#on the topic of autism symbols

[ametistapp]

Since it's Autism Awareness Month, here's

Why the puzzle piece is offensive to the Autistic Community

[Large text: Why the puzzle piece is offensive to the Autistic Community]

Unfortunately, the most commonly used symbols to represent autism are all puzzle related, like the ones bellow.

These symbols and similar ones are typically used by Autism Organizations that are run by allistic people rather than autistic, Autism Speaks being the best-known example across the internet, but not the only one.

I'm not going to go deep into how bad Autism Speaks is, but just to leave you with the tip of the iceberg, know they used to put out ads that demonized autistic people (and even one in which one of the organization's leaders spoke about wanting to drive herself and her autistic daughter off a bridge).

Autism Speaks, and many others, attempt to "teach" people about autism, without hearing what actually autistic people have to say, and that's their biggest (but not at all only) problem.

Now, stay with me as we dive into history...

The puzzle piece was first used as a symbol for autism in 1963, by UK's National Autism Society, later on being adopted by Autism Speaks, which made it more popular.

Back then, autism awareness campaigns were viewed as being similar to, for example, cancer awareness ones, because autism was seen as an illness, a disease (which it is not).

As I've made clear before, the puzzle piece is heavily associated with organizations that spread misinformation about autism, making it, of course, already a bad symbol to represent us, but there's something I personally feel bothers us a lot more, and that is the symbolism of the puzzle piece.

The puzzle piece represents an idea of "mystery" and — you guessed it — being "puzzled".

And us, autists, don't really appreciate being called confusing.

Not only that, these words were often used to describe autism offensively in the past (and still are). And, on top of that, most times, when you find a puzzle supposed to represent autism, it is incomplete.

Isn't the message clear enough?

We're people, not puzzles that have to be worked out. We're not incomplete and we're not "puzzled".

So

Which symbols can you use for autism awareness?

[Large text: Which symbols can you use for autism awareness?]

The infinity rainbow symbol is common for all neurodivergent people, while the golden infinity is specific for ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder, in case you didn't know the acronym).

The infinity symbol represents the complexity and vastness of neurodivergence and autism.

Autism is less about "severity" and more about different struggles in different topics and areas (though not a lot of people seem to understand that, unfortunately). After all, autism is a spectrum, not a scale.

And if you're interested in why golden is the color of choice for us, that'd be because the periodic symbol for gold is Au, which I think is very clever, haha.

Some people also like to use red or plain yellow, I don't know a lot about that, but I'd recommend you research it.

And since we're on the topic of color, just a warning: in the Autistic Community we kind of avoid using blue to represent us, especially because it is heavily associated with Autism Speaks' "Light It Up Blue" movement.

Blue is seen as a representation of feelings like sadness, as well as being commonly associated with boys (this is important because women and other AFAB are often misdiagnosed and underdiagnosed because many people still think autism is only found in boys, and because many traits are viewed as "normal behavior" in AFAB people).

This isn't to say you can't use blue in the title of your PowerPoint presentation about ASD, it's just a thing we try to avoid.

Well, that should be all.

I decided to make this post because I've seen many people post about which symbols to use for Autism Awareness Month, but no one explaining why.

Thought this could help some poor lost soul understand it, lol

Happy Autism Awareness Month, my beloved Yippies, and a thank you to everyone who stopped to read <3 (heart).

Now I'm gonna go clean my search history and my gallery, just reading "Autism Speaks" gives me the ick.

[irenespring]

Sometimes I watch A Song of Ice and Fire YouTube theorists and I can't tell if they're less autistic than me because they can notice so much symbolism that I could not notice and could never notice in anything, or if they're more autistic than me because they can pick out all the little details and make connections I can't even see based on pattern recognition and mythology hyperfixation.

[noisycowboyglitter]

Autism Infinity Symbol Mug: A Heartfelt Gift for Neurodiversity Advocates

The Autism Infinity Symbol paired with the phrase "Celebrate Neurodiversity" represents a powerful movement towards acceptance and appreciation of neurological differences, particularly within the autism community. This emblem consists of an infinity loop, often depicted in rainbow colors or gold, symbolizing the endless possibilities and diverse spectrum of autistic experiences.

Buy now:19.95$

The infinity symbol was chosen to replace the puzzle piece, shifting the narrative from autism being a "puzzle to solve" to a natural and valuable form of human neurodiversity. Its endless loop represents the idea that autism is a lifelong, integral part of an individual's identity.

"Celebrate Neurodiversity" encapsulates the core message of this movement: that neurological differences should be recognized and respected as a natural variation in the human genome, rather than viewed as deficits or disorders. This perspective encourages society to embrace the unique strengths, perspectives, and contributions of autistic individuals.

