Autism puzzle piece logo | Autism Speaks (2024)

FAQs

What does the autism speak logo mean? ›

It all begins with an evolution of the iconic blue puzzle piece. Reimagined to include a spectrum of colors in addition to our traditional blue, the new, more colorful logo signifies the diversity of perspectives and experiences with autism spectrum disorder and signals our deepened commitment to inclusivity.

The puzzle piece symbol was first introduced in 1963 by the National Autistic Society (NAS) in the UK as a way to represent the complexity and mystery of autism. The organization aimed to convey the idea that autism was a puzzle that needed to be solved and understood.

Autistic people and their families criticized the piece for using inaccurate statistics and giving an unrepresentative and exaggerated depiction of the lives of autistic people and their families.

Designing the Puzzle Piece

Though autism wasn't widely understood by everyday people until the 1980s, the puzzle piece symbol for autism was designed in 1963. Created by Gerald Gasson, a board member for the National Autistic Society in London, the board originally believed autism was a 'puzzling' condition.

The infinity symbol is used in several variations to represent different conditions. For autism, however, it is either rainbow-colored or solid blue. The rainbow color of the infinity symbol represents neurodiversity and infinite possible variations within the autism spectrum.

The Autism Awareness Ribbon is a globally recognized symbol for autism. It features a puzzle pattern of red, yellow, blue, and green pieces that symbolize the complexity of the disorder and the diversity of those affected by it.

In 2005, Suzanne and Bob Wright co-founded Autism Speaks, inspired by their grandson who was diagnosed with autism. Guided by the Wrights' leadership and vision, Autism Speaks has grown into the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization.

Together we stand for a world of difference. Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan.

Because at the time, it symbolized how some people thought autism was a “puzzling” condition. The original design depicted a crying child inside the puzzle piece which was supposed to represent the sadness from the burden that autism was considered to put on a child's life.

Puzzle Pieces:

The puzzle piece is definitely the most well known symbol associated with Autism, having been used by Autism charities and organisations for decades.

What does 🌈 ♾ mean? ›

🌈♾️ The rainbow infinity symbol was created to represent. neurodivergent people. People who are ADHD, Autistic, Dyslexic, have Tourette's, BPD, OCD, DID, etc are all.

Autism Speaks then went on to use the puzzle piece in very big Autism Awareness campaigns in America, leading to the puzzle piece being adopted as 'the symbol' for autism. But the problem for many autistic people, is that Autism Speaks campaigns were particularly negative and problematic to autistic people.

Keith Wargo joined Autism Speaks as president and CEO in October 2021. In this role, Mr. Wargo is responsible for the overall leadership, administration and management of the organization.

Ableist Goals

Much of the research funded by Autism Speaks is in accordance with the medical model of disability, seeking to discover “solutions” to autism rather than supports for autistic people.

While it is something we still use today, we regularly seek feedback and input from those within the autistic community to make sure Autism Speaks is reflective of the widest range of autistic individuals people and their family and friends as possible.

Multi-colored puzzle piece ribbon

As previously mentioned, the symbol that most people associate with autism is the multi-colored, interlocking puzzle piece. This symbol was created by 15 people, some of whom were autistic, and others were autism advocates.

The puzzle piece was later replaced with a rainbow-colored infinity symbol. The infinity symbol represents the idea that autism is a vast and complex spectrum that includes individuals with a wide range of strengths and challenges.

The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the house mouse (Mus musculus) are common rodent models used in the study of autism due to their social behavior and genetic proximity to humans.

Full intensity colors should be avoided. Red should never be used in the home as children with ASD perceive the color as florescent. Yellows likewise are very stimulating and are best to avoid. Greens, blues, pinks, soft oranges and neutrals can be very comforting.

Some people feel that the image of a puzzle piece may prompt an idea of isolation or “not fitting in”. The butterfly was introduced to provide an alternative symbol for people who may feel uncomfortable with the symbolism of the puzzle piece. The butterfly is a symbol of the beauty of change and continual development.

What flower represents autism? ›

There is not a certain flower that symbolizes autism. Nevertheless, flowers like forget-me-nots and orchids, the ones associated with the themes of uniqueness, understanding, and love, seem to match autism awareness and acceptance concepts.

So on April 2nd and throughout World Autism Month in April please wear blue, and have others do the same. Also, don't forget to take a selfie wearing blue and tag it #LightItUpBlue!

April is Autism Acceptance Month, celebrating the talents, contributions, and diversity within the autism community. At The Arc, autistic people and their loved ones are a part of our staff, volunteer leaders, and key people guiding our work every day.

The rainbow infinity symbol is used as the symbol of this day, representing “diversity with infinite variations and infinite possibilities”. The purpose of Autistic Pride is to show to the world that we are proud of being autistic and that we are not diseased or defective or in need of a cure.

The new National Autistic Society logomark. Our brand identity design uses a circular shape to accurately reflect the true nature of the autism spectrum. A series of colours merge within the circle to define a bold new 'a' symbol which has strength and impact at any size.

The TBH Creature, also known as the Autism Creature or Yippee, has become a recognizable symbol within the autism community. It is a fictional character that represents the unique experiences and perspectives of individuals on the autism spectrum.

What is the infinity symbol for autism? The infinity symbol for autism is a symbol that was created by the Autism Society in 1999. The symbol represents the infinite potential of individuals with autism, as well as their limitless possibilities and abilities.