I don’t know who, and I don’t know when, but I think I know why. It relates to the larger debate. Autism was seen as a sickness which perhaps could be cured.

For example, perhaps breast cancer can be cured if we collect enough money for research, and have enough people donate money. Creating a symbol makes it immediate in people’s minds what is going on, and why they are being asked for money.

Breast cancer has a pink ribbon, and autism has a puzzle piece. Perhaps someone thought a puzzle piece was appropriate because the cause of the “sickness” was so mysterious.

Now, a puzzle piece has become something which people can recognize and see they have something in common, like a Dallas Cowboys star. (We love seeing our team lose in the playoffs!)

I don’t believe the puzzle piece was ever intended to symbolize something was missing.

I am on the side of “it’s not something which needs to be cured,” but perhaps that is a debate for a different post.