Buy now

The combination of the infinity symbol and this empowering phrase promotes a more inclusive world where autistic people are valued for who they are, not for who they could be if they were neurotypical. It advocates for support and accommodations that allow autistic individuals to thrive on their own terms.

This symbol and message challenge stereotypes, promote understanding, and foster a culture of acceptance. They encourage everyone to appreciate the rich tapestry of human neurology and to recognize the invaluable contributions that neurodivergent individuals make to our society.

Buy now

The puzzle piece has long been associated with autism awareness, symbolizing the complexity of autism spectrum disorders. Typically depicted in bright colors, often blue, the puzzle piece represents the mystery and diversity of autism experiences.

Originally introduced by the National Autistic Society in 1963, it suggested that autism was a "puzzling" condition. Over time, it evolved to represent the idea that every individual with autism is unique, like a puzzle piece, and fits into the larger picture of society.

Buy now

However, the puzzle piece symbol has become controversial within the autism community. Some feel it implies that autistic individuals are incomplete or need fixing. As a result, many advocates now prefer alternative symbols, like the infinity loop, to represent autism and neurodiversity.

Despite debates, the puzzle piece remains widely recognized in autism awareness campaigns and merchandise.

[tealvenetianmask]

Stolas Makes Decisions Alone

I'm here to predict more problems ahead for Stolas. But don't worry- I do think he'll get through them because of character growth.

Stolas has a pattern of taking drastic actions that he believes are right and getting so caught up in his own point of view that he doesn't really listen to anyone else. I don't think he realizes this about himself. As much as he's now dealing with the consequences of his decisions at the end of Season 2, he hasn't yet learned that he can't go it alone. That he needs to communicate with the people his decisions impact- namely Blitz and Octavia, the people he cares for most. What I'm saying is, even though he's not the only one, our lovely owl man is a misunderstanding factory.

As for why he's like this, I have some ideas, but first, let's quickly go over the ways we've seen this behavior play out in HB.

It's treated as kind of light in Season 1 . . . despite being great with words, he's a lousy communicator because he gets carried away with his own ideas.

In Murder Family, Stolas has no idea that Blitz is panicking and . . . yes, I believe feeling pressured in this moment, even if he likes the deal later. In Loo Loo Land, he doesn't pay attention to Octavia's (not subtle) reactions enough to realize that no, she does not want to go to Loo Loo, and she absolutely doesn't want to bring the person Stolas cheated with along as a bodyguard. Also . . . as soon as Stolas listens to Octavia here, their communication improves, and Octavia is allowed to decide on the next father daughter activity.

The independent decision making tendency becomes more serious . . . tragic . . . in The Full Moon.

Stolas goes into the episode with a plan to do what he believes is right (freeing Blitz from himself), and he's so set on it that he blindsides the guy and shuts him out at the first hint of rejection, unable to pay enough attention to realize that it's . . . not actually rejection, just another wounded person reacting to a sudden change, since the entire decision making process already happened inside Stolas's mind.

Okay . . . Mastermind and Sinsmas.

I'm letting him off the hook for Mastermind, because he had only seconds to do something to save Blitz's life. I don't think he's wrong here. BUT symbolically, in the courtroom, Stolas rarely looks at Blitz. Someone who loves him is standing behind him, and there are moments of recognition between them, but Stolas still faces the decision, and his fate, alone.

In Sinsmas, we get the most blatant version of this kind of decision making. Yes, I know he's off his meds and going through a lot. He could have waited a few more minutes for Blitz to get back and talked through his decision to march up to his palace and demand to see his daughter. Blitz could have helped him calm down, and they could've had a conversation and decided on the best way to do it.

But that isn't how Stolas makes decisions. It isn't how he's EVER made decisions. Helping Stolas would put Blitz in danger, or Blitz might try to convince him to wait. So in Stolas's mind, if it's a choice between being kept from his daughter and dying alone by Andrealphus's hand, well . . .

There's so much that could be discussed here. Medication/depression. Suicidality. Autism . . . does this pattern stem in part from difficulty reading social cues?

These are all topics worth analyzing but . . . here's one thing that I think is at the core of Stolas's character regardless of the situation or other factors.

Stolas had all of his decisions made for him for his entire life. No one consulted him. Ever. Not about his career. Not about his marriage. Not about how he would choose to behave and conduct himself in the world.

Then when he was somewhere between 18 and 20, he had a child. And suddenly, his decisions mattered. Not in the big ways for himself. He still had to carry out all of his responsibilities. But he could decide how to raise this kid (Stella wasn't really interested in raising her after all). He could do everything in his power to make her childhood joyful, to make her feel loved, to teach her that she could be herself.

The problem is, making decisions for a kid doesn't make you a great collaborative decision maker. Being a parent means being an authority. He wasn't totalitarian like his own father, but there wasn't really anyone to honestly talk through his decisions and process his emotions with. So he's spent 35ish years never making a decision with someone else.

