Why Does Autism Need a Symbol? Other Conditions Don’t

Someone asked why autism needs a symbol and pointed out that other conditions like color blindness don’t have symbols.

This person is highly ignorant.

I read an article that discussed why the puzzle piece symbol doesn’t fly too well with most Autistic people.

The article also covered the infinity symbol as much more accepted in the autism community.

An infinity symbol — of all different colors — is usually the one for representing ASD.

However, for a more specified representation of autism, an infinity symbol of gold is used, since the letters on the chemist’s periodic table for the element of gold are AU.

In the comments section I said that the infinity symbol (vs. the puzzle piece) works for me.

Someone posted the following response.

Like I said, they’re ignorant. It doesn’t occur to this person that a symbol can be in the form of a sticker that can go just about anywhere.

An autistic self-advocate may want to put the sticker on their computer, notebook or backpack.

The symbol can be in the form of a pin – easily fastened to clothes, a backpack or a cap.

It could be a bumper sticker, a necklace or in some other form that, to the observer, conveys autism acceptance.

I’ve worn a shirt that has a big colorful infinity symbol. Where I’ve donned this shirt, I want people to know I proudly take up space on the Spectrum.

How will they know this without the symbol? Dozens of people passing by will instantly know that I stand for autism in some way, shape or form.

Without the symbol, people won’t know unless I announce “I’m autistic” to every person who passes by.

And yes, I also have tops that say things like “Weaponized Autism,” but sometimes I just want a graphic – like an infinity symbol.

I’ve used the infinity symbol extensively in the autism articles I’ve posted on this site.

A symbol is an instant way to receive a message.

The person who posted that reply to my comment is obviously not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

He or she is definitely a few sandwiches short of a picnic.

It doesn’t matter that conditions such as myopia, left-handedness or ADHD don’t have a symbol.

Maybe one day they will. However, many conditions have colors associated with them – colors on ribbons; a ribbon of a particular color representing a specific condition.

How is it possible that someone can’t figure out why there’s a symbol for autism?

Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise. At Bally Total Fitness, where she was also a group fitness instructor, she trained clients of all ages for fat loss and maintaining it, muscle and strength building, fitness, and improved cardiovascular and overall health. She has a clinical diagnosis of ASD.