There are many symbols that can be controversial in general, a cross may be something very religious and personal to some Christians, while other religious groups who still believe in Christ would not wear it as it represents something against their believes, the same goes for other symbols like peace signs, flags, and then we get to puzzles and infinity symbols.
So why are puzzle pieces controversial for many (not all) in the autism community?, it really goes back to Autism Speaks vs ASAN (Autism Self Advocacy Network). Autistics that support ASAN do not feel represented by Autism Speaks, many actually do their best to try to stop supporters to continue to back them up as they feel Autism Speaks focuses more on research and in trying to find a ‘cure’ rather than actual support on the autistic community, they do not feel they need to be cured, but rather be supported, accepted and included. Since the Autism Speaks originally had their logo as a blue puzzle, Autistics did not feel identified first with the blue color as it does not reflect the array in neurodiversity. Secondly, they do not want to be characterized a puzzle piece to figure out, (the research for a cure), it represented a piece that is missing (they don’t feel they need to be found as they are not missing). All very valid points. However others do not see the puzzle as a negative symbol, the puzzle represents a part of belonging as part of a bigger community, family, or maybe it reminds them of someone who is on the spectrum who happens to love puzzles, just like you would wear any other pendant that shows something they like (think of pandora charms).
ASAN decided to instead use a heptagonal multicolored logo that interlocks as it goes around to not only represent Autism, but it’s diversity within the people in the Autism Spectrum, to show Autistics are all unique and no two autistics are alike.
Beyond that we also see others in the autism community using a multicolor infinity logos, infinity symbols can represent love and the multi-colors represent diversity, however some do not identify with the infinity symbol, they do not feel they go in an endless infinite loop.
NuPrisma chose a logo of multiple hexagons in different gradient colors, hexagons similar to honeycomb to represent a community working together and multi-colors to represent neurodiversity in Autism and other abilities.
So, should you still wear your puzzle or switch?, you should first think about what does the puzzle mean to you, a symbol is merely a representation of what you feel, if it means that you think of the person on the spectrum of someone who needs fixing, or is just a piece that needs to figure out, the puzzle logo or jewelry is the least of your worries, you should be doing more research on Autism Self awareness, and embrace the autistic person in your family or community and provide them the best support and advocacy you can.
If the puzzle piece represents something positive, a part of you, or someone who completes your just like a partner, or how your kids complete your family and you cannot be without them because they are a part of you and they complete you then that’s a positive meaning to the puzzle, or simply it reminds you of something they love like playing with puzzles, do tell the person on the spectrum what the puzzle means to you about them, even if you don’t think they understand, they do, they may not be able to communicate as you would like them to, but they do.
If you feel stronger about wearing puzzle or a different symbol to represent them and the love you have for them and to bring awareness, then wear what you like. You cannot please everyone, the important thing is to take the opportunity to express what this symbol means to you when prompted because people will ask, even those that do not like the symbols you chose, they will still ask or start a conversation and you can express your reasoning, in the end regardless of the symbol you wear we all want to bring awareness and a positive advocacy for Autism Community.
