In recent years, there has been a growing movement within the autistic community to retire the puzzle piece as a symbol for autism advocacy. Instead, advocates have proposed alternative symbols like the infinity symbol, which represents the infinite diversity and complexity of the autistic community.

As an autistic artist, I have found that one of the most effective ways to communicate my experiences is through visual art. I often have trouble describing what I’m feeling in words, or worse, I gaslight myself into doubting any feelings I have are real at all. But I can paint what it feels like, and that painting can evoke emotions in other people. I have painted several self-portraits depicting autistic traits, each piece representing a different aspect of my neurodivergent experience.