Autism Awareness Month: The History And Meaning Of The Autism Puzzle Piece
April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to promote a better understanding of autism and to bring people together to offer better support for those living on the autism spectrum and their families. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the Autistic Spectrum Disorder refers to a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction.
Signs and symptoms of ASD include having difficulty making eye contact with people and becoming overly focused on an object, and trouble with verbal skills. Social interaction and communication is also more difficult for adults and children living with autism. They have trouble understanding and talking about feelings, both their own and others.
For most people on the autistic spectrum, symptoms develop in early childhood and affect their daily functioning throughout their whole life. The intensity of symptoms and level of disability varies widely with some children and adults with ASD able to function independently while others need substantial help to perform basic daily living activities.
As awareness of this condition has grown, you have probably gotten used to seeing the Autism Puzzle Piece pop up on social media and in educational campaigns. The Autism Puzzle Piece has a long history as a symbol in the Autism community, but do you truly know its history and meaning?
Awareness Ribbons Guide Colors And Meanings
In the healthcare sector, the use of colored ribbons helps in creating public awareness to disability, medical conditions, health and other issues. An awareness ribbon is simply a short piece of colored ribbon that is folded in a loop. These ribbons are adorned by people from all over the globe such as United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, etc. as a support for the issue or cause,
While you may have seen an awareness ribbon, you may not be aware of how many they are, the different colors and patterns they represent. Over the passage of time, new awareness ribbons are being created each day in support of hundreds of causes. If you intend to support a cause by adorning an awareness ribbon, this guide will help.
You will encounter a variety of awareness ribbons in your day-to-day encounters, where each means something different from the other. For instance, green is in support for an environmental cause, red is for coronary diseases, blue is for bullying awareness, etc. Regardless of the color of the ribbon, the idea remains the same.
These ribbons are available in different forms. They can found as car magnets that are put on back bumpers, notebook stickers, or pins that we can attach to our clothes. Regardless of where you place them, you give an impression that you stand for a cause. Moreover, wearing these ribbons also encourages other to support the cause. Thereby, these ribbons promote a bigger mission.
What is “Cause Awareness” and why is it important?
What Are Colors And Symbols For Autism
About Autism
- The puzzle. pieces:
- BLUE. A single BLUE puzzle piece highlights that it affects individuals. Blue is the sign of Hope.
- GREEN. A GREEN puzzle piece characterizes the ties to science.
- YELLOW. The YELLOW puzzle piece is our warning.
- RED. The RED puzzle piece encourages you to stop: Learn the Signs.
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The Problem With The Autism Puzzle Piece
One of the easiest ways to connect a person to a cause is through symbols. We see them everywhere the peace sign, the raised fist representing Black Lives Matter, the pink ribbons representing breast cancer. When used correctly, a logo and the emotions it can create can help draw someone into a cause and stand as something to fight for and stand behind.
This Friday is World Autism Awareness Day, a day to celebrate those that make up the broad nature of the autism spectrum. Perhaps the most worldwide symbol of autism is that of a puzzle piece. Whether it is the blue puzzle piece belonging to Autism Speaks, or the interlocking puzzle piece ribbon of the Autism Society of America, some of the largest autism organizations in the world still use the puzzle piece. This is despite the clear and evident anger it has caused so many in the autistic community.
The puzzle piece was first used as the symbol for autism spectrum disorder in 1963 by the National Autistic Society in the United Kingdom. The symbol stemmed from the idea that autism was a puzzling condition. The original image showed a crying child inside a puzzle piece to represent the sadness of the burden that autism was considered to put on a child and familys life.
Not all of these flaws can be solely placed on the back of the puzzle piece symbol, but it reinforces them. It creates a world where autism is something to be aware of when a person is age 0 through 17 and then forgotten about once they turn 18.
What Color Represents Autism Awareness
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General Military Ribbon: Red White And Blue
National Military Appreciation Month: May
Supporting our troops doesnt stop with those in active duty. Red, white and blue ribbons give visible awareness to all military members who have served the United States of America, past and present, in all branches. The ribbon is a symbol of patriotism and unity with military service members and veterans to show them that we recognize and appreciate their sacrifices for our freedom.
Whats Wrong With The Autism Puzzle Piece Logo
Although the Puzzle Piece was never intended to be insulting, its 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 Pieces introduction to the world which can be salvaged .
Further complications arise, regarding the Puzzle Piece debate when, not long after its inception, pro Puzzle Piecers began misinterpreting the logos message and made claims that it reflects how autism isolates 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 Gassons 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.
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What Color Is Emerald
Emerald greenEmerald green is a bright blue-green named after the precious gemstone, which gets its distinctive colour from trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. Also known as Schweinfurt green, Paris green and Veronese green, its been a popular colour throughout history and was Pantones Colour of the Year in 2013.
The Autism Awareness Ribbon
The puzzle ribbon was adopted in 1999 as the universal sign of autism awareness. Although this image is a trademark of the Autism Society, the organization has granted use to other non-profit organizations in order to demonstrate unity and advance a universal mission as opposed to any individually held interests or promotion of a single organization.
The Autism Awareness Ribbon The puzzle pattern reflects the complexity of the autism spectrum. The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families living with the condition. The brightness of the ribbon signals hope hope that through increased awareness of autism, and through early intervention and access to appropriate services/supports, people with autism will lead full lives able to interact with the world on the own terms.
Put on Your Puzzle! To purchase merchandise, apparel or a magnetic Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon for your car, locker or refrigerator, to visit our on-line store.
The Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon is the most enduring and recognized symbol of the autism community in the world. Yet, views about the iconic marker are as diverse and wide-ranging as the spectrum it represents.
The Autism Society posed this question on Facebook the answers were intriguing, weve provided just a sampling.
Join the conversation on social media wed love to hear from you.
