Autism Symbols & Colors: An Overview of the Most Recognizable Icons

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Learn about the history and meaning of different autism symbols
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What are the major symbols associated with autism acceptance and awareness? Whether you’re on the autism spectrum or just want to show your support for the autism community, knowing which symbols to use (and the language surrounding them) is important. In this article, we’ll tell you all about the most prominent autism symbol currently used by the autism community (the infinity rainbow), as well as other symbols that are considered controversial and even harmful to autistic people. Without further ado, let’s take a closer look!

A Brief Introduction to Autism Symbols

There’s no official autism symbol, although the rainbow or gold infinity symbol is popular in the autism community, representing the diversity and possibilities existing within the autism spectrum. The puzzle piece is another prominent symbol, but autistic people widely reject it for perpetuating harmful ideas.

Section 1 of 5:

Modern Autism Symbols

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  1. 1
    Infinity symbol The infinity symbol as a symbol for autism was first conceived in 2005. As the majority of the autistic community has stopped supporting the use of the puzzle piece, the infinity has become the new, widespread symbol of autism instead. This infinity symbol can be depicted in a couple of different ways; there’s a gold version and a rainbow variant, with the rainbow representing the idea of neurodiversity and the entire spectrum of autism. [1]
    • Ultimately, the choice of symbolism within the autism community comes down to personal preference. While many prefer the infinity symbol, some do use the puzzle piece with the intention of reclaiming its meaning.
    • Why is the infinity symbol so meaningful? The infinity symbol is inclusive, promotes acceptance of autism, and symbolizes the infinite diversity and possibilities that exist within the autism spectrum. Unlike the puzzle piece, the infinity symbol is focused on the many strengths and capabilities of autistic individuals (rather than their differences from neurotypical individuals). [2]
  2. 2
    Butterfly The butterfly is a more recent symbol, and some autism advocates have put it forth as a replacement for the puzzle piece symbol. Butterflies represent change, and, in the context of autism acceptance, they also represent the diversity of people on the autism spectrum (as well as the many ways in which the differences of autistic people are beautiful). [3]
    • Some butterfly symbols for autism are depicted with their wings made of multicolored or rainbow puzzle pieces.
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  3. 3
    Rainbow Although rainbows are usually depicted as part of the infinity symbol (discussed above), it’s worth mentioning rainbows on their own. The many colors within the rainbow represent the full autism spectrum (and neurodiversity as a whole), demonstrating the wide range of experiences and perspectives present within the autistic community. [4]
  4. 4
    The color blue World Autism Acceptance (or Awareness) Day is celebrated on April 2nd of each year. On that day, the “Light It Up Blue” campaign is, for some people, part of the celebrations. It involves wearing blue to show support for autism acceptance; additionally, some institutions and attractions put out blue lights (such as Niagara Falls and the Empire State Building). [5]
    • The Light It Up Blue campaign is mainly spearheaded by Autism Speaks, which is a controversial nonprofit organization dedicated to autism advocacy (though criticized by the autism community itself).
    • Thus, some activists have suggested other colors for autism awareness—such as activist Alanna Rose Whitney’s #RedInstead social media campaign.
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Section 2 of 5:

The Autism Puzzle Piece & Controversy

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  1. 1
    The puzzle piece suggests that autistic people have a “missing piece.” The most prominent puzzle piece symbol features a multi-colored design and interlocking pieces. The puzzle piece was originally intended to symbolize the many unknowns of autism, while the bright colors represented the hope for awareness and acceptance. However, many in the autism community feel the puzzle piece also implies that autism is a puzzle that must be fixed. [6]
    • The puzzle piece symbol design was first introduced by Gerald Gasson, the father of an autistic child, in 1963.
    • The worry is that the puzzle piece misrepresents the autistic community, making it seem like something is missing from autistic people, or that they need to be cured to be “complete.”
    • Controversial organizations like Autism Speaks still use the puzzle piece. Autism Speaks has been widely protested and criticized by the autistic community for failing to represent autistic people properly. [7]
  2. 2
    There’s also a puzzle ribbon symbol that has been criticized. The ribbon symbol is made up of differently-colored puzzle pieces—and like the original puzzle piece symbol, it’s criticized for perpetuating the idea that autistic people need to be fixed or solved, and that they’re somehow incomplete. Additionally, autistic writer Paula Jessop stated that making an autistic symbol out of a ribbon implies that autism is a disease to be cured. [8]
    • According to Jessop, the entire campaign surrounding the puzzle-ribbon symbol had a negative feel to it, as though modelled on campaigns to raise awareness for diseases like cancer. [9]
    • In reality, autism is, obviously, very much not a disease or a condition to be cured. So, understandably, the autistic community doesn’t want their symbols perpetuating such harmful ideas.
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Section 3 of 5:

Is there an official autism symbol?

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  1. There is no single “official” symbol representing autism. There is a puzzle piece symbol that, until recently, was likely the most widely used symbol to represent autism. However, many autistic people have spoken up, denouncing the puzzle piece symbol as harmful and problematic. So, while some still use it, it’s considered controversial and not representative of the autistic community as a whole. [10]
    • One of the main critiques of the puzzle piece is that it implies autism is a problem to be solved.
    • However, other, more positive symbols have arisen that represent autism as well; we’ll go over those in the next section!
Section 4 of 5:

Is there a neurodiversity symbol?

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  1. The rainbow infinity symbol has also become a symbol for neurodiverity. The main symbol for neurodiversity is actually the rainbow infinity symbol; in addition to being an autism symbol, it’s also intended to represent acceptance and support for the entire neurodiverse community (and all forms of neurodiversity therein). It also represents the lifelong nature of neurodivergent conditions. [11]
    • “Neurodiversity” is a term used to explain the different ways people’s brains work, and being neurodivergent simply means having a brain that works differently from the average, or “neurotypical” brain.
    • Neurodivergent conditions include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, OCD, and Tourette’s Syndrome, among others.
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Section 5 of 5:

Identity-First Language in the Autism Community

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  1. The 2010s saw a rise in identity-first language in regards to autism. This refers to terms like “autistic person” over “person with autism,” thus embracing autism as a part of that person’s identity and who they are; after all, autism is lifelong, not a separate condition to be fixed. Back in the 1980s, terms like “person with autism” were considered respectful; nowadays, identity-first language has become preferable within the autism community.
    • Person-first language (like “person with autism”) was initially used to avoid defining people by their diagnosis alone.
    • However, identity-first language became the preference as many in the autism community want people to understand that autism is a fundamental, inseparable aspect of themselves.
    • It just goes to show that, as understanding and acceptance of autism have evolved over the years, so have the language and symbology surrounding it!

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      References

      1. ↑ https://columbusspeech.org/talk-tips-to-go-autism-wording-meaning-and-symbols-/
      2. ↑ https://childwiseaba.com/autism-symbols/
      3. ↑ https://columbusspeech.org/talk-tips-to-go-autism-wording-meaning-and-symbols-/
      4. ↑ https://childwiseaba.com/autism-symbols/
      5. ↑ https://www.nysenate.gov/sites/default/files/How+to+LIUB+Flyer+Horizontal+INT+PROD+v4_0.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/autism-no-puzzle-nothing-wrong-with-us/
      7. ↑ https://autisticadvocacy.org/2009/10/disability-community-condemns-autism-speaks/
      8. ↑ https://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/autism-no-puzzle-nothing-wrong-with-us/
      9. ↑ https://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/autism-no-puzzle-nothing-wrong-with-us/
      1. ↑ https://childwiseaba.com/autism-symbols/
      2. ↑ https://autisticprideday.org/about-us/what-is-rainbow-infinity/

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