Who Said Music Is a Piece of Art That Goes in the Ears
By Debra Muzikar
(Editor'south update: In 2020 the Art of Autism nonprofit fabricated a delivery not to utilise the puzzle piece in whatsoever of our promotions).
As linguistic communication evolves, so do symbols.
The origins of the puzzle piece, the master symbol for autism, go back to 1963. It was created past Gerald Gasson, a parent and board fellow member for the National Autistic Social club (formerly The Society for Autistic Children) in London. The board believed autistic people suffered from a 'puzzling' condition. They adopted the logo because it didn't look similar whatever 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 every bit a reminder that Autistic people suffer from their condition.
When I researched, I was reminded how far we've come in our use of language to describe people with developmental disabilities. In the 1960's people with developmental disabilities were referred to as mentally handicapped. People with cognitive palsy were chosen spastics. The label "autistic" wasn't 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 Society's credit, they've evolved and don't use that image anymore. This is their new prototype.
I decided to do an informal survey of my friends on Facebook about the puzzle piece logo. Should information technology stay? Should it go? What would you replace information technology with?
I received over 100 responses. Some people emailed me off-list. As usual the responses I received were intelligent and thought provoking.
On the side of affectionate the puzzle piece logo, parent Keri Bowers writes, "the political correctness of so many things in today'southward world is agonizing to me. It'southward hard to keep up, actually, as the terms flip – every bit in person commencement linguistic communication (PFL). When Taylor was immature, I called him an autistic child. Then that became a bad thing. Now it's flipped back from a person with autism, to an autistic person – merely where I started. A puzzle piece implies a mystery to be solved or something to be put together. Is that untrue in autism? Is that really hurtful or did we make that upwardly to feel better? I believe my son is a mystery – still, after almost 26 years, and he is 'missing' certain understandings, skills and abilities as an 'autistic person.' He would tell you – as he told a grouping of volunteers at a training he helped me facilitate yesterday, 'I merely don't get certain things.' Is it insulting to imply through imagery a item truth about him?"
Maria Hall, parent, "My son is a puzzle wrapped in an enigma . . . I love the puzzle piece."
Sally Verduzco, parent, "I honey the puzzle piece . . . Information technology'due south part of a unit. Together all of us in our own reality and means, place each puzzle in the correct place to create a unit. Unity coming together. Many pieces equally one."
Savana Rose, parent, "I really like the puzzle. To me it does perfectly symbolize all the unlike ways that our private kids fit together. It symbolizes the complicated ways in which this disorder may have happened to our kids. It symbolizes how there'due south no 1 therapy that works for everyone, and sometimes it'southward a whole puzzle of therapies that actually work. How did this happen? How do nosotros help? How are they different? How are they alike? What works? What doesn't? It's a complicated puzzle to me and the logo speaks all that to me."
Marge Pamintuan, parent, "It'southward a symbol – peradventure to some, information technology's a 'missing' piece. I'd like to call up our kiddos are the COMPLETING Slice of the human puzzle."
Just when I thought information technology was only parents who liked the puzzle symbol, I received this input from Erin Clemens who is on the spectrum, "I like the puzzle piece. I like it because it'due south not nearly the finish result, but the PROCESS of putting the pieces together. I also similar it because it reminds united states that each person, even though all grouped in as beingness on the spectrum, is still unique and has their ain way of plumbing equipment in."
In that location were some who wouldn't mind keeping the puzzle piece if the message behind it were reframed.
Jennifer O'Toole, "I viscerally dislike the puzzle pieces as symbols of that which must be figured out and 'solved.' However! Then I institute these handcrafted, fused glass bracelets – where the puzzle represents the thought that nosotros each have an essential, unique office to play in the bigger motion-picture show. And that – I like a lot."