He's also rich and powerful, and that both keeps him isolated and gives him . . . a somewhat outsized view of his own importance and ability to control situations, in my opinion.

But now Octavia is 17, and making decisions that impact her without adequately communicating doesn't really work anymore.

And the other person he loves is Blitz. And yes, Mastermind is an exception, but Blitz usually doesn't need to be rescued or protected. He certainly doesn't need to be protected from Stolas (i.e. The Full Moon). He needs a partner. And Stolas needs one too.

So yeah, until Stolas learns to communicate (or at least learns that it's necessary) I worry about what he'll go off and do on his own.

Note: please don't take this as me blaming EVERYTHING on Stolas. Blitz and Octavia both have some responsibility for the miscommunications that go on. I just think this particular tendency of Stolas's is interesting and wanted to explore it.

[that-sunny-pup]

Hello! I'm the mod, you can call me Mod Duck! Please respect that this blog is both as canon as I can be, but mostly headcanons, so some stuff might not be accurate or in character! I only had a couple scenes to work off of, so cut me some slack here 🙏

DogDay is 14 years old, and big DogDay/Solar is like. 31

𖤓 WARNINGS:

This blog may contain cursing and heavy topics such as mental breakdowns, Violence, panic attacks, and stuff simular to that. Mod is a Minor, so sexual topics will be kept to a minimum 🫵

𖤓 Role-playing and symbols:

"This is the regular, small DogDay! Hiya friends!!!"

"And this is the big DogDay, AKA Solar! Hi."

[This is actions and/or thoughts!]

[and this is how I, the mod will speak most of the time! sometimes the tags tho]

𖤓 other SC blogs:

@the-cool-chicken

@the-crafty-unicorn

@bubba-bubbaphant

@picky-piggy

@hoppyhopscotch1

@acat-foryournap

@bobbybearhugs-blog

@bunny-go-hop-hop

@dogday-shines-bright

@bearhugs-from-bobby

@the-cat-that-naps

@bubbabubbaphant-blog

@baba-chops-emo-sheep

@simon-the-dragon

@rabie-baby-bat

GO FOLLOW THEM, THEY'RE ALL WONDERFUL!!! 🫵

Plus my other blogs:

@allister-the-procrastigator

@doctor-harleysawyer

@ask-kissymissy

𖤓 ART:

[all drawn by me!]

current status: Hi sorry my blogs died again its Sawyer day

headcanons under the cut:

Dogday has Autism and ADHD!

Because of his big ol ears, he has bad sensory issues with specific sounds, especially since he can hear so well. Because of that, he carries around headphones with him everywhere, so if you see him sitting somewhere with them on, he is overwhelmed, do not bother him!!

He glows in the dark like a nightlight, but his pendant glows constantly.

When he stims, he does so with tail wagging, hand flapping, and leg stomps/shakes.

he howls at the sun instead of the moon!

He is TERRIFIED of sunflowers. they stare back, he swears they do.

he finds pop rock candy very fascinating! it's his favorite candy.

he likes basking in the sun! and though he may be busy with something almost all the time, he always has an eye out, and is always keeping his friends safe, no matter what!

He 100% puts others before himself, no doubt.

he also has bad memory. not HORRIFICALLY bad, but its not very good either.

his body temperature is warmer than everybody elses, meaning he overheats easily. In contrast to what most would think, he likes cold weather more than summer weather.

[five-thousand-loaves-of-bread]

Is there a disability related topic that you wish people would talk about more?

What is one question, idea, or talking point about [your] disability that you are so tired of?

9. wish talk about more

this answer different depend on which community/where am talk about.

general autism community - as expected, higher support needs people, level 2/3 people, nonverbal minimally verbal people n people without functional communication, early dx people, low/no mask people, people who need 24/7 care, people with intense severe challenging behavioral stuff or so called behavioral issues, other I/DD people, institutionalized n imprisoned people. n also physically disabled ppl. n all that especially if they BIPOC. how we different, how we same…

academic people since just taking about it - how not all disabled ppl have PhD n can read PhD level stuff. how there people in special education never taught how to read how there people with intellectual n cognitive disabilities who can’t read. n those people still disabled still people included when you write “disabled people.” how regardless of other experiences other oppressions if you have PhD (etc) you pretty privileged n maybe should remember that next time u write something.

tumblr AAC community - physically disabled people with cerebral palsy with vocal cord dysfunction with issue with muscle stuff nerve stuff around it with ALS etc etc use AAC n they exist. n not all AAC are symbol based speech generating device for autism / literate autistic teen n adult or mental illnesses.

irl/irl virtual AAC user community been in - people with intellectual cognitive n language disorder who use AAC here too n. AAC take time communicate n we often need even more time. please include us in it. n be in AAC user community, outside world power dynamic still exist, white cis male still take up majority of speaking time n speak it often women & BIPOC & multiply marginalized who can’t get word in or force silence ourselves.

if have to say for everywhere, probably that. learn abt 10 principle of disability justice n actually put into practice. not just give shout out n say you follow them n be done. quick what does principle 2 mean to u how u practice it.

wish people talk about country of birth n citizenship too.

wish people reflect more on privileges you do have.

