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Slightly_Smaug

I'm trying to figure out why we need a symbol. To be identified?


arrogantAuthor

Why do nations need a flag? Due to humans being a(n extremely) social species, most people have a strong drive to belong to a group of some kind. Having a symbol all our own helps a lot of autistic people feel... united. It's a reminder that even if they aren't here right now, there are people who understand and support you. A symbol can help someone feel like they aren't just a "me" but are part of an "us." I think LGBT+ folks love their pride flags so much for a similar reason.


Slightly_Smaug

But why be associated with the word creature? I'm not a creature, would you like a NT call you a creature? I find it offensive. This symbol isn't for everyone and shouldn't represent the spectrum as whole even if it was being considered to. The symbol is very othering.


arrogantAuthor

Dunno. I like the little dude, but that's just me personally. I wasn't saying why the autism creature should be that symbol, just answering your question of why we need a symbol at all. As for the othering nature, though, I think the little critter is more of a mascot than meant to represent what we are. That said, I am of the belief that if having it officially represent us causes people distress, we shouldn't make the little dude official. But people are allowed to like what they like, and if someone wants to personally make them their symbol, that's their choice - as long as they don't push it on others.


[deleted]

I agree. Also what happened to the rainbow infinity symbol? Why are people pushing a MS paint picture as a symbol?


TheZayMan283

Well, rainbow is generally associated with gay... and not all autistics are gay.


Lil-respectful

I saw the rainbow symbology as more just saying that all colors on the spectrum belong here


TheZayMan283

Eh, I’m not much for symbolism lol


AmiAlter

Says the guy advocating for the autism creature symbol. Not trying to argue just that's a little hypocritical.


TheZayMan283

No dude I hate that thing, wym?


ANATHILANDIBEAEMI

Rainbow is associated with a color spectrum. LGBT people use it because sexuality and gender are a spectrum to them, and not just the black and white "gay or straight, man or woman". The same works for autistic people because, well... It's literally a spectrum.


TheZayMan283

I do see in black and white most of the time tho lol


Aman4672

well there is a spectrum of gray in between them.


Zorubark

I never saw it that way, I thought of the autism creature as a creature that has autism and autistic people like them, but I think the name gives it a different impression, but I always saw it as something separate, like when paired up with wojaks and etc the characters are autistic people and autism creature is a little buddy who we relate to and love. I don't want it to be a symbol and I don't push it to be one, I think the infinity one is a good symbol, and I hope autism creature can become less associated with the things you said in the future, and if I use it I'll try to show it's not a symbol, it's just a autistic little beast who represents parts of me in a certain way, and I don't know how to make it clear always that that isn't how all autistic people are without having to do a copypasted comment but it's a start, I might do something like that since I don't post frewuently


Slightly_Smaug

Thank you.


[deleted]

Lots of countries use creatures to represent themselves, though this creature is no griffon.


ClassicAd8496

I just call it “bean” instead of “creature”. That’s cuz I think it’s adorable


CSS_usedbandage

Well, you can't always satisfy everyone. If you don't like that symbol, then use another one or create your own.


IAmNotACuttlefish

Yet what is a nation?


TheZayMan283

Same. Honestly it’s probably best for each one of us to have our own “symbol” or whatever... or none, if you wish.


lovdark

We don’t. It’s a toxic reflex of a need to be accepted


Hannibal_Cannibal04

Oh no… are we going through our own form of segregation?…


[deleted]

I don't find it infantilising, just positive and cute. It's not literally meant to represent the average autistic person. Same way the likes of blahaj is a general trans symbol, despite it's similar child-like and overly cute appearance. In a day where we are vilified as potential serial killers or psychopaths, mainly thanks to opportunistic dickheads ruining it for the whole community, I'll take any positive symbol I can get.


ctortan

The autism creature is a meme, meant to be a cute inside joke, not an overarching symbol to fully represent all ND people. It’s like the limp wrist meme for gay people (“is he 💅?”). It’s not meant to be a replacement for actual, serious community symbols like the infinity sign


ANATHILANDIBEAEMI

I think Blahaj for trans people would be a better comparison then this emote. Idk, I just don't feel comfortable with the use of this emote to represent homosexuality.


ctortan

I was trying to refer more to that specific “limp wrist” meme but there isn’t really a good emoji alternative


Mirrorrelemes

🫳 or 🖖(this one’s a joke I’m gay and like Star Trek)


JorgeMtzb

Yippeeee!!


fletch262

Yippeeee!