Amy Gravino, "For me, I would have fewer reservations nigh the puzzle piece logo if in that location were a way to re-imagine the meaning behind information technology. And so rather than it representing a missing slice in individuals on the autism spectrum, I would dear for it to correspond the 'fundamental' slice. The puzzle slice is that component that defines each and every autistic person; that, without that slice, we couldn't be the fantastic people that we are. And then rather than looking at the puzzle and seeing a slice that is missing, I would want to look at the piece as the piece that completes it. (Unfortunately, I retrieve the electric current meaning behind the puzzle piece is so enshrined in it that it'due south probably incommunicable to alter it, just I want to believe there is a manner)."
Kathleen Tehrani, "I am in favor of a puzzle piece where the individual is choosing those pieces themselves; e.g., the art work of Sarah Vaughn."
"I am non in favor of a puzzle piece that holds the intention that people on the spectrum are confused or incomplete," Kathleen says.
Karen Courtney, who is Autistic, had a symbol she designed tattooed on her arm.
Karen feels the tattoo symbolizes her struggles and being bullied for her autism. Karen is a gifted creative person and designs autism puzzle piece tattoos.
And so at that place were a big group of people who opposed the symbol.
Michael Leventhal, "While the original intent of the puzzle slice was positive, it no longer represents the goals of advocacy. Yesterday autism was a mystery. Today, while efforts keep into autism'southward etiology, the master focus is on applying what we have learned to make order and institutions more than responsive to changes that atomic number 82 to improved life and outcomes for autistic individuals and their families. Highlighting this shift in focus warrants a newer symbol – one of cooperation and sharing."
Michael believes projects such as the Gee Vero Inclusion projection get more to educating and reframing autism.
Jane Straus, "the puzzle piece is far more applicable in my stance to NTs (neurotypicals), who seem to expect us to judge what they are thinking. It is inaccurate, in its assumption of male child-bluish, and its assumption that we are and then impossible to understand. Those of us who can communicate in a mode that normals understand are so simple and direct in what we say, that if they would merely pay attention we would exist not a puzzle at all."
Andy Dreisewerd, who lives in a restrictive group habitation, has no love for the puzzle slice logo. In fact, he performed a ritual to destroy the puzzle piece past "using a plastic prop sword and figuratively driving information technology through the puzzle slice, cut information technology in twaine. I did this to free its influence from me and my attending to others' opinions on things I should do with my spare time, and the blazon of job I should hold based on how 'intelligent' I am."
Lori Shayew, "I'm not a fan of the puzzle piece. I feel it's demeaning to autistic people. I like the infinity sign or heart ameliorate . . . something Autism represents."
Andrew I. Lerner, "We are not merely a puzzle Piece, and are not missing anything. We exercise fit in, and we can SPEAK for ourselves! Let the states support ourselves, rather than an NT jigsaw organization that is profiting from pitying united states. We are all individuals, and need non have the same messages in our proper noun. Prove back up for us past proudly displaying our A.S. logo." This is the logo he proposes:
April Griffin writes, "My pieces aren't missing and I'm not a mystery."
Judy Endow writes in Goodnight Autism Puzzle Pieces about how the puzzle piece is at present permanently tied in with fear-based letters. " . . . the fact remains that today public awareness of autism is tied up with the tragedy and fear-mongering put forth by Autism Speaks. Our puzzle symbol no longer stands for any of the adept we personally adhere to it and, in fact, has get harmful to the very people nosotros wanted to represent – autistic people."
Alternative ideas for logos were suggested. Sarah Vaughn would like to come across a rainbow in the logo. Corrine Tobias likes the butterfly symbol.
One of my favorite organizations, Hidden Wings, uses a butterfly.
Carol Ann Acorn uses many pictures in her educational presentations that represent autism.
Forward-thinking CarolAnn also created this symbol years ago.
On suggestions for alternate symbols, Joanne Lara, Bev Leroux, and Apr Dawn Griffin like this symbol.
April likes the rainbow colors for the spectrum and the infinity sign which is math-related. Many on the autism spectrum have an affinity for math-related symbology.
Janet Sebelius disagrees with this symbol. The infinity symbol is used by the Metis in Canada.
