Why the Puzzle Piece is a Problem
The puzzle piece is a well recognised symbol for autism. However, for most autistic people it is offensive and harmful.
It originated in 1963 in the National Autistic Society's logo of a white, weeping child enclosed in a puzzle piece.
7 Reasons Why the Puzzle Piece is a Problem:
? 1 It originates from negative, ableist views of autism.
The 1963 logo was designed based on allistic (non-autistic) perceptions of autism as a tragedy, a sufferance, and a burden. The puzzle piece representing autism imprisons a lone, weeping, white child.
It implies that autism is: tragic, burdensome, confining, alienating, lonely, sufferance, and only exists in white children. To this day, BAME children are underdiagnosed and undersupported. Neurodiversity research continues to use a white lens.
? 2 It has been used in public campaigns which harm the autistic community.
Autism Speaks has used the puzzle piece in harmful and negative campaigns about autism. These campaigns spread misinformation, the idea that autism is a tragedy to cure, and public hostility towards the autistic community.
The puzzle piece is now globally associated with Autism Speaks, its views, and the harm it has caused.
? 3 Autistic people are not incomplete.
The puzzle piece has been used to portray autistic people as puzzles with pieces missing. This insinuates autistic people are incomplete - inherently deficient, flawed, ‘less than’, and in need of completion, fixing or cure.?
Autistic spiky profiles (which contrary to this stereotype include strengths) are dismissed rather than understood and appreciated. To suggest autism is a puzzle or problem to be solved is to suggest the eradication of autism and autistic people.
? 4 It dehumanises autistic people.
The puzzle piece implies that autistic people are puzzling or cryptic, as if they are unsolved mysteries or conundrums. This dehumanises autistic people as specimens, curiosities, or codes to be cracked.
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? 5 Autistic people do fit in.
The stereotype of autistic people not ‘fitting in’ is perpetuated by the puzzle piece. It fails to acknowledge that it is impossible to ‘fit in’ where you are excluded. The problem is a lack of inclusion, not autistic people.
? 6 It infantilises autistic people.
Using a child’s toy, commonly in childish colours and designs, to symbolise autism infantilises autistic people.?
Autistic adults are reduced to game playing children, fuelling harmful stereotypes. It reinforces the existing widespread, unfair treatment of autistic adults as children, and the unwarranted questioning of autistic people’s intelligence and ability.
A toy symbolising autism implies:
? autism only exists in childhood and can be ‘grown out of’;
? autistic people are immature and childlike;
? autistic adults are to be treated as children;
? autism and autistic people are not to be taken seriously.
? 7 Autistic people do not exist for others’ entertainment.
Puzzles, as toys, reinforce the idea that autistic people are like games, playthings, or sources of entertainment to others.
Autistic people are often mocked, ridiculed, teased, and laughed at for being autistic. This poor treatment is not limited to the playground, instead following autistic people in to adulthood in to their workplaces and personal lives.
I would assume this author is not autistic, and would prefer they not speak for our community. I can't speak for others, but I do not interpret autism (as someone on the spectrum) and this symbol as this article describes them. IMHO, you should change the verbiage from "a majority" to "some" to be accurate. My son also does not interpret the puzzle piece as negative either. It, in my and my son's opinion (yes, we have discussed it, because obsessing is what we do...) It is a good symbol. It shows we are a unique part of society, a piece to the puzzle. Without us, society is incomplete. We are shaped different and our challenge is to find our place. My 2-cents.
Sr. Systems Engineer at Applied Digital (APLD)
7 个月I saw your piece. I understand the history here. But as a person who is on the spectrum, I am really disappointed that you feel like you can treat the whole community as a single object that remains terrorized by these events, and that we are powerless to respond on our own. In that regard, I see you as no better than the damaging groups that have been formed in the past around the topic of Autism. Since this month is Autism Acceptance Month, I will point people to some alternative resources that will hopefully help guide people to some more positive outcomes: https://autismsociety.org/autism-acceptance-month/ https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/toolkit.html https://www.nimh.nih.gov/get-involved/digital-toolkit-for-national-autism-acceptance-month
As we gear up for Autism Awareness Month in April, I'm diving into preparations for our nonprofit's social media campaign. I want to ensure we're thoughtful and respectful in our approach. Can anyone provide guidance on which graphics are considered appropriate to use? We want to raise awareness without inadvertently causing harm or offense. Your insights would be greatly appreciated!