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Infinity symbols are popular in graphic design for good reason. In this post, I'm gonna describe ways to vary up the designs of infinity symbols. My goal is to educate fellow neurodivergent people on how to make infinity symbols that don't look like the Métis flag.

The neurodiversity community has been using rainbow infinity symbols since 2005. Here are neurodiversity flags from 2013, 2016, and 2019:

However, there's a problem with some of the new flag designs for a flag that is autism-specific. Here are some of the contenders:

These use a solid white infinity symbol. The solid