Today, autism flags represent awareness, acceptance, pride, and a celebration of neurodiversity. As autism awareness grows, the way we honor autistic individuals through flags is also evolving. Acceptance of autistic individuals is now seen as more important than simply raising awareness of autism among families.
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Autism pride day
Autistic Pride Day is celebrated every year on 18 June. The main aim is to bring about changes for autistic people and increase love and acceptance for autistic children in society.
History of Autism Flags and Symbols
Autism Pride Day was first celebrated in 2005 by Aspies For Freedom (AFF). Symbols have been used for autism awareness for quite some time. The first symbol of autism was a puzzle piece created by the Autism Society of America in the 1960s.
Puzzle Piece Flag: The symbol’s meaning was that autism is a complex condition that is not easy to understand. Since blue is associated with autism awareness, the puzzle piece is also made in blue. But as awareness grew, some people began to question the puzzle piece. According to them, the puzzle piece suggests that autistic individuals are incomplete or lacking in some way, which is why the autism puzzle piece flag is increasingly being criticized. This lead to the creation of new flags to celebrate autism pride, acceptance, and neurodiversity.
Autism Flags or Autism Infinity Symbols
The autism flag is one symbol that represents autism and the autism community. There are different versions of the autism flag, but I am explaining the four most popular ones in this blog.
Rainbow Infinity Flag
This flag has a rainbow-colored infinity sign on a white background, which infinite symbol that represents the diversity of the autism spectrum and its infinite variations. Every autistic person is different and their difficulties are also different this rainbow color represents these differences.
Gold Infinity Flag
This flag also looks like a Rainbow infinity flag but it has a gold color infinity symbol. A light rainbow infinity flag has rainbow colors. The gold color was used in this autism flag because the chemical symbol of gold is “Au” which matches the first two letters of the word “Autism”.
Red Instead Movement
This flag is associated with the “Red Instead movement”. While blue has traditionally been the color of autism, red color promotes today’s new thinking and awareness and promotes acceptance of autistic children alongside awareness. This flag shows solidarity with the neurodiversity movement.
Light it Up Blue
This is a part of autism speaks awareness where on 2nd April autism awareness day blue lights are used to promote autism awareness in the community. However, some people from the autistic community criticize this because they say acceptance is more important instead of awareness.
The motive of Autism Pride Day is to Accept, Celebrate and Empower Autism.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is Autism Pride Day celebrated?
Autism Pride Day is celebrated on 18 June to celebrate the neurodiversity and unique differences of autistic individuals. Its main purpose is to promote acceptance and awareness.
When is Autism Awareness Day Celebrated?
Autism Awareness Day is celebrated every year on 2nd April. Its main purpose is to support autistic families and promote the acceptance of autistic children in society.
What are Autism Infinity symbols?
Autism infinity symbol represents the autism community and autism neurodiversity, there are 2 main types of autism infinity symbol “Rainbow infinity symbol” and “Gold infinity symbol”.