The puzzle piece has been a widely recognized symbol associated with autism awareness for decades. Its presence on ribbons, logos, and merchandise has made it a familiar icon to the public. However, the puzzle piece is also a subject of significant debate within the community it is meant to represent. This symbol’s history, original meaning, and subsequent rejection by many autistic self-advocates reveal a profound shift in how autism is understood and discussed today.
The Genesis of the Puzzle Piece
The puzzle piece symbol originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s. It was designed in 1963 by Gerald Gasson, a board member of the National Autistic Society (NAS) in London, for the organization’s new logo. The symbol was quickly adopted and became a pervasive symbol for autism awareness globally.
The initial design was not simply a puzzle piece but a green and black piece featuring a drawing of a crying child. This visual element was included to represent the idea that people with autism suffered from their condition. The NAS later evolved its logo, but the puzzle piece itself became an enduring symbol, particularly after the Autism Society of America adopted a puzzle-piece ribbon in 1999.
The Original Symbolic Intent
The creators of the symbol intended the puzzle piece to represent the perplexing nature of the condition. Autism, at the time, was poorly understood, and the image was meant to convey the “puzzling” quality of the disorder to those outside the community. The symbol highlighted the challenges involved in studying and understanding autism.
The weeping child inside the original design reflected the prevailing societal view that autism was a tragic burden. This perspective framed autism as a missing piece of the human condition that needed to be solved through increased research and awareness. The original intent was to promote understanding and advocacy by emphasizing the mystery and the perceived suffering associated with the condition.
Why the Autistic Community Rejects the Symbol
Many autistic self-advocates and organizations reject the puzzle piece due to its historical context and negative implications. A primary objection is the implication that autistic people are incomplete or are a “problem to be solved.” The symbol reinforces the idea that an autistic person is “missing something” and needs to be fixed or cured.
The puzzle piece is seen as promoting a deficit-based view, focusing on what is lacking rather than recognizing the unique strengths and perspectives of autistic individuals. The symbol’s association with specific, often criticized, parent-led organizations that have historically prioritized “cure” narratives also contributes to its rejection.
The original design featuring a crying child is viewed as infantilizing, treating autism as a childhood disorder and ignoring the needs and experiences of autistic adults. The symbol’s history is seen as tainted by organizations that did not include autistic voices in their decision-making.
Symbols Advocated by the Community
The neurodiversity movement has adopted alternative symbols that promote acceptance and celebration of difference. The most common alternative is the Rainbow Infinity Symbol, a sideways figure-eight in rainbow colors. This symbol represents infinite possibilities and the acceptance of all forms of neurodiversity, not just autism.
The rainbow colors signify the diversity of the autism spectrum and the variations of the human mind. The infinity symbol is preferred because it emphasizes wholeness, acceptance, and the fact that autism is a natural variation of the human condition, not a disease requiring a cure. Other related symbols include a gold infinity symbol, used to represent neurodiversity and pride, and the butterfly symbol, which represents change, growth, and the beauty of individual differences.