11. so tired of

answered here :D!

ask game

[steven-reblogs]

“Of course! I’m sure he’d love to know what you think about it!”

[his wings went BRRRR habby steven.]

“Not with that attitude! Hire people. Use them as bait.”

[woe! He is technically helping Chip atm but. Fuck it let him help his kids. Anywho! Hi key! Take a Steven!!]

@steven-reblogs

{GIGGLING}

[Aaanyways, Steven probably jumpscared it, so uh, they probably dropped the bloody crowbar]

“UH- H. HI??”

“…please don’t yell at me-“

[starrz-n-waffl3-fries]

Official introduction post 🙂‍↕️

EDIT: I got tired of scrolling past this pinned post so I put a cut on it- woh :3c

Anyway!!! That’s me!!! :3

My real name is Maxfield or Max, but you can call me Starrz!!! Considering it’s my name online :D

I am a digital artist who is very flexible in their craft, I see art very structurally so I don’t really have a set art style, but rather multiple art styles depending on what media I am drawing for! <3

examples of this include;

YDB(You Deserve Better) art style

C+B(Cuts And Bruises) art style

SJ(Soweli Jan) art style

And my signature doodle art style I use for everything!! :3

Fandoms I’m apart of!!!

-Btd(boyfriend to death)

-ykmet(you kill me every time)

-Undertale

-Deltarune

Circling back to the drawing of me with all of the symbols and flags that I identify with at the start of the post; let me tell you about those!!! :0

Country flags

America— I live in America, self-explanatory

Michigan— I was born and raised in Michigan, a Midwestern state in America

Germany— most of my roots are from Germany, making me German American

Disability flags

ASD(Autism Spectrum Disorder)— I was officially diagnosed at seven years old with Asperger’s syndrome; an outdated term for high functioning autism. This is a learning disability, however people with this disability(myself included) are very capable of wonderful things and we are all very intelligent in our own right<3

ADHD(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)— I’m not sure when I was officially diagnosed with this, however I was diagnosed with this later in my life(I think). This one overlaps with autism a lot as it is also a learning disability, however it tackles more so the inability to focus on tasks more so- but much like autism, ADHD is also a spectrum! So everyone experiences it differently and manages it differently. For myself; I like to keep checklists and stuff!!! :3

Disability pride flag— this one is a general term for anyone who has a disability. I already explained two that I have, but I also additionally have two more regarding mobility. I walked on my tip-toes ever since I learned how to walk and this hindered how long I can walk on my feet without it hurting like a bitch(even after surgery)- another thing that this caused was huge back problems that I have yet to tackle, so that’s fun! I don’t use any mobility aids as I am scared to ask for them, but I do believe I would benefit from them some days when I have to walk for extended periods of time.

Mental health related disorders

C-PTSD(complex post traumatic stress disorder)— much like regular PTSD, this is something that you get from traumatic memories from your childhood. Emphasis on memories, because regular PTSD is only from one traumatic memory. As for people like me, I have several things floating around my head that make it so that even today I am deeply affected by what has happened to me. Make no mistake, however; this disorder is not and never will be an excuse for any actions performed by a person with this disability. I am responsible for my own actions, and this disability does not define me. Although it very much affects me every day, it is not my only personality trait, nor is it a way to excuse any actions of mine :3

Depression and Anxiety— these are pretty well researched Disorders that I don’t feel comfortable discussing too deeply, as they are very difficult to manage for me and they are kind of distressing topics for me, however I fully encourage you to do your own research! Stay safe!!!<3

LGBTQIA+ Labels

Transgender(ftm)— I was born biologically female, however when I started puberty I quickly realized I did not like the body I was growing into, and somewhere in 2021 or 2022 I figured it out I was a trans man, and so far I haven’t had any identity crisis about my gender, so I think it’s a permanent label of mine! Which is very nice<3

Panromantic— much like pansexual, this means you experience attraction to anyone no matter their gender! Many people with this have gender blindness, I don’t know what that means, so you should probably look that up on your own time as well! :3 but the reason why I say panromantic instead of pansexual, is because I do not experience sexual attraction to people! Which we will get into in a minute🙂‍↕️

Asexual— little to no sexual attraction, this does not inherently mean you have a low libido, however- you can have a high libido and still be asexual, so do not confuse those!!! me personally, I am sex neutral and asexual! So I’m not inherently bothered by the topic, just make sure not to get me involved or I will sob in self defense! :33