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What The Ribbon Represents
According to the Autism Society, the puzzle piece was incorporated into their official symbol because it represents the complexity of the autism spectrum. With each piece being a different color and shape, it shows that autism affects a diverse group of people and that no two people or families have the same experience with autism.
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What Are The Different Color Ribbons For Diseases
What are the different color ribbons for diseases?
What disease has a purple ribbon? The purple ribbon lapel pin is used to represent so many great causes! The purple ribbon is most commonly used to raise awareness for animal abuse, Alzheimers disease, domestic violence, epilepsy, lupus, sarcoidosis, Crohns disease and pancreatic cancer.
What are blue ribbons for? Blue Ribbon Blue ribbon awareness is a symbol of hope for many people. This color represents over 100 causes, including bullying, malaria, sex trafficking, rheumatism, and water safety.
What do black ribbons mean? A black ribbon is a symbol of remembrance or mourning.
What Awareness Is White
White: Adoption, Congenital Cataracts, Adoptee, Bone Cancer, Anti-Pornography, Blindness, Bone Disease, Child Exploitation, Anti-Child Pornography, Child Sexual Abuse/Assault, Anti-War, Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Community Support, Hernia, Hope and Support, Innocence, Online Sexual Predator Awareness and Internet
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The Autism Puzzle Piece Design
When you visit the new building at the Sarah Dooley Center for Autism, youll walk into a place thats designed specifically to provide autism therapy and conduct research. Every inch of space benefits our students.
In addition to the expansive, well-lit, and welcoming areas throughout, youll see colorful autism puzzle piece designs that are displayed prominently on the wall. The symbol is known across the world as a representation of autism, but what does it actually mean? Lets explore the history and meaning behind the multi-colored puzzle piece and learn why this symbol is significant to the autism community.
Law Enforcement Awareness Ribbon: Blue On Black
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day: January 9
Adapted from the Thin Blue Line design, the law enforcement support ribbon is blue to signify the uniform often worn by police officers and adopted as their unofficial color. Both civilians and law enforcement officers use the Thin Blue Line ribbon and other symbols to show solidarity and support for the men and women in blue who put their lives on the line every day.
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Neurotypical or NT, an abbreviation of neurologically typical, is a neologism widely used in the autistic community as a label for non-autistic people, and othertimes in a more wide ranging way such as to refer to anyone who does not have any developmental disorders such as autism, developmental coordination disorder,
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The Autism Puzzle Piece: A Symbol Thats Going To Stay Or Go
As language evolves, so do symbols.
The origins of the puzzle piece, the primary symbol for autism, go back to 1963. It was created by Gerald Gasson, a parent and board member for the National Autistic Society in London. The board believed autistic people suffered from a puzzling condition. They adopted the logo because it didnt look like any other image used for charitable or commercial use. Included with the puzzle piece was an image of a weeping child. The weeping child was used as a reminder that Autistic people suffer from their condition.
When I researched, I was reminded how far weve come in our use of language to describe people with developmental disabilities. In the 1960s people with developmental disabilities were referred to as mentally handicapped. People with cerebral palsy were called spastics. The label autistic wasnt commonly accepted. Children with autism were thought to be psychotic and were diagnosed as having childhood schizophrenia. Autism was blamed on refrigerator mothers.
To the National Autistic Societys credit, theyve evolved and dont use that image anymore. This is their new image.
I decided to do an informal survey of my friends on Facebook about the puzzle piece logo. Should it stay? Should it go? What would you replace it with?
I received over 100 responses. Some people emailed me off-list. As usual the responses I received were intelligent and thought provoking.
Then there were a big group of people who opposed the symbol.
The History Of The Jigsaw Puzzle Ribbon
The autism symbol was created by the National Autistic Society in 1963. The first consideration for the design of the ribbon was its uniqueness because there were already a lot of colored ribbons back then that represent a wide array of causes. The society wanted to set themselves apart to gain more attention and awareness from the public.
Their official explanation of the design involves the condition being very puzzling, as well as the fact that those with the disorder are cut off from normal human interaction, effectively causing them not to fit in. This idea is pretty much being retained by current crusaders for the cause.
Through the years, the jigsaw puzzle symbol has meant different things for different people. For some, the puzzle ribbon represents the disorder that cannot be cracked but is not impossible to solve. For others, it represents the mechanical nature of people with autism who sometimes tend to act like robots. No matter what people think of the design or how they interpret it, the autism ribbon symbol has constantly been an avatar of hope for people with the disorder, their family members, their friends and even random strangers.
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What Is The Puzzle Piece And Where Does It Come From
The puzzle piece symbol was first used in 1963 by the National Autistic Society, in a logo which depicted the image of a crying child in the centre of the piece. The supposed aim of the image was to symbolise how people with autism suffer from a puzzling condition and are unable to fit in.
Although now no longer used by the National Autistic Society, the puzzle piece has since been adopted by other organisations, the most notorious of all being Autism Speaks.
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How Many Awareness Ribbons Are There
16 different colored cancer type awareness ribbons.
With new awareness days, weeks, and months, and ribbon colors, designs and symbols being created for causes, conditions, and cancer awareness, we’re not sure how many there are, but as seen below there are a lot!
Important Notes:
- Disabled World does not guarantee accuracy or legal status of these ribbons and/or their causes. Before using any ribbon colors and/or designs for any reason thoroughly research all current existing ribbon designations and causes.
- As many awareness ribbon colors may have multiple associated meanings we only list ribbons regarding health/disabilities.
- Due to different groups, organizations, countries, as well as people often creating different colored ribbons for the same cause, we may have a condition/disease listed several times under various ribbon colors.
- If you know a ribbon/cause we have listed is not correct – or if you know of an awareness ribbon color or cause we have missed – please see:
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