If you’re wondering why #WorldAutismAwarenessDay has a rainbow infinity symbol, it’s because the majority of autistics take issue with the puzzle piece.

We are not a problem to be solved. We are not missing a piece of the puzzle.

We ARE part of an infinite spectrum.

Some autistics don’t mind the puzzle piece and that’s totally valid.

But because the puzzle piece was introduced and popularized by Autism Speaks (who speaks over autistics, we needed a replacement.

The rainbow infinity symbol is OUR symbol. #AutismAcceptance

I stand corrected. The puzzle piece STARTED like this , which is even worse. Whether we’re nonspeaking, have intellectual disability or other comorbidities, we are not a tragedy. #AutismAcceptance

https://twitter.com/autisticbride/status/1245715316115673092?s=21 https://twitter.com/autisticbride/status/1245715316115673092

The puzzle piece was popularized by autism speaks, and is mostly used by parents of autistic kids.

But the first rule of being an ally is to listen.

We’ve been spoken over by allistics (non-autistic) our whole lives. Time to pass the mic.

#AutismAcceptance

Finally, someone at @TwitterAble listened to #ActuallyAutistic people as a group and replaced the puzzle piece with a neurodiversity symbol hashflag.

Can you imagine what it feels like to be heard for the first time?

#AutismAcceptance #AutismAwarenessDay

Something else you may notice is that the #AutismAwarenessDay and #AutismAwareness tags are mostly used by celebrities and parents.

But everybody is aware of autism from that allistic perspective.

Autistics have been pushing for something better for years: #AutismAcceptance

Autistic advocacy's next step: Listen to underrepresented autistics.

@autisticpastor started #AllAutistics
@kerima_cevik started #AutisticWhileBlack
@BeingKaylaSmith started #AutisticBlackPride
@lilririah started #StayStimmy
@jtknoxroxs started #AutisticJoy

Follow them.

To learn more about the autistic experience, read my #StimmyKitty comics! I hope they help.

https://www.steveasbell.com/comics 

#AutismAcceptance #AllAutistics