To many autistic people, the puzzle piece represents stigma, exclusion and a harmful push to make them conform.

While there is no official symbol for autism awareness (like the pink ribbon for breast cancer), advocates have used a few designs. The most recognized imagery for the diagnosis is a puzzle piece.

The most popular symbols representing autism are the multi-colored puzzle piece or the multi-colored puzzle piece ribbon. The multi-colored puzzle piece was designed in 1963 by Gerald Gasson ...