Autism Speaks has previously called autism a disease, and has said statements such as, “This disease has taken our children away. It represents the search for answers that will lead to greater understanding and acceptance of people on the autism spectrum, their diverse challenges, abilities and strengths.” The “search for answers” that Autism Speaks refers to is the search for cures and treatments.
Autism Speaks said in a statement that, “The blue Autism Speaks puzzle piece has had a huge influence on raising awareness of autism around the world, which is why we believe it is still a worthy and effective logo. Even today, the puzzle piece logo of Autism Speaks can be seen on it’s website, in advertisements and public service announcements, on T-shirts, on pins NBA coaches wear in April, and in their Autism Walks. Since the organization was founded in 2005, they have used the puzzle piece logo to spread autism awareness. Today, the most recognized use of the puzzle piece is through the organization, Autism Speaks, who popularized the symbol.
#Pieces meaning full
The brightness of the ribbon signals hope – hope that through increased awareness of autism, and through early intervention and access to appropriate services/supports, people with autism will lead full lives able to interact with the world on their own terms.” But hope in this context, through “increased awareness of autism, and through early intervention,” usually means through increased research of cures and treatments for autism, and through early interventions, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis, that seek to “correct” autistic behaviors by forcing autistic people to mask their autism. The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families living with the condition. The Autism Society stated that, “The puzzle piece pattern reflects the complexity of the autism spectrum. In 1999, the Autism Society of America created the puzzle piece ribbon as a symbol of autism awareness. This visualization of autism has led to decades of autistic people receiving unwanted treatments and therapies to treat a disease that they don’t have. He and the rest of the board believed that autistic people suffered from a “puzzling” condition, so they adopted a logo of a puzzle piece with a weeping child, displaying the notion that autism is a tragedy that children suffer from. It was created by Gerald Gasson, a board member for the National Autistic Society. The origin of the puzzle piece symbol for autism came from the United Kingdom organization, the National Autistic Society in 1963.
Despite overwhelming opposition for the puzzle piece symbol by autistic people, it remains the most commonly used and recognized symbol for autism.
Not only was the puzzle piece symbol used without input from the autistic community, but it has been used to stigmatize and dehumanize autistic people for decades, and continues to be used in this manner today. While there are some autistic people who may identify with the puzzle piece, a large majority of autistic people don’t. But one question is commonly forgotten what do autistic people themselves think of the puzzle piece symbol? On World Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd), many neurotypical people show support and spread “autism awareness” for their autistic family members and friends by displaying the puzzle piece ribbon, wearing puzzle piece pins, and put puzzle piece stickers and decals on their car bumpers and windows. But many people are unaware of it’s ableist history. The puzzle piece is the most commonly recognized symbol for autism awareness.
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