On the use of the puzzle piece - Autism

Comic by Doodle Beth

If you see me around this year, you'll notice that I now have water bottles with stickers. It is a way for me to express myself and make drinking water more interesting. One sticker I am very happy to have is the rainbow infinity symbol. If you teach at my school, you'll also notice that I have a lanyard with the same symbol. I have this symbol to represent neurodiversity and, in particular, as an ally for those autistic individuals I teach, know, and encounter. If you are thinking, "but doesn't the puzzle piece already represent that?" You wouldn't be alone. However, the more that #actuallyautistic voices are raised, lifted, and heard, the more obvious it becomes that this symbol is not the one to use. Doodle Beth's work, shared above, is a great point of view on this topic and I've shared some more links below that go into much more detail than I will here, but here are some points that we allistic individuals (especially teachers) need to be aware of. 

1. The use of the colour blue signifies a misunderstanding that autism affects males more than females. What is really the case is that autism in females is far less researched and understood. Most studies have involved males specifically. The ways autism presents itself in these studies often exclude females. 
2. The puzzle piece often represents something that is missing, or confusing, or a problem for solving. It shows that one may consider an autistic individual/individual with autism as incomplete or lesser. 
3. Originally, it can be argued, the puzzle piece was meant not to show incompleteness, but to show what people didn't understand about autism. As the symbol became more widely used, its understood and stated meaning has shifted. 
4. The puzzle piece often represents the idea that autism is a "childhood illness" that one may "grow out of". This is not the case. 
5. There are some autistic individuals/individuals with autism who like the puzzle piece and either identify with it or have reclaimed it for themselves. 
6. The puzzle piece is an image and symbol often employed by the group Autism Speaks, which is widely regarded as an inappropriate group when looking to truly understand autism and support the #actuallyautistic community and may be considered a hate group. 

So, long story short, it isn't clear cut. From conversations I've seen and things I've read, the puzzle piece is, at best, outdated. It is also not my symbol, as an allistic, to use. So, I will not use it. I did, however, reach out to a community I am part of and friends I know who are #actuallyautistic and asked how I can show that I am an ally. The rainbow infinity symbol was proposed. When it comes to words, symbols, etc. that are used to identify or discuss communities and individuals, those of us who are not part of it have no say in how those things are used. It is up to each individual and the community to make those decisions. So, I defer to and listen to their voices. I am still learning. If you use the puzzle piece and you are not #actuallyautistic, it is time to look deeper, listen, and learn. 

Further Reading and Resources

Learn from Autistics

Autistic and Unapologetic

The Art of Autism