Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month

Today is Wednesday 2nd April 2025, Autism Awareness Day. It is also the start of Autism Acceptance Month which runs until the end of April.

Awareness or acceptance?

This month is all about autism acceptance, a vibrant movement that champions understanding and support for autistic individuals. It’s not just about raising awareness—it’s about actively building bridges of understanding, fostering inclusion, and creating nurturing environments for everyone. While awareness illuminates the journey, acceptance is the uplifting companion that encourages us to celebrate the unique strengths and contributions of autistic people. Together, we can cultivate a community where acceptance flourishes hand in hand with understanding.

Each person is unique, and their differences are a normal part of life. Instead of thinking of autism as a condition that needs to be fixed, we should celebrate the differences autism brings.

Infinity or puzzle piece?

The puzzle piece was first introduced in 1963 by the British organization the National Autistic Society (NSA) to represent the unique experiences of individuals with autism. Although the NSA has since moved on from this symbol, many autistic people have redefined the puzzle piece narrative to celebrate neurodiversity and the strengths that come with it. While the original design highlighted misunderstandings about autism, the focus has shifted towards embracing the vibrant and diverse community of individuals on the spectrum, reflecting a more positive and hopeful perspective on their journeys.

People, not puzzles,
I am not a missing piece,
Nothing about us without us.
These empowering statements come from autistic individuals who embrace their identity and thrive in their uniqueness, believing that they are not broken but beautifully diverse. Instead of conforming to outdated perceptions, we celebrate another symbol, crafted by autistics, that embodies neurodiversity. This continuous shape reflects the spectrum of experiences. I was designed to represent the vibrant essence of neurodiversity, featuring a gold infinity symbol for autism—where Au signifies both the start of autism and the chemical symbol for gold. Nowadays, many are proudly embracing the rainbow version as a joyous representation of autism, signifying hope and acceptance.

Wear red instead.

Some people mindlessly associate the colour blue with autism, thanks to the US charity Autism Speaks, which shamelessly adopts a blue puzzle piece as its emblem while promoting the insipid ‘Light it up blue’ campaign. Yet, it’s worth noting that many autistic individuals vehemently reject Autism Speaks, an organization that has infamously labelled autism a disease. Their misguided “search for answers” translates to a relentless pursuit of a cure or treatment, and they openly discuss the abhorrent idea of eradicating autism altogether.

Instead, there’s an inspiring autistic-led campaign called “Wear Red Instead,” offering a vibrant alternative to the blue of Autism Speaks.

Instead of viewing autism as a challenge, let’s embrace and celebrate the unique differences in and among people this month.