Other labels

Age regression pride flag— so age regression is basically a coping mechanism for people who want to experience their childhood again, for some people that can look like re-experiencing childhood joys, or reverting back to a child like state to make up for the fact that they feel like their childhood was lackluster or they grew up too fast! Me core :3

Therian/otherkin symbol— people who are spiritually connected to animals!! For me, my therio-type is a red fox!! So I feel naturally connected to them- this does not mean that I believe I am a fox, nor does it mean I am a zoo- there is a huge difference, and I am tired of people thinking they overlap. They do not. I am aware that I am a human, however I believe that I am spiritually connected to foxes<3

Cool people in my circle that you should follow!!<3

@0lizard-shark0 -my lovely partner<3

@watermelonolemretaw -my other awesome significant other depending on how this polyamory thing goes!<3

@burntmarshmallowqueen -their sibling that is helping write ydb with both of us and has a very nice and detailed art style >:0c

@blueleon-blog -my awesome older brother figure and my ride or die🙂‍↕️

@finnsworldz -bestie with the coolest art I’ve ever fucking seen!!! >:3

@gourd-n-cord a really cool friend of mine that I go to school with!! >:33

@m0nst3r-clawz A guy- that is also blood related to me- you can follow him if you want, his oc is pretty cool :3c

@f0rk-kidd a tulpa of mine!!!

For information on my tulpas; this post should take you to the formal introduction post of all of them!! This will be updated if need be so be wary! I have also tagged it ‘salami’ so that you search it easier bc it’s the only post with that tag :3333

I hope that my page brings some whimsy to your day or whatever٩( 'ω' )و🎉‼️✨

[its-whimsii-248]

╭・ 💫︶︶⟡ 🌻・—— 𝟅𝟈

• ɛïɜ welcome to my blog!

: ♪ ° artist, musician, life enthusiast ⚘ ˎˊ˗

• ⚘ please read below for emoji use terms

: and general boundaries! ˎˊ˗

• ☆ blinkie / flash warning at very end!

╰・ 📀︶︶⟡ 🪴・—— ✿

🌀 Whimsii’s Emojis! 🐚

���─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───📀

Not associated with any other emoji creators or communities. I want to make resources for everyone minus the drama!

1. My emojis or graphics are free to use with proper credit! (credit to my username @its-whimsii-248 for graphics and use my tag, “whii” or "whims" in emoji names). Use of my creations for AAC and other communication aids is highly encouraged!

2. Please do not trace, recolor, or repost my art as your own! You may request that I edit or recolor them if you’d like! Also, DO NOT use any of my content for AI or machine learning whatsoever.

3. You may request emojis or graphics in my ask box! I can do expressions, objects, health/disability related, pride, media I enjoy, wordmojis, animation, and more! I will also do communication card templates and maybe userboxes!

4. I will draw most things minus NSFW, heavy gore, controversial/problematic topics, etc. I will make decisions on a case by case basis and I have the right to refuse any request I am not comfy with. More boundaries are on my carrd (which is currently getting revamped)

5. My goal is to make my emojis accessible to all and as helpful and useful as possible! I want to help make specific emojis to describe feelings, experiences, items, etc! Whatever you need to help you :)

🫐─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───🫧

Navigation:

#whimsii art ~~ #whimsiicore ~~ #whiimojis ~~ #whimsii yap ~~ #whimsii asks

🍄─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───🪐

https://en.pronouns.page/@itswhimsii248

🧸 Names: Whimsii or Juniper, no preference! (nicknames are okay for friends!)

🧿 Info: they/any pronouns, pls switch it up! nonbinary + pan (taken!!), eng + esp (not fluent), age 18+

🫶 Titles: introvert, artist, musician, percussionist, singer, crafter, reader, gamer, emoji maker, aspiring streamer!

🪼 Boundaries: ttgs are okay, especially if your tone can be taken multiple ways & please ask to dm. pet names / touch are okay if we are friends! be patient and considerate generally!

✨ Misc. diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder & hypermobility, slight photosensitivity, suspected autism spectrum disorder & HEDS (undiagnosed)

🍓─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───🎪

side blog: @juniperr-248

~ likes: animals, nature, plushies, aquariums/the ocean, autumn, fashion, minky dot fabric, earthy smells, rain, trinkets & crystals

~ interests: studio ghibli, tloz, splatoon, acnh, fnaf, minecraft, sky cotl, sanrio, miku, folklore, weirdcore/backrooms, fruitiger aero, grunge, whimsigoth, goblincore, dark academia

~ hobbies: drawing & painting, color theory, analyzing music & film, curating playlists, world building, singing, playing instruments, researching topics, crocheting, anything DIY