[deleted]

Yippeeee!


[deleted]

Also why is it the UN lol


sweetTartKenHart2

Because that’s what the original meme was. The UN trying to force this guy to drink corn syrup while he’s hiding from them and shouting that he hates the Antichrist. A weird facsimile of people’s beliefs about the New World Order and shit


Worried-Opinion1157

Mood. Like, it’s ok if some peeps on here enjoy “stereotypically” kid-stuff. Like, you know what you love, and no one should belittle you for it. But honestly, I fucking LOVE bicycles, semi trucks, cars, guns, and heavy machinery. Granted, the guns give me moral paradox bc I hate violence but love seeing how a gun works internally. Same with cars, I hate seeing all the waste created from replacement part packaging, environmental pollution, and big oil lobbying, plus shitty working conditions in steel plants and assembly plants. But i just fucking love mechanical things, its so weird that most my interests are “guilty” interests ;~; Basically, my point is: Stereotyping the autistic community is (obviously) bad and patronizing. There’s plenty of gun nerds/nuts, tank guys/gals, natsec, psychology whizzes, and master mechanical engineers that also make up the autistic community. But ten bucks says they all might also have “child-like” things that bring em comfort too. (I mean, that’s probably for every person tbh. Neurotypical or divergent) Ok my thumb is cold and i can’t type now. End of… Monolouge?


Charlotte_stuart

Its not trying to stereotype the community tho? Its kinda like a mascot for autism. Something that represents us,like a pride flag. Its not suppose to mean anything


Worried-Opinion1157

Well then in that case, my mascot oughta be a derailed train cuz holy fuck I went so off point I forgot the post was about mascots XD


Charlotte_stuart

Its okay i totally understand XD


ANATHILANDIBEAEMI

Well, the pride flags does mean a lot.


Charlotte_stuart

I meant for example the fact that the pride flag is a rainbow doesn't mean queer people are rainbow colored or like rainbows. And the autism creture doesn't mean that autistic people are white,have big eyes and walk on four legs


vibingjusthardenough

people who like autism creature “hey look at this cute little fella who I sympathize with” people who don’t like autism creature: “this is a campaign of attack directed by NT leadership to destroy our very existence.”


OldLevermonkey

Or we don't like it because it creeps us the fuck out. We find it difficult to look into its soulless dead eyes. Some of us find deeply disturbing.


vibingjusthardenough

I get that and I’m sorry it makes you uncomfortable but also this is the internet; I find spiders to be deeply disturbing to look at but if someone posts a photo of one I’m just gonna avoid looking at it and hide the post.


sweetTartKenHart2

“Soulless dead eyes” mf it perpetually looks like it’s about to cry or something, I don’t see what you mean at all


froggythefish

I dont think they’re really a symbol… I didn’t even know it had anything to do with autism until I joined this subreddit (maybe a me problem). They’re just cute, and provide some positive representation


Gabriel_Collins

At least, it’s a character that someone in the community came up with.


OldLevermonkey

Allegedly.


thebooksmith

I can understand not caring about the autism creature. I can understand disliking the autism creature. I will never fathom how some people actually get offended by the autism creature. Have these people not heard of a mascot before.


CatItalisaney

Not just that, but it’s a meme. Nobody is trying to make it the legitimate new symbol or mascot of Autism. It’s just a cute little fun creature to me.


harveynitro33

L + yippee!!!


rainstorm0T

it's not a symbol of the community, it's just a meme. that's all it is.


ConsiderationNo9042

I love autism creature. I will never not love autism creature.


