- The gold infinity symbol stands for autism. Gold's chemical symbol is Au.
- The rainbow infinity symbol stands for neurodiversity.
- Many autistic people avoid the old puzzle piece symbol.
- When in doubt, ask autistic people what they prefer.
What is the autism symbol?
The symbol most used by autistic people today is the infinity loop:
- Gold infinity for autism. Gold's chemical symbol is Au, the first two letters of autism.
- Rainbow infinity for neurodiversity, the idea that brains naturally work in many different ways.
The loop has no beginning or end. For many people, it stands for the wide, varied spectrum of autistic experience, and for acceptance rather than a problem to be fixed.
Why did the puzzle piece fall out of favor?
The puzzle piece was introduced in the 1960s and became widely used by charities. Many autistic adults now reject it, because it suggests autistic people are puzzling, incomplete or missing a piece.
A 2018 study found that puzzle pieces bring up negative ideas like "imperfect" and "incomplete" for the general public too, even when people don't connect them to autism.1
What do the autism colors mean?
| Color | Often means |
|---|---|
| Gold | Autism (from Au, gold's chemical symbol) |
| Rainbow | Neurodiversity and the full spectrum |
| Red | "Red instead," a campaign by autistic advocates for acceptance |
| Blue | Older awareness campaigns, which many autistic people don't support |
How can my family show support?
Every April, many people mark Autism Acceptance Month.3 A few ideas that center autistic people:
- Use the infinity symbol in crafts, shirts or school projects
- Share books, videos or art made by autistic people
- Ask your autistic child which symbol or color they like, if they want one at all
Read more in What is Autism Acceptance Month?
What can we do this week?
0 of 3 done
Read next: What is autism?