"I feel the autism customs has the best and brightest minds on the planet vivid enough and creative enough to come up with something original I would honey to see it come up from within and not remind everyone of anybody else."
Lori Shayew of The Gifts of Autism and Kelly Greenish of the Autismhwy.com came upward with this symbol.
Lori writes "In calorie-free of the recent news that the rainbow is not an arc, only a circle. (Thanks for the proof NASA) Information technology's time to recreate the new model. Colors of the rainbow weaving in motility. We are recognized for all of our colors. For instance, I know a 13 twelvemonth former daughter who is non-verbal (blood-red ray) AND comprehension/writes at high school level in English language and Spanish (blue ray) She is likewise a wiz at math (indigo ray) Because she is non-verbal she is automatically labeled "low operation". But, there are subconscious gifts that people are missing because they are focusing too much on the "non-verbal" aspect.
It'south time to break down the spectrum (depression-mod-high) and allow our innate gifts to bloom and flourish. Don't we all excel at some things, just not in others? No large deal. We can jump from yellow to ruby to indigo to green and back again. Maybe then in that location are no colors, only lite."
Andrea Clark, "Equally each person in this world is unique, how can one symbol practise justice for all?"
James McCue writes, "I hate the missing puzzle piece – I am non missing anything, nor do consider anyone I piece of work with to be less then whole." James suggests this:
"I call back this represents the cute anarchy that is continually running through my neurology – If I could add together motility to it, would be fifty-fifty amend – and noises, and smells – simply – this volition do," James writes.
Kelly Light-green states, "Many Allistic [editor note: allistic is a new term for neurotypical] parents like the puzzle piece while many Autistic adults dislike it. I'm trying to honor my Autistic friends. I have existing art with puzzle pieces, which I still use minimally (in my Making Friends with Autism coloring books and coloring pages.) I made a promise to my friends that I wouldn't create any new puzzle piece imagery over a twelvemonth ago."
This was a chalk-art slice Kelly Green created to stand for Autistic Pride.
On the side of getting rid of whatever symbol representing autism Judith Burkes weighs in: "I don't believe in that location tin be a unifying symbol for a spectrum. If some meet it now equally one color or another, or a variety of colors, or as limited and separating or unifying and jubilant, how can one symbol embrace such a multifariousness of expressions of human being? And, in the finish, do nosotros demand to have a/one symbol?"
Oya Dee Gazioglu, "Could a symbol as well be construed by others as another limiting characterization? Or another separation equally opposed to the oneness we really are?"
Marilyn Lauer, a Special Educator in Santa Barbara, asks, "Why a symbol? Does every 'disability' take a symbol?"
Some thoughtful organizations are investing in new logo designs. For example, The Celebrate Autism Foundation changed their logo to this.
Jenny Anderson, founder of Celebrate Autism, states "Celebrate Autism Foundation changed it'south logo from a puzzle piece to a spark. Our organization is well-nigh empowering through education & sparking a brighter future for people on the spectrum. Feels like a much better fit!"
In the cease, I believe symbols are important, just every bit words are. The symbol nosotros cull to represent ourselves should reflect our values.
The puzzle piece was created to stand for an autism organisation, not Autistic people. The Autistic Self Advancement Network which does reflect the values of many autistic people has chosen this symbol every bit their logo.
The xv-year quondam artist Rissa P chalked this at the Covina Autism Chalk Festival on April 18, 2015.
(Artwork courtesy of Carissa Paccerelli aka Rissa P. Visit her art on her website.)
I approximate that says information technology all.
Come across also the controversy over which colors represent autism. Blue, a color associated with males, has been chosen by Autism Speaks every bit the color for autism. But this is non set in stone. Many people call back rainbow or gold represents autism better.
Considering of information technology'southward history the Fine art of Autism nonprofit does non utilize the puzzle slice in it'southward logo or promotions.
Source: https://the-art-of-autism.com/the-autism-puzzle-piece-a-symbol-of-what/
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