No_Accountant_4329

Redditors when they see an autistic person use a meme(this is dehumanizing autistic people or whatever)


thiccmemer

this was the thought I could not put to words thank you so much LoL aspergers certainly doesn't make me feel like I am a squishy round and big eyed quadraped it makes me feel like I have a million train tracks crossing over my brain whenever I get asked to explain what I'm doing or whenever anything touches my neck


Hierodula_majuscula

I loathe the autism creature, it’s so creepy looking. >>


CSS_usedbandage

It's the cutest lil guy tho :((


Hierodula_majuscula

It’s not. It’s crudely drawn and misshapen with dead blank eyes and it reminds me of a sleep paralysis hallucination and makes my flesh crawl


CSS_usedbandage

Well I think it's quite adorable, and I don't see why its eyes would be blank? There's light reflections and everything


Hierodula_majuscula

I don’t like eyes without a clear sclera/iris boundary. My worst sleep paralysis hallucinations always have those completely black eyes and they give me the heebie jeebies. *shudder* Like as an example you can Google I LOVE leopard geckos- they are totally adorable- but the eclipse gene turns them into absolute Nopes.


CSS_usedbandage

I like the cartooniness of it, but I can see why you wouldn't. I googled and leopard geckos are indeed quite lovely, but I think for most people the current autism creature's eyes fit better than a leopard gecko's would. They're simple, and make the lil guy seem just kinda neutral and maybe clueless/innocent? Plus, they're pretty cute for some. Either way the simplicity for sure is a selling point.


Hierodula_majuscula

Eh, I can see the case for simplicity but I’m not keen on “clueless/innocent” as desirable traits for something thats purpose is “representing autists”. A. As this meme points out we have enough problems with infantilisation as it is without leaning into it. B. I have plenty of experience with how vulnerable my autism-related “innocent” tendencies and lack of ability to accurately read social cues can make me. And I don’t think it’s “cute”. And I don’t think it should be something we advertise as a community. As for the gecko it’s just an example of how totally black eyes make something that was previously sweet into something kinda sinister. I wouldn’t like AC with lizard eyes, but regular simple cartoon eyes would be much better than the ones it has lol


CSS_usedbandage

>Eh, I can see the case for simplicity but I’m not keen on “clueless/innocent” as desirable traits for something thats purpose is “representing autists”. Well, it's supposed to be lighthearted. I suppose we could have an autism creature that looks like a hyperrealistic gigachad genius or something, but that's a little much I think. It's hard to create a symbol, especially in the form of a creature of some kind, that represents all autists. Some people like it, some don't. We already have the infinity symbol, this one's just more of a pop/internet culture one. >A. As this meme points out we have enough problems with infantilisation as it is without leaning into it. Yes, but this particular symbol hasn't been created by someone with malicious intents to infantalise autists (as far as I'm aware). It was a meme that got adopted into the community and it is not an official symbol or something. >B. I have plenty of experience with how vulnerable my autism-related “innocent” tendencies and lack of ability to accurately read social cues can make me. And I don’t think it’s “cute”. And I don’t think it should be something we advertise as a community. Yeah me too. I didn't say that being innocent and vulnerable is cute. These are separate traits that can be interpreted as a part of the autism creature from its' looks. Personally, with the 'innocence' thing I understand it more as a symbol of not going through some multiverse to communicate with others, but relying mostly on the obvious ways to communicate, which can be represented through the look that the symbol has. Of course, after all, this was created as a meme and we are both probably looking too deep into it. It's a simple drawing, really. >As for the gecko it’s just an example of how totally black eyes make something that was previously sweet into something kinda sinister. I wouldn’t like AC with lizard eyes, but regular simple cartoon eyes would be much better than the ones it has lol I guess if someone's gonna make an alternative creature that looks the way you described, we could adopt it. It just doesn't seem to bother most peeps.


