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Autism Vox

Puzzle Ribbon, All Twisted Up

by Kristina Chew, PhD on May 7th, 2007

If you are a little tired of the “puzzle ribbon” as a symbol for the so-called “mystery” of autism, here’s the ribbon all twisted up in a knot, courtesy of dumpr.

Or, if you’d rather, here’s the puzzle ribbon as a puzzle.

Thanks to Eye on DNA for the psychedelic suggestion.

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Eye on DNA Links Round 4 — Eye on DNA
May 8, 2007 at 4:12 am

[…] Kristina at Autism Vox shares the autism ribbon all twisted up […]
Autism Vox
May 10, 2007 at 7:15 pm

[…] read the words in a book but not grasp the meaning. I found Alex’s use of the familiar “puzzle” metaphor of autism […]
Stephanie
Nov 16, 2007 at 1:47 pm

I am the parent of an Asbergers Autistic child. I believe that the puzzle ribbon is the best icon to bring awareness to this as you call it (so called mystery) it truley is a puzzle. As if Autism and Asbergers wasn’t enough, we now are told that there is a new “twist” the Weak X gene…..

I just have to say that your comment shows the ignorance and condemnation of most people who believe that all this is is bad parenting.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Nov 16, 2007 at 2:02 pm

Thanks, Stephanie. My understanding is that, while the puzzle ribbon may symbolize how non-autistic persons may feel about autistic persons (such as their children), autistic persons themselves find this notion of being considered a “puzzle” and a “mystery” troubling. We non-autistic persons—the “neurotypical”—seem to be puzzling ourselves to autistic persons—–certainly I would say that my son must wonder at why in the world I wish for him to do something! I think you are referring to some of the findings in autism genetics about de novo mutations? Best wishes.
Chuck
Nov 16, 2007 at 2:57 pm

Stephanie,

Are you referring to Fragile X syndrome?
Lizzy
Feb 9, 2008 at 11:40 pm

Say what you like but the fact remains that just like ADD, we don’t know what causes some people to have autism and some to not. Not that one condition is normal and the other is not. I have dealt with ADHD allmy life and consider myself normal but I understand that for other types, I can apear anything but. So to say that Autism creates a puzzle or has a mystery is acurate. I believe that once we understand what causes people to have or not have Autism, it will be preceived by the general population more like a personality type. I personally don’t see my nephew as anything other than normal. he’s VERY smart, exentric and strong willed. He knows what he wants and he demands that his life run smoothly, how is that NOT normal? I just wish I had the gusto to demand that my life run the way I want it.
Jennifer
Mar 19, 2008 at 12:24 am

“I believe that once we understand what causes people to have or not have Autism, it will be preceived by the general population more like a personality type.”

The whole point of all this research is to cure and prevent autism. If groups like autism speaks succeed in their goals, people like me will no longer exist. If all this research were to bring greater acceptance of autistic people, I would be fine with it. But, unfortunately it’s all about eugenics. But don’t take my word for it, do some research. A good starting point is the autism speaks site. Look at their mission statement.

As far as the ribbon goes. It offends me. As does the blue puzzle piece from autism speaks. To me those are hate symbols. I react to the blue puzzle piece in much the same way a Jew would react to a swastika.