Quite a few see it as being the autism symbol, as did I for a long time. On the face of it, it could just another emblem signifying a condition or issue, like the pink ribbon of breast cancer, or the daffodil of Marie Curie Nurses.
So what’s the issue?
Well, it’s the idea that we are a puzzle to be solved. That we have something missing. That we are deficient in some way compared to others, or are difficult to figure out.
Not deficient, not difficult, just different.
There are some organisations out there that fund raise for a cure for autism. Now, we know there is no cure and that we don't need one. Unfortunately there are some very popular charities that still preach therapies which are suppose to rid the autism from the child. This actually does more harm than good. Survivors of ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis) suffer incredibly because of someone else's quest to make them more "normal". This can include up to 40 hours a week therapy with the aim of trying to make the autistic person hide their traits and present as a neurotypical person in order to please others. We shouldn't be made to hide and should be able to embrace our traits just like anyone else should.
Can you imagine a world where being blonde is unacceptable. Everyone who has blonde hair needs to be fixed. You must dye your hair a different colour and maintain it constantly. No roots must show, dyeing needs to be done daily to ensure that not a single blonde hair is visible incase it offends the general public.
It's very sad, but a lot of people don't have to imagine what this is like. Whether it's down to having the wrong accent, wrong skin colour, wrong mannerisms, wrong language, wrong sexuality, wrong height, wrong weight, wrong shoe size, its pretty much the same scenario with different settings. Obviously these different categories have had different consequences in history (and in the present day) and I am not diminishing the constant struggle that people of colour are go through constantly. Racism is horrific and cannot be compared to body image. What I'm trying to say is that prejudice is as much of a spectrum as autism is and discrimination against disabilities and conditions is on there too.
No matter which way you look at it, asking someone to change everything about themselves to please others is wrong. It's cruel and sets people up for a lifetime of anxiety and depression. I'm not saying that autistic people should be able to do what ever they fancy in the name of their condition, like breaking the law or being hostile towards others. However, if we don't make eye contact with you, is that really such a big deal? We spend an awful lot of time treading on egg shells around neurotypicals surely we should at least meet 1/2 way. Masking is a separate topic which I will get on to, but for now, let's keep looking at this puzzle piece.
There is also massive issue with autistic people being infantilised. Yes, I still like cartoons, but I am 31... I have had people start talking slower to me because they heard I have autism... I have my own business, I have a degree, I'm married and a mother... really??? The primary coloured puzzle pieces really don't help. It makes me feel like my life is being compared to a children's toy. I don't know of many 31 year old mothers who would be happy with this either, autistic or not.
There are many more reasons too, just google it!
I understand that people find it frustrating when symbols change, but acceptance of an infinity symbol over a puzzle piece is a small gesture towards making so many autistic people feel loved, valued and accepted.
The puzzle piece wasn’t even selected by autistic people.
It would be wonderful if we could take ownership over something which is supposed to represent us.
♾
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