Autism Awareness Month - The History and Current Controversy
by Camila Lopez, Senior, iPreparatory Academy
by Camila Lopez, Senior, iPreparatory Academy
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The National Institute of Mental Health defines Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as “a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior.” It is a “spectrum” because there are varying levels of symptom severity and type. For example, some symptoms include: “making little or inconsistent eye contact,” “having overly focused interests,” “having an unusual tone of voice,” and “being more or less sensitive than other people to sensory input.” However, it is important to note that ASD presents itself in many different ways, and the symptoms are unique to each individual with autism. Additionally, autism is diagnosed in people of all ages, genders, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
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Credit: National Institute of Mental Health
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The history of an autism diagnosis includes a long path from uninformed definitions to, ultimately, a more comprehensive and scientific definition outlined in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM). Spectrum, an online periodical with a “commitment to provide accurate and objective coverage of autism research,” documents the history of the diagnosis: In 1943, an Austrian psychiatrist and physician named Leo Kenner described children with autism as having an “anxiously obsessive desire for the maintenance of sameness.” However, he did not categorize it as a neurocognitive health problem. Furthermore, Austrian born psychologist Bruno Bettelheim credited unemotional mothers as the cause for autism. In 1952, the DSM categorized autism as a form of child schizophrenia. The autism spectrum went through many different definitions before being officially defined as a spectrum in the 1994 and 2000 versions of the DSM.
As of February 11, 2020, Autism Speaks adopted this new logo based on their original logo. https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/introducing-new-autism-speaks
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Autism Speaks, the leading autism awareness nonprofit, was founded in February of 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, two grandparents of a child with autism. According to the website, the nonprofit is “dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.”
According to their website, their goals for the next ten years aim for progress in: “A better understanding of the causes and typology of ASD,” as well as “the availability of better treatments both for underlying pathology as well as co-existing conditions that decrease quality of life for those with autism.” |
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To raise awareness, they adopted the puzzle piece logo as their iconic symbol. However, this logo has a deep ableist history. According to the nonprofit, Art of Autism, the logo was first created in 1963 by Gerald Gasson, “a parent and board member for the National Autistic Society...The board believed autistic people suffered from a ‘puzzling’ condition. Included with the puzzle piece was an image of a weeping child. The weeping child was used as a reminder that Autistic people suffer from their condition.” |
The logo for The National Autistic Society depicts a weeping child in a puzzle piece. https://i0.wp.com/the-art-of-autism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/NASlogo.gif?ssl=1
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This controversy runs through a lot of the projects and initiatives hosted by Autism Speaks. They have been widely criticized for speaking and writing about Autism as a life-ruining and extremely burdensome diagnosis, something that autism advocates have long expressed concern.
Instead, advocates rally people to learn about autism and recognize all parts of the spectrum and acknowledge that autism awareness is more complex than just reading about it or knowing one person who has been diagnosed.
Autism awareness is about teaching a whole society, emphasizing how teachers, law enforcement, and employers can be instruments of change in the lives of people with autism.
Citations
“About Us.” Autism Speaks, www.autismspeaks.org/about-us.
“The Autism Puzzle Piece: A Symbol That's Going to Stay or Go?” The Art of Autism, 27 Sept. 2020, the-art-of-autism.com/the-autism-puzzle- piece-a-symbol-of-what/#:~:text=The origins of the puzzle,for Autistic Children) in London.&text=The weeping child was used,people suffer from their condition.
“Autism Spectrum Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml.
“The Evolution of 'Autism' as a Diagnosis, Explained.” Spectrum, 2 Apr. 2020,
www.spectrumnews.org/news/evolution-autism-diagnosis-explained/#:~:text=Autism was originally described as,criteria have changed as well.
“The Autism Puzzle Piece: A Symbol That's Going to Stay or Go?” The Art of Autism, 27 Sept. 2020, the-art-of-autism.com/the-autism-puzzle- piece-a-symbol-of-what/#:~:text=The origins of the puzzle,for Autistic Children) in London.&text=The weeping child was used,people suffer from their condition.
“Autism Spectrum Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml.
“The Evolution of 'Autism' as a Diagnosis, Explained.” Spectrum, 2 Apr. 2020,
www.spectrumnews.org/news/evolution-autism-diagnosis-explained/#:~:text=Autism was originally described as,criteria have changed as well.