The Autism Puzzle Piece logo, which is associated with autism and autistic people, is a controversial symbol that has divided the autism community for far too long. A topic which everyone has an opinion on, the Puzzle Piece logo debate is one which is far from over and, like the never-ending battle of whether pineapple belongs on pizza, it only grows more heated as time goes by.
With some stating that the Autism Puzzle Piece has long outgrown its welcome and others arguing that the symbol is here to stay, the Puzzle Piece logo is a hotly debated topic in autism circles. In fact, there have been countless forum discussions, blog posts and even one recent journal article dedicated to the perceptions of the Puzzle Piece logo. Yet we are still far from finding an answer to whether or not the Puzzle Piece should go.
That said, today I aim to add to the conversation as, like a puzzle itself, I hope that, by sharing my findings and feelings on the history of the Autism Puzzle Piece, I can help others build a complete picture/better understand their own feelings, regarding this ancient argument of puzzle pieces and autism.
The History of the Autism Puzzle Piece Logo
Although no one is to blame for this grand debacle, its roots can be traced back to one man, Gerald Gasson: a parent member of the Executive Committee for the National Autistic Society (or The Society For Autistic Children, as it was known back then), who in 1963 created the now infamous Autism Puzzle Piece.
Despite what many Puzzle Piece naysayers have come to believe, Gasson didn’t create the Puzzle Piece logo to depict autistic people as ‘incomplete’, ‘irregular’ or ‘challenging’. Instead, ol’ Gasson chose a puzzle piece as a visual aid to illustrate the ‘puzzling’ nature of autism. Even now this is a relevant decision, as autism and autistic people are still far from understood.
As no one else was using a puzzle piece as a logo at that time, the symbol was quickly agreed on and the first ever National Autistic Society logo was drawn up (as seen below).
What’s Wrong with the Autism Puzzle Piece Logo?
Although the Puzzle Piece was never intended to be insulting, it’s quite clear from this first design that, by today standards, it is.
- Depicting autism as something that only children get
- Portraying a child as upset because of the condition
- Using a shade of green which can only be described vomit green
In fact, there are few redeeming factors about the Puzzle Piece’s introduction to the world which can be salvaged (although it does help prove that it really isn’t the thought that counts).
Further complications arise, regarding the Puzzle Piece debate when, not long after its inception, pro ‘Puzzle Piecers’ began misinterpreting the logo’s message and made claims that it reflects how autism ‘isolates [autistic people] from normal human contact and therefore they do not “fit in”.’
You would think that would be enough to put the final nail in poor Gasson’s original idea – but things only got worse for the Puzzle Piece logo. It was swiftly adopted by the only thing within the autistic community that is more controversial than the Puzzle Piece logo itself: Autism Speaks.
What do the Scientists think about the Puzzle Piece Logo?
With all things considered, how bad can the Puzzle Piece logo be? Well, as it turns out, pretty damn bad – at least according to the power of science and a 2017 autism journal article.
In the journal, titled ‘Do puzzle pieces and autism puzzle piece logos evoke negative associations?’, a multitude of researchers tested the general public’s reactions to being shown the Puzzle Piece logo, in relation to a variety of products, objects and people with conditions (including autism).
In the test it was found that, more often than not, people react negatively to seeing the Puzzle Piece logo, confirming the thoughts of many autism advocates, that people do indeed associate puzzle pieces with things that are ‘odd’.
What to do with the Autism Puzzle Piece Logo?
By all accounts then, it’s probably safe to say that the Puzzle Piece logo should go – but what do we use to replace it with?
Well, I’ve seen countless arguments in favour of using the Autistic Pride logo: the rainbow-coloured infinity logo, whilst a smaller, but no less vocal, group of autists also advocate for a brain logo. Personally, I believe that a Supernova would be pretty sweet, however, I seem to be alone in this camp. But herein lies the problem! It’s the old case of ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’. As, for autistic people to have a shot at a new logo, first we all need to agree on one.
Unfortunately, if our experience of changing the colour of the Light It Up Blue initiative is anything to go by, this is going to be easier said than done; as so many people on 2017’s World Autism Awareness Day wanted so many different colours, the messages got mixed and many locations stuck with blue to avoid total confusion.
As such, I believe that, instead of heading in a whole new direction for an autism logo, we should instead progress the one we already have, with a logo which isn’t completely new to our awesome community.
The Puzzle Piece Ribbon
Created in 1999 by the Autism Society, to me, the Puzzle Piece Ribbon seems like the most natural progression for reflecting the autistic community, as it is one which allows us to remember where we came from, whilst applying more modern concerns, which have been considered since its creation.
Featuring various different colours and combinations, unlike the single puzzle piece logo, the Puzzle Piece Ribbon illustrates the diversity of people on the spectrum and how we really do come in all shapes and sizes.
The colours, in particular, were chosen to reflect the need for awareness of autism as, although the condition is still a bit of a puzzle to many scientists, many (including myself) believe awareness of autistic people is more vital than a full-blown understanding of it.
With these things considered, I also believe that the ribbon is much better suited for the logo of autism, as it directly contrasts Gerald Gasson’s decision to pick a logo which no one else is using, and instead moves autism awareness from a place of isolation to one which mirrors other noteworthy causes, such as the pink Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon; the white End Violence Against Women and Girls Ribbon and many, many more.
Carry on the Conversation
What do you think should replace the Puzzle Piece logo? Or are you happy how things are currently? Let me know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow this link to a collection of responses from the autistic community on the Puzzle Piece logo from Art Of Autism – it’s one which I used when researching for this article and it will help to offer more perspective.
As always, I can also be found on Twitter: @AutismRevised and via my email: AutisticandUnapologetic@gmail.com.
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Thank you for reading and I will see you next Saturday for more thoughts from across the spectrum.
