Puzzle Piece vs Infinity Symbol

 

Both the infinity symbol and the puzzle piece have been used as a symbol for the Autistic community, and yet represent very different attitudes towards Autism. 

The puzzle piece was first used in the UK in 1963 by the Autism Society, (although they no longer use this image), chosen and designed by non-autistic people. The original puzzle piece included a weeping child to show how autistic people apparently suffered from their conditions and to reflect how autism was seen as puzzling. It represents the idea that autistic people have missing pieces, are puzzles to be solved, and that autism is a childish disability. Each of which is a harmful stereotype. 

Nowadays the puzzle piece is associated with Autism Speaks, which is seen as a hate group by the majority of autistic people. Autism Speaks has yet to show that it has autistic peoples interests in mind, rather than promoting cures and harmful stereotypes about autism, among many other harmful things. 

Whereas, the infinity symbol, as seen above in its rainbow form, is a symbol chosen by the autistic community to represent us. Most often appearing in red, a colour was chosen by autistic people to show our hearts and passion. You may also it in #redinstead, to combat #lightitupblue from autism speaks. The colour gold because the chemical for gold is Au. The rainbow shows the diversity within the autistic community.

The infinity symbol represents the diversity and infinite possibilities within the community. The loop represents the entire autistic spectrum, showing how the spectrum itself is not linear and that all autistic people are valid. 

Autistic people have chosen the infinity symbol to represent us. Please respect this.