~ dislikes: anything really overstimulating, “loud” or really sweet smells & perfumes, red 40, crowds, microfiber & rude people

tysm for reading!! this may be updated over time ^_^

[wormbraind]

no you cannot be neutral. commit or die

propaganda:

homestuck (@starkid256, homestuck's strongest autism warrior)

homestuck will give you autism. also once you join it you never come back but thats the fun of it. also your worldbuilding skills will improve

dungeon meshi (@thesternest, curator of my dash)

dungeon meshi is one of the best manga i read lately its essentially a really good show and great depiction of how it feels like to be autistic like Laios might be higher than Asa as autism of all time

ward (@victoriadallonfan, professional wildbow shill)

The sequel to Worm, taking place two years after its ending, Ward focuses on a former hero trying to live her life in the post apocalypse Earth, all the while haunted by the demons of her traumatic past. But she��s pulled back into life of heroics by a series of suspicious coincidences and now given the chance to teach a new generation of young heroes how to protect humanity. The story focuses a great deal on mental health recovery, backsliding, and the effects PTSD not just in the life of a superhero but the survivor of traumas many people face in real life. And while the protagonist is a hero, it’s not afraid to show how toxic and potentially dangerous the mindset of being raised in a superhero society as child could have on not just the human psyche, but on human culture as well.

Ward is not for the feint of heart - in many ways far more graphic than its predecessor - but it also has allowed many readers to feel seen by openly discussing theses topics, sometimes through the use of symbolic powers and scenarios. Add in creative power applications, menacing villains, and amazing characters all around, and you have a very heart-wrenching but enjoyable journey ahead of you.

[ametistapp]

Back from the dead to reblog my own year-old post.

Wanted to add that if you're autistic and want to reclaim the puzzle piece, that's perfectly fine! But it's good we advise people to stay away from websites and organizations that use it since most of them are still ableist.

Since it's Autism Awareness Month, here's

Why the puzzle piece is offensive to the Autistic Community

[Large text: Why the puzzle piece is offensive to the Autistic Community]

Unfortunately, the most commonly used symbols to represent autism are all puzzle related, like the ones bellow.

These symbols and similar ones are typically used by Autism Organizations that are run by allistic people rather than autistic, Autism Speaks being the best-known example across the internet, but not the only one.

I'm not going to go deep into how bad Autism Speaks is, but just to leave you with the tip of the iceberg, know they used to put out ads that demonized autistic people (and even one in which one of the organization's leaders spoke about wanting to drive herself and her autistic daughter off a bridge).

Autism Speaks, and many others, attempt to "teach" people about autism, without hearing what actually autistic people have to say, and that's their biggest (but not at all only) problem.

Now, stay with me as we dive into history...

The puzzle piece was first used as a symbol for autism in 1963, by UK's National Autism Society, later on being adopted by Autism Speaks, which made it more popular.

Back then, autism awareness campaigns were viewed as being similar to, for example, cancer awareness ones, because autism was seen as an illness, a disease (which it is not).

As I've made clear before, the puzzle piece is heavily associated with organizations that spread misinformation about autism, making it, of course, already a bad symbol to represent us, but there's something I personally feel bothers us a lot more, and that is the symbolism of the puzzle piece.

The puzzle piece represents an idea of "mystery" and — you guessed it — being "puzzled".

And us, autists, don't really appreciate being called confusing.

Not only that, these words were often used to describe autism offensively in the past (and still are). And, on top of that, most times, when you find a puzzle supposed to represent autism, it is incomplete.

Isn't the message clear enough?

We're people, not puzzles that have to be worked out. We're not incomplete and we're not "puzzled".

So

Which symbols can you use for autism awareness?

[Large text: Which symbols can you use for autism awareness?]

The infinity rainbow symbol is common for all neurodivergent people, while the golden infinity is specific for ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder, in case you didn't know the acronym).

The infinity symbol represents the complexity and vastness of neurodivergence and autism.

Autism is less about "severity" and more about different struggles in different topics and areas (though not a lot of people seem to understand that, unfortunately). After all, autism is a spectrum, not a scale.

And if you're interested in why golden is the color of choice for us, that'd be because the periodic symbol for gold is Au, which I think is very clever, haha.

Some people also like to use red or plain yellow, I don't know a lot about that, but I'd recommend you research it.

And since we're on the topic of color, just a warning: in the Autistic Community we kind of avoid using blue to represent us, especially because it is heavily associated with Autism Speaks' "Light It Up Blue" movement.

Blue is seen as a representation of feelings like sadness, as well as being commonly associated with boys (this is important because women and other AFAB are often misdiagnosed and underdiagnosed because many people still think autism is only found in boys, and because many traits are viewed as "normal behavior" in AFAB people).

This isn't to say you can't use blue in the title of your PowerPoint presentation about ASD, it's just a thing we try to avoid.

