Autism Colors and Symbols

Much work and effort is being done to spread awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These awareness campaigns are meant to educate and inform people about different aspects of autism, all of which leads to more support for research and programs, as well as overall better inclusivity for people on the spectrum.

As part of these awareness campaigns, organizations use many different visual aids to help get their message across. Some have created very unique symbols that represent who they are and what they do, and there are also common colors and symbols that are often used to represent autism.

These aren’t just chosen randomly, either. They have a very specific meaning and connection to autism, which helps people more clearly understand what can be foreign concepts.

Year / Period	Symbol or Color Introduced	Organization / Movement	Purpose / Significance
1963	Puzzle Piece	National Autistic Society (UK), later adopted by Autism Speaks	Initially meant to represent the complexity of autism; later became controversial.
2010	Blue (Light it Up Blue)	Autism Speaks	Part of global awareness campaign; uses blue to promote calmness and visibility for autism.
2015–Present	Infinity Symbol	Neurodiversity Advocates	Embraces the broad spectrum and promotes inclusion and diversity over deficit-focused narratives.
Late 2010s–Present	Butterfly	Modern Awareness Campaigns	Symbolizes transformation and beauty in personal growth and neurodiversity.

Below, we’ll discuss some of these common autism colors and symbols that are used in awareness campaigns.

Table Of Contents

The Rainbow

Today, ASD is commonly understood to be a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects people in varied ways. Some people may be only moderately affected by ASD, while others may be affected more severely.

This range of severity in symptoms is what is referred to as the autism spectrum. One of the most effective ways that this concept is conveyed is through the use of the rainbow.

The rainbow itself represents all the different varied colors across a spectrum of light. In this way, it’s a great visual representation of how autism spans a wide spectrum as well, while also sharing common symptoms for all.

Puzzle Piece

The Autism Speaks organization was the one that first started using a puzzle piece to represent autism. It can either be used by itself or combined with the rainbow or other colors to add meaning.

While the puzzle piece might be one of the most commonly recognized symbols of autism, some people believe it’s not very positive. Some individuals with autism believe that a puzzle piece conveys that they are missing something or that they don’t fit into normal social circles or within societal expectations.

Blue

The color blue is also used a lot to represent autism, thanks in large part to Autism Speaks’ campaign called “Light it Up Blue.” During the campaign, the organization asks people to wear clothes with the color blue to help them promote awareness of ASD.

The color is used a lot on April 2 every year, which is World Autism Awareness Day and which kicks off Autism Awareness Month.

The reason why blue is chosen is because it’s often associated with feeling calm and with acceptance. Both of these are very important concepts for people who have autism, especially as they try to navigate a world that may feel to them, at times, hectic and noisy.

Infinity Symbol

The infinity symbol is one of the newer symbols that’s used to represent autism. It was created to be a symbol that better explains what ASD is and to be more inclusive to people on the spectrum compared to the puzzle piece.

In awareness campaigns, this symbol is also used in combination with the rainbow or the color blue to tie it back into easily-recognizable materials.

The infinity symbol shows how everything is interconnected, just like people on the autism spectrum, and how there are many varied parts.

Butterfly

Another new symbol that’s being used in autism awareness campaigns is the butterfly. Again, it’s often paired with rainbow colors, the color blue by itself and/or even puzzle pieces.

In essence, the butterfly represents change, growth and development — all important concepts for autism awareness. It also symbolizes how things are constantly developing and how everything is beautiful through every step of that progress.

Many people believe the butterfly is a great symbol for autism because it emphasizes how important continued development is for individuals with ASD and also for the greater autism community — in terms of spreading awareness, advancing research and fostering greater inclusivity.

Color/Symbol	Type	Used By / Origin	Meaning / Purpose
Rainbow	Color	General Awareness	Represents the autism spectrum; shows diversity in experiences and symptoms.
Puzzle Piece	Symbol	Autism Speaks	Represents complexity; controversial for implying missing pieces or disconnection.
Blue	Color	Autism Speaks – “Light it Up Blue” Campaign	Symbolizes calm, acceptance, and awareness; especially used on April 2 (World Autism Awareness Day).
Infinity Symbol	Symbol	Neurodiversity Movement	Conveys diversity and infinite possibilities; emphasizes inclusivity and connection.
Butterfly	Symbol	Recent Campaigns	Represents transformation, growth, and the beauty of progress within the autism community.

Blue Gems ABA Helps Spread ASD Awareness

There are many different colors and symbols that are commonly used to represent autism, and these are just a few. At Blue Gems ABA, we know how important it is to spread autism awareness, and it has and will continue to lead to greater inclusivity, more opportunities and enhanced research that can benefit people with autism.

Every day, we help support children on the autism spectrum by administering applied behavior analysis, or ABA therapy. This science-based approach to learning helps children with ASD build communication and social skills while also modifying certain negative behaviors.

To learn more, please contact us today.