Member-only story

The Autism Puzzle Piece Logo: What It Really Means

National Council on Severe Autism
3 min readAug 24, 2021

A variation on the puzzle piece logo in a tatoo created in honor of a mother’s beloved son with severe autism.

One of the orginators of the puzzle symbol explains the intentions behind it.

By Thomas A. McKean

There has been some misinformation spreading out there on the web lately about the puzzle piece awareness ribbon and what it means and represents. One of the things they are saying is that no one with autism was involved in its creation. This is incorrect. I was involved with it. I was there in the the room that day and I had both input and a vote. I’d like a moment to clarify just a few things.

The puzzle piece ribbon was created back in 1999, some 22 years ago. Over those years, several people have put their own unique meaning to what it represents. (Example: one mother told me that for her it represented the missing pieces of her life that her child filled in for her.) Below is what the puzzle piece means — OFFICIALLY.

The interlocking pieces represent the unknowns of autism. Understand we are talking about autism itself, not any individual who may be diagnosed. We are not saying, as some believe, that “people with autism are a puzzle.” We are not saying they are “missing pieces.” We are not saying they are “a puzzle to be solved.” We never said any of that. What we are saying here is there are still a few things that we haven’t quite figured out yet about how all of this works. So…

The author made this story available to Medium members only.
If you’re new to Medium, create a new account to read this story on us.

Or, continue in mobile web

Already have an account? Sign in

National Council on Severe Autism
National Council on Severe Autism

Written by National Council on Severe Autism

National Council on Severe Autism pursues recognition, policy and solutions for individuals, families and caregivers affected by severe autism. NCSAutism.org

Responses (2)

What are your thoughts?

I am BEYOND Thrilled to not only see this article but to hear from Thomas again. I met him back in the mid to late 90s, have heard him speak a few times and read his books. He helped me bettr understand autism and my son. Thank you Thomas for helping to clairy this for so many who just don't understand.

1

The puzzle piece is terrible and so is the Light It Up Blue campaign!