Well, that should be all.

I decided to make this post because I've seen many people post about which symbols to use for Autism Awareness Month, but no one explaining why.

Thought this could help some poor lost soul understand it, lol

Happy Autism Awareness Month, my beloved Yippies, and a thank you to everyone who stopped to read <3 (heart).

Now I'm gonna go clean my search history and my gallery, just reading "Autism Speaks" gives me the ick.

[stryshttu]

the scriddler nation doesn't appreciate Riddler 2022 as I do so I'm here to make you love him

He's one of the best interpretations of Riddler and here is WHY.

“he's a desyassified version,” “he doesn't wear expensive suits full of question marks,” “that suit was boring” NO!!!!! IT WAS THE PERFECT SUIT FOR HIM TO START!!! He literally comes from the lowest point, and he talks about how the men in power and corruption keep the low income/poor people at the bottom. Ofc he can't afford those shiny beautiful suits because he doesn't have money for it. Also the military suit was GREAT. He paint it and designed his own symbol which is amazing, a gun sight with a "?" in the center.

Also, he fights againts corruption and classism? 😭 Why would ppl hate that? He fights for the people that were forgotten like him.

“it's not the same story of his father and blah blah blah” ok, they changed his origin story A LOT, and I can get why you get mad at it. I also get mad when I am used to the southern granny Scarecrow story and ppl change it to the story of his father experimenting of him- BUT regarding the Riddler's origin story, it is so so great. Eddie HATES LIES AS WELL, HATES CHEATING, because ppl used to tell him that he could have a better future, and gave him fake hopes. He just wanted an opportunity to be better and when that promise of renewal broke, he broke, too.

He grew wanting to please everyone, be a good boy for the nuns and the other children at the orphanage, even if he didnt agree in somethings or if it was difficult for him to act "normal" (masking his autism- we will talk about that soon), but NOBODY thanked or pleased him. As he got older, he still followed orders from his corrupt boss and the goverment. But what did they do for him? NOTHING. And when he does something for himself ppl tag him as self-centered.

He became the Riddler for the others that also needed help, not only because of him, and ppl still think he's selfish.

He's implied to be autistic (you can notice this more in the comics of Riddler: Year One by Paul Dano), he is non-verbal since kid (canon), as an adult ppl say he doesn't talk and call him weird. He doesn't know how to interact with people in a "normal" way. He also seems to vocally stim with riddles and weird silly noises that you can hear in the movie.

The catholic guilt content? PLEASEEEE. We need to take advantage of that. He even did a catholic reference riddle!!! (That one of the sins of the father)

We can also see that topic of him dont knowing if he's insane or not, (or denying being it). He knows his situation is not good, and HE TRIES to be better, listening to podcast about mindfulness and stay positive- but at the end, everything gets worse to him. He's very smart and is afraid that his biggest and greatest thing about himself (his mind) is also the worst thing and can turn againts himself because of a mental illness. We saw it in the movie when Batman calls him "sick and twisted, etc etc," and he has a mental breakdown. Yes, that scene is DEEPER than you think. His mother died in Arkham when he was in the orphanage as a kid, now imagine that the guy you always admired says to you, “you're gonna die alone at Arkham” just like his mother did and no one cared. He doesn't want that, he wants to be remembered. He doesn't want to end up like his mother- alone and mentally ill.

He makes funny jokes in the movie! He's so goofy!!!!

AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT HIM BEING A BIG BOY?!!!! CHUBBY RIDDLER SUPREMACY!!!!!

And please he has the same bad habits as Arkhamverse Riddler, you cannot hate this version of him if you love Arkham Knight Riddler. He doesn't sleep well because he plays the DETECTIVE role (YES! HE ALSO GOES THERE AND INVESTIGATES- or else how tf would he have evidence of all the corruption and know all that information?) and claims that Einstein only took naps. He doesnt eat well. His lastname is Nashton (a reminder that is canon that Arkhamverse Riddler had the same lastname before changing it to Nygma). And in this page called "nigma. org" is well known and ppl call him a genius, which suggests that we will soon see how he calls himself E. Nygma.

And yes, he is also a little bastard insufferable, and if you dont think so, then I guess we didnt watch the same movie.

THERE'S SO MUCH MORE OF HIM BEING ONE OF THE BEST ONES!!! but i'll end it up here, thank you for your attention.

[noisycowboyglitter]

The Evolution of the Evolve Atheist Fish Logo: Symbolism and Impact

The Evolve Atheist Fish Logo Evolution Symbol is a satirical emblem that combines elements of the Christian ichthys (fish) symbol with evolutionary imagery. This clever design subverts the traditional religious icon to promote scientific understanding and secular worldviews.

