Our collective understanding and perceptions of autism—or more importantly, autistic people—continue to evolve for the better and truer. The visual symbols that represent autism have morphed in tandem. The key driver of change? Autistic voices. They are now, more and more, driving the conversation and design. It’s made all the difference.
Formerly saturated with visuals created by well-meaning and often fearful neurotypical people concerned about raising awareness, the space has moved toward multi-dimensional, celebratory symbols informed or created by the autistic community to illuminate acceptance and pride.
As an autism symbol, the puzzle piece dates back to 1963 when in the UK, the parent of an autistic child designed the National Autistic Society’s first logo, framing autism as a “puzzling condition.”
The organization’s mark has undergone dramatic visual change over the years, serving as a prime example of how the conversation and visual representation have changed over time—with varying degrees of authenticity measured in the depth of autistic representation within organizations. As shown above, the wholeness of a circle stands in stark contrast to a lone puzzle piece. Vibrancy has replaced a division of dark colors.
We’re people, not puzzles, we’re whole, there’s nothing wrong with us. There are indeed communication barriers between autistic people and neurotypicals, but they go both ways, we are not the puzzle.
—Autistic Alex
The move is in keeping with growing recognition that even outside the realm of autism, the puzzle piece has negative connotations. A study showed widespread interpretation as a symbol of “imperfection, incompletion, uncertainty, difficulty, the state of being unsolved, and, most poignantly, being missing.” In fact, puzzle pieces elicit “negative implicit bias” as well as “negative explicit associations” in the general public.
In 1999, the Autism Society presented the autism awareness ribbon. It’s a colorful tapestry of puzzle pieces in the form of a ribbon, taking on the style of other “awareness” efforts, i.e. the iconic pink breast cancer ribbon. The ribbon design implication is that autism is a problem to solve, and that we must be vigilant. Some see a childlike feel in the color scheme and pattern, reflecting a space that for so long ignored the existence of autistic adults and was dominated by the concerns of parents rather than autistic individuals of all ages.
The Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon is the most enduring and recognized symbol of the autism community in the world. Yet, views about the iconic marker are as diverse and wide-ranging as the spectrum it represents.
—Autism Society website
Recognizing the intensifying debate around symbolism, the Autism Society opened an online dialogue and shared feedback on both sides.
Autism Speaks’ huge and controversial presence, ever since its founding in 2005, served to popularize the blue puzzle piece as the dominant symbol and color. While some autistic people do identify with the icon, a clear majority do not. Rejection of the blue puzzle piece is rooted in concerns about the organization’s consistent framing of autism as a specter, and the reality that only a small portion of the massive funds raised actually go toward improving life, or creating any difference whatsoever, for autistic people.
The new look is meant to be welcoming and inclusive, while remaining bold and confident in our work to support people with autism and their families.
—Autism Speaks website
An Autism Speaks rebrand left the omnipresent puzzle piece intact but adjusted the colors and shape. The design reads as an attempt to retain existing brand equity, despite problematic associations, while embracing the shifts that had already taken hold in the world of autism advocacy and related design.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), founded in 2006 by and for autistic people, crafted a beacon of a logo that conveys strength through interconnectedness and vibrant diversity. There is also a pleasant feeling of geometry, again in sharp contrast to puzzle pieces’ form and intention.
ASAN’s work has always been about fighting for our right to be included. We’ve always been strong about promoting inclusive education, inclusive workplaces.
—Ari Ne’eman, ASAN co-founder
It's no coincidence that ASAN was born as a reaction and passionate rebuke to an alarmist and ableist prevailing dialogue surrounding autism.
According to Neuroclastic, an online community and resource dubbed “The Autism Spectrum According to Autistic People,” an overwhelming majority of autistic people prefer the gold infinity symbol for autism, or the rainbow infinity symbol for neurodiversity (see below), over the puzzle piece.
Personally I like the idea of a gold infinity symbol—Infinite possibilities of personality, function, traits, challenges, skills and potential. And gold as the first two letters of autism and autistic are Âû the chemical notation for gold.
—Jodi Murphy
In 2016, Twainbow unveiled an Autism Pride flag to celebrate autistic members of the LGBTQ+ community. Studies show that gender identity and sexuality are more varied among autistic people than in the general population.
One of the two main autism symbols, the infinity sign shows strength, potential, and pride. The primary colors are capable of composing all other colors of the rainbow, so it represents the overlap of autism onto every other Pride gradient, since those on the autism spectrum are found in every country, sex, race, religion, and sexual orientation.
—Louis Molnar, Director of Twainbow
Color and symbol aside, the mere form of a flag, as opposed to a ribbon, for example, stakes a claim. This is clearly a positive and unmistakable statement of pride for a group overlooked for too long.
Created by neurodiversity advocates, the rainbow infinity symbol was initially used to represent Autistic Pride Day on June 18th, founded by Aspies for Freedom in 2005.
The symbol, intended to reflect “diversity with infinite variations and infinite possibilities,” has become widespread and beloved. On twitter throughout April, Autism Acceptance Month (formerly Autism Awareness Month), the rainbow infinity symbol appeared alongside #AutismAcceptance in many thousands of tweets.
More change is needed. The fight for inclusion continues, as evidenced in outrageously high unemployment rates for autistic adults of up to 85%, for example. However, it appears that finally, the visual and literal conversation is increasingly and rightly fueled by the voices, needs, realities, challenges, hopes, and dreams of autistic people. Against incredible resistance, they have fought to be heard and are turning pain and misunderstanding into beautiful futures for generations to come.