Autism Awareness/Should the Autism Symbol STAY OR GO?

DISCLAIMER: I am no medical doctor, I'm just your normal Jo Bloggs who's sharing her lived experiences with Autism that was called Aspergers.  If you see any warning signs/symptoms that may be related to any of the topics I share as of in the future, please seek a second opinion or treatment with a medical professional. What I share with you in how I go about managing my autism will vary from person to person and that what may work for me may not work for you and what will work for you may not work for me and vice versa. So, please be considerate while I give you all my advice and/or tips. In today's Aspie's vlog, I will be discussing the symbol for Autism, or more specifically its history and what people think of it. Is the puzzle piece still a fitting symbol for Autism, or is it perhaps time for a new symbol to step in? Let us know what you think!  What comes to your mind of the word Autism and Autism Awareness as well as Autism Acceptance? There have been many controversies over many years now about what the logo should be for representing Autism. There have been some discussions in the groups I have been on Facebook for quite some time about this as well as if it should be "Autism Awareness" or "Autism Acceptance". For many of us in the groups have agreed that it should be all about  Autism Acceptance. You see that this puzzle piece along with one of the puzzle pieces that are colourful is usually colourful or just and out on its own as a blue piece has been a popular logo that has been used and you would think that everyone is happy with it, right? So, I did a bit of my own research and digging about the Autism puzzle logo/symbol as well as a little bit of history and origin along with other logos that have been used.  Autism Spectrum Diversity Group on Facebook said: "We here at Autism Spectrum Diversity are taking a different approach towards World Autism Awareness Day. We do not approve of the light-it-up blue campaign which was founded by Autism Speaks. The reasons are simple, Autism Speaks believe that autism should be eradicated which installs an idea that we are somehow broken or faulty, this is very damaging to people who are autistic and the autism community. We are not broken, we are human and we all have a heart. We can either light it up blue for Autism Speaks who do not speak for autistic's, or we can Light It Up Gold For Autism Acceptance".    In the end, I believe symbols are important, just as words are. The symbol we choose to represent ourselves should reflect our values. I would like to open up a discussion for you all that are interested to share your thoughts/opinions based on the Autism Puzzle piece or any other logos that can be good for symbolizing Autism Awareness or does it need to be changed? If you think that it should be changed what symbol logo should we use to represent our community? 

There are no comments yet.

Please log in to write the first comment.