-autistic parent of an autistic child. This initial symbol, featuring a crying child within a puzzle piece, aimed to portray autism as a perplexing condition causing distress. The imagery gained further traction when the Autism Society of America introduced a ribbon adorned with colorful puzzle pieces in 1999, reinforcing the notion that autism was a puzzle to be solved.
Notably, the puzzle piece became more widely recognized when Autism Speaks, founded in 2005, adopted a blue puzzle piece as its logo. However, to some autistic advocates, this symbol serves as a “red flag,” signaling a lack of full respect or understanding towards autistic individuals.
Many critics argue that the puzzle piece emblem implies that autistic individuals are incomplete or problematic, aligning with the medical model of autism that emphasizes deficits and conformity to non-autistic behavior. In contrast, proponents of the social model of autism view autism as a difference to be embraced rather than a flaw to be corrected, highlighting the societal barriers that hinder autistic acceptance and understanding.
The social model of disability, endorsed by an increasing number of autism researchers, underscores the importance of recognizing and accommodating neurodiversity in society. This concept challenges the notion that neurological differences like autism are abnormalities, advocating instead for their acceptance as natural variations within the human population.
In recent years, major autism organizations have distanced themselves from the puzzle piece symbol due to its negative connotations. The National Autistic Society and the Autism Society of America have phased out the puzzle piece from their branding, signaling a shift towards more inclusive and respectful representations of autism.
Research indicates that the puzzle piece imagery often evokes feelings of inadequacy and imperfection, prompting many autistic individuals to seek more positive and affirming symbols. One such alternative is the rainbow infinity symbol, championed by autistic advocates to celebrate the diversity of the neurodivergent community, including those with autism.
Another symbol gaining traction is the gold infinity symbol, specifically representing autism by incorporating the chemical symbol for gold, “Au,” the first two letters of autism. As autistic voices grow louder, advocating for self-representation, the resounding message is clear – the puzzle piece no longer speaks for the autistic community.