While puzzle pieces have become a nearly ubiquitous symbol of support for the Autistic community, many Autistic folks (including myself) have argued that the symbol is misguided at best. I would never want to diminish genuine effort at advocacy, but it is worth saying that the very nature of the symbol has sinister implications.
First, the puzzle piece was primarily popularized by Autism Speaks, a group infamous among the Autistic community for their problematic rhetoric and struggles to include Autistic folks in discussions about autism (go figure). Second, and probably more importantly, the puzzle piece is meant to apply that there is something missing with autistic folks: a piece that the rest of the word has or might be able to give us.
While RFK Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services and close personal ally of President Trump, has not particularly emphasized puzzle pieces in his tenure at HHS, the dehumanizing message behind the symbol echoes throughout his work. Nearly a year ago, Autism first entered RFK’s crosshairs with the secretary describing the disability as a “epidemic” and touted rising diagnostic rates as some sort of societal failure. Meanwhile the actual medical professionals were arguing that this rise in Autism diagnosis was actually a good thing – representing a newfound awareness of the disability and greater detection efforts by doctors.
About three months after these initial remarks RFK came back swinging confidently and incorrectly with new claims that Tylenol use during pregnancy might cause autism and the promise of a cure. Thankfully, Americans seemed widely skeptical of these arguments. Still, the insinuation that Autism, a disability impacting every facet of one’s personality, interests, and relationships, could be cured shows a deep disconnect from Autistic community HHS claims to be helping.
Ironically, the fear of rising diagnostic rates and demand for a cure that RFK Jr. has so proudly championed is actually hurting the Autistic folks who could most benefit from a better public understanding of autism. In fact, as diagnostic rates have risen, it is women and people of color who have comprised the largest portion of this rise. While Autism is less prevalent in women than men, medical professionals agree that a major part of this disparity is a failure to detect autism in women, not its lack of existence.
While I certainly can’t speak for all female autistics, our class has discussed in depth the sorts of social accommodations women make on a daily basis to not disrupt their relationships or communities. It only makes sense that this skill set would result in high levels of masking: the concealment of outward signs of Autism as a means of social survival. In reality, we should be celebrating these new diagnoses, especially if it means more women are getting the help they need for this disability, all while masking less. Unfortunately, this sort of nuance is exactly what is lost when we turn to the rhetoric of “cures” and “epidemics.”
Regrettably, this is likely the saddest blog post I’ll make during my tenure on shoutout, but I would still like to leave our treasured readers with a touch of optimism. This past January, Mattel released their newest addition to the decades old fashionista line… AN AUTISTIC BARBIE. This doll was released in collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and provides a variety of accessories including headphones, stim toys, and other appropriately neurodivergent trinkets.
Unfortunately, Mattel did not singlehandedly end ableism with this release. Still, their efforts reflect exactly what we all can do to help in the fight against dehumanizing rhetoric towards Autism. Listen to the Autistic folks in your life, help them when there are barriers in day to day life (loud noises) which can be accommodated or avoided, and above all else, love them the way you would love anyone near and dear to you.
Featured Image CC:
https://objectivejournalism.org/2023/04/as-transgender-america-struggles-national-news-doesnt-know-what-to-write/