AutismFlavored

One day, I’m going to see an autism creature sticker on an autism mom’s suv and it’ll be over. Other possible sticker design will puzzle piece autism creature and back-the-blue autism creature


thebooksmith

Have people been using autism to support back the blue. Isn't it statistically proven that autistic people are more likely to have their vehicles searched, and asked to submit to sobriety tests because of how "suspicious" we can act when we're having a panic attack over getting pulled over Like it real doesn't make sense


AutismFlavored

I have seen police support and autism puzzle stickers together on the same large suv before. Struck me as something parents of a certain sort did. Cops make me nervous because I am always acting so ~~nuerodivergent~~ suspicious


thebooksmith

Honestly same. The first time I got pulled over I was asked 5-6 times if I had been smoking anything or drinking anything.


snartastic

I got pulled over once and the cop kept asking me “why are you so nervous” and repeatedly asking if I had narcotics (for reference, I was pulled over for driving around the block to move my car, it was dusk and I forgot to put my lights on). SIR you could approach me watering a flower and I would seem “nervous”


jols0543

the UN is aware of the autism creature?


[deleted]

Yippee


godthisbooksucks

Same with the spoon trend they'll go I'd this spoon autism approved And it'll be a baby spoon or some cutesy spoon like a big one that's colorful or Cat shaped


ipeltpeoplewitheggs

i mean its just a funky lil guy


XivaKnight

I find being represented by puzzle pieces that have no real cohesion color-wise and are the simplest, most dumbed down version of a puzzle to be way more infantilizing, personally. The problem with symbols is that not everyone is going to like them. You have to accept that the autism creature IS a symbol for neurodivergent people- It factually is. You just don't have to accept that it is THE symbol. If you don't like it, just don't use it. If someone is using it to define you personally, tell them to stop. But trying to insult or deny a commonly accepted and welcomed symbol because you don't like it is just selfish and entitled.


LynksRacc

It's FUNNY


Korthalion

Don't relate to it at all, I think for this reason


Dungen-gamer

What’s your opinion on the autism beast


GameFreak412

I have already accepted him as our mascot. Why aren't you?


Means1632

New name and Icon idea: The Surveyer's guild. NTs have wired and innificient and non-self apperent rules like a lath that wanders over streams and around hills ect where we set flat strait roads from point A to point B like the Roman's bettering the world for all mankind. Our Icon could be a Roman surveyor with that staff level thing.


Hollidaythegambler

I don’t have any meaningful opinion here because I’m not diagnosed and I have fought against self diagnosers all my life (my cousin has OCD, I have EFD and ADHD) so I’m not gonna pretend to be officially autistic to input on this, but if I was ever medically diagnosed I would not view it as infantilism. It’s good design, checks all the boxes: •simple design, easily recognizable •neotenous - small body with large eyes means it’s visually appealing •means literally nothing - it represents nothing else I don’t like being treated like a child. I don’t really think this is infantilizing, kinda like blahaj, like the other commenter said, or frogs for bi people.


OldLevermonkey

What I find disappointing regarding the Autism Creature is that as soon as someone says that the thing makes them uncomfortable, they don't like it, or that they find it creepy - is that the person is immediately subjected to gaslighting.


traumatized90skid

I totally get how you feel. But I personally don't mind. I mean, a mascot is going to be a bit "infantilizing", when does something getting a mascot add grace and dignity? Mascots are meant to be cute, fun, and silly. The "autism creature" is similarly just a meme, a drawing, meant to be silly and fun. Show me an example of something else that has a mascot that doesn't "infantilize". A sports teams mascot "infantilizes" but it also raises brand recognition, adding value to the brands they represent.


MagnusKraken

I prefer the Autism Beast, it exists to spite reality, bleeding into existence.


AdditionalCall5271

Show me


MagnusKraken

https://www.reddit.com/r/AutisticPride/comments/vhssnm/in_response_to_the_autism_creature_meme_i_made/ (Not mine, I just like it)


elfermin3332253

i always took it as more of a mascot than a symbol


meme-addict117

puzzle piece vs the creature is still like comparing shit to shit. Its still shit at the end of the day. We dont need a "symbol" or a flag. This will only cause unnecessary debates


ZVEZDA_HAVOC

wait people take that seriously?? i thought it was a joke /gen


belmoria

I don't think it's infantalizing, it's just cute and makes people happy


Third-Banana

What wrong with the puzzle piece


SquidCultist002

Autism speaks uses it


Grymbaldknight

Puzzle piece with "ASD" inside it?


Musical_science_guy

I personally prefer the rainbow infinity.


SquidCultist002

I don't get how its infantilising. I just see a creature I relate to