On puzzle pieces and autism

At first reading I was a little confused by the paper published by Morton Ann Gernsbacher and colleagues [1] talking about how puzzle pieces used as part of various organisations insignia concerned with autism might stir up the wrong kind of sentiments about the diagnosis. Confused because, with all the pressing needs related to autism research and practice - diagnosis, services, comorbidities, quality of life, happiness! - it seemed a little trivial to publish a research paper on what symbols an organisation might wish to choose and their subsequent connotations.

With a little more thought, my opinion of this research softened slightly as I can see how there might be some important psychological forces at work based on the imagery used to represent autism. Indeed, the puzzle piece and autism has been the topic of quite a few discussions in various quarters (see here) reflective of how some views and opinions about autism have changed down the years.

On this particular research occasion authors questioned some 400 people about the associations the general public might make regarding the use of the puzzle piece in the context of autism. They concluded that: "Puzzle pieces, both those used as autism logos and those used more generically, evoked negative implicit associations... and negative explicit associations" onward to associations with words like "incompleteness, imperfection, and oddity." Authors even concluded that: "If an organization's intention for using puzzle-piece imagery is to evoke negative associations, our results suggest the organization's use of puzzle-piece imagery is apt." Whoa. Where did that come from I wonder?

I've kinda approached this topic before on this blog in the context of how associations between organisations here in Blighty and brands such as Thomas the Tank Engine might have similar connotations when it comes to the perception of autism (see here). I suppose one could equally suggest that whilst something like Thomas the Tank Engine is enjoyed by many children on the autism spectrum (as well as many children not on the autism spectrum!) there is always a risk that it might feed into a stereotype. In the case of trains, one can see the old 'systemising' link coming through and onward the shadow of the 'extreme male brain' thingy-majig that has, I think, been rather overplayed in the context of autism (see here). Indeed, with the classical association between trains and boys ('boys and their toys') one might be inclined to ask what such an association might mean for the the perception of the presentation of autism in females for example? And onward what imagery/association would be most appropriate in the context of female autism minus any sweeping generalisations?

Of course, one can find meaning in any imagery used in the context of any organisation linked to a specific diagnosis or condition. At least some opinions on this topic are likely also to reflect specific viewpoints about the organisation in question as per the MSSNG project funded by Autism Speaks (who coincidentally use a puzzle piece in their logo) and how that has been interpreted in some quarters. I do think we have to be quite careful in this area not to slide from one extreme to another in relation to how wide the autism spectrum is and indeed, ensuring representation of the entire autism spectrum when it comes to public perceptions (see here). I have one suggestion: with all the creative talent out there on the autism spectrum, perhaps organisations linked to autism should ask their members with autism to help design new logos...

To close, some artwork from a rather talented chap who might be able to help.

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[1] Gernsbacher MA. et al. Do puzzle pieces and autism puzzle piece logos evoke negative associations? Autism. 2017 Aug 1:1362361317727125.

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Thomas the Tank Engine and autism

'They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight, shunting trucks and hauling freight'. Ask a person in the average UK  (or other) street what these words mean and, assuming they haven't got children, most won't have a clue. Ask a parent with young(ish) children and you might get an altogether different response.

When thinking about autism spectrum conditions and their representation in the media and popular press, there are a few 'symbols' which come to mind. Most people would be familiar with the 'jisgaw piece' [previously] used by organisations like the National Autistic Society (NAS) and Autism Speaks. I assume the jigsaw piece is meant to represent... well, I don't know what it is meant to represent to tell you the truth. Autism as a puzzle, an enigma? The jigsaw of life? Some might say it may be representative of 'not fitting it'. I don't offer any opinion either way but assume that your interpretation will depend on your perception, experience, politics and viewpoint.

One of the other, more enduring symbols of autism, at least here in the UK, is that childhood favourite Thomas the Tank Engine. The NAS have entered into a bit of a partnership with the makers of Thomas over the past few years selling various Thomas things including pins and cards in aid of the NAS. Because I am not sure if everyone knows about Thomas, let me enlighten you. Thomas is a train with a face on the front of the engine. You can see a picture of him and his many friends here (alas, there is no Paul engine). His various adventures have been translated from the books by the Rev. Wilbert Awdry, who coincidental would have celebrated his 100th birthday in the next few days, to a very successful children's TV series.. two versions of it in fact. Thomas also famously courted the attention of a Beatle.

Just so you know Thomas and his friends are a very popular, well-loved series here in the UK and perhaps further afield across many different groups not just those children with autism or other developmental diagnoses. It is with autism in mind, that Thomas and his friends have perhaps found their biggest fan base; the question is why?

I will state for the record that I am not trying to provide any definitive answer as to why Thomas and friends are so popular. Every child (autistic or not) has their own little 'obsessions' as part of growing up; fads which change according to what they see, watch, read, are exposed to; and also fads because of what other people (peers) see, watch read and are exposed to. Lisa Jo Rudy over at autism.about discussed Thomas and autism a while back as did the NAS following their research into the subject.

The collective findings suggest that there are quite a few reasons why children with autism seem to have such an affinity to Thomas including:

• The clear storylines; something goes wrong in every episodes but is put right in the end.
• The friendly faces on the engines with exaggerated responses used to denote happy, sad, angry, etc.
• Thomas is a train, and quite a few children with autism like things like trains (mechanical, predictable, lots of lines, wheels, etc).

There are a few patterns emerging from these and the other reasons put forward for liking Thomas. 'Predictability' is probably one of the biggest themes; a bit like watching an episode of that 1980s classic 'the A-Team' and their 'we'll get captured and locked in a shed with lots of tools to make a tank' routine coupled with being the only soldiers of fortune who don't actually shoot anyone despite using automatic weapons every week! Ah yes, predictability at its 1980s best.

Whilst I can't say for sure on the new Thomas series, the old series apparently never showed the mouths of the engine faces move when speaking for one reason or another. Given the various research on face processing in autism, I wonder if perhaps this might also be a key point in how relaxing Thomas and friends come across and the issue of cross-modal parallel processing (as described by this study). On this topic, and without getting 'too psychological', I wonder if the Disney Cars for example, might show a similar or different response to children with autism given their very pronounced facial movements including the mouth (teeth and tongue) when talking?

Whatever the reason, the popularity of Thomas and friends has been sort of exploited from a therapeutic perspective to autism in the series 'The Transporters' and evaluated experimentally in areas of emotion recognition.

If only all TV could be so educational...