Buy now:19.95$

The symbol typically features a stylized fish outline, reminiscent of the ichthys, but with notable modifications. Instead of the simple curved shape, the fish is elongated and depicted with developed legs. This representation alludes to the evolutionary transition of aquatic creatures to terrestrial life forms, a key concept in evolutionary biology.

Inside the fish's body, the word "EVOLVE" is often inscribed, emphasizing the central theme of evolutionary change. The legs protruding from the fish's underside symbolize adaptation and progress, illustrating the gradual transformation of species over time.

Buy now

This emblem serves as a visual shorthand for those who embrace scientific explanations for life's diversity and reject creationist beliefs. It's frequently seen as bumper stickers, t-shirts, and other merchandise, allowing individuals to express their stance on evolution and secularism.

The Evolve Atheist Fish Logo Evolution Symbol sparks conversation and debate about the relationship between science and religion. While some view it as a thought-provoking statement, others may find it controversial or offensive. Ultimately, it remains a powerful icon in the ongoing dialogue about human origins and the nature of existence.

Buy now

Fishing-related gifts are perfect for anglers of all skill levels, offering both practical utility and sentimental value. These presents range from essential gear to quirky novelties, catering to various budgets and preferences.

Popular options include high-quality rods and reels, tackle boxes, and specialized lures. For the tech-savvy fisherman, consider fish finders or waterproof cameras. Personalized items like engraved fishing knives or custom-made lures add a thoughtful touch.

Comfort-focused gifts such as weatherproof clothing, fishing vests, or portable chairs enhance the fishing experience. Books on fishing techniques or local hotspots can educate and inspire. For home decor, consider fish-themed art, vintage lure displays, or mounted catches.

Buy now

Novelty items like fish-shaped bottle openers or humorous fishing T-shirts inject fun into the hobby. Gift cards to sporting goods stores or fishing charters offer flexibility. Ultimately, fishing gifts celebrate the recipient's passion while supporting their adventures on the water.

[rubbership]

lets say that there is a system heavily based around stuffed animals. here are a few examples of how that could present

one alter is a plushie and the rest of the alters are things that "interact" with the plushie, such as a little girl who owns the plushie, or a dog who uses it as a chew toy. the little girl may represent their childhood self, the dog may represent their self harming tendencies, the plushie may represent their body

all alters are different types of plushies, each species connected to a specific personality trait or point of view they have projected. they do not have a "body" alter because they view themselves as watching morality plays between these stuffed toys, like the type youd make up as a kid

all alters are plushies except for one alter who is a "plush maker", and the plush maker is creating all the plushes so she can have company and support through her life. the plush making may represent the subtle concious awareness that they are dissociating on purpose, to help them get through something, and the plushies represent the feelings/parts of herself they've had to repress.

maybe they weren't based around stuffed animals initially but after experiencing fusion of many parts theyve started interpreting a part as a large amalgamation of their childhood toys theyve had during different points of their life, which would imply their different "parts" being realigned and reorganized in a shape thats more helpful to them

the reason you can't judge or deem anyones system off of how real or "grounded" it seems is because this isn't a disorder with an outline telling you what alters mean and what parts can and can't exist. the disorder is a lot like how psychosis and schizophrenia work, it is all symbolic and it is all "fantastical" in ways maybe you won't ever understand, but it all 100% has a purpose and meaning caused by past experiences being chewed up and symbolized in a more processable and less dangerous way by the brain. the reason i chose to use stuffed animals as an example is because stuffed animal/plushie alters are extremely common due to the fact that they are a childhood toy that is common for both genders and easy to get your hands onto, but that doesn't mean every plushie alter is the same, shares the same role, or that if someone has ALL plushies that they're lying. it just depends on what is symbolically important to the brain. this also connects to DIDs connection to autism, and autistic peoples tendency to become fixated on one or a few specific topics. this is also why systems with alters all from one series, or with systems who have a TON of fictives exist, for the very same reason.

[satanicjamanic]

I have this assignment where I have to do (in my free time) research + make a presentation on a topic of my choosing n then I present it to my AP Lang class at the end of the year.

So of course I'm being super chill and regular and my topic is:

SYMBOLISM + THEMES IN MCR'S 2022 TOUR

(Mostly Gee's outfits)

I love subjecting my teacher and peers to my autism.

[3v3ry0n3z-fav3-al13n-x3]

ik i said i'm on a break but

i just found this while browsing on the hot topic website--

for context: the autism awarness puzzle piece is a symbol originally created by the organisation Autism Speaks, which treats autistic ppl like shit. their goal is to, quote, ''ultimately eradicate autism for the sake of future generations.'' they also compared autism with deadly diseases. its also getting criticized for the fact that they put the focus of the work not on autistic ppl, but on parents and their hurdles. they treat autism purely deficiently.

also the puzzle piece clearly implies that autistic ppl have ''a missing piece''

both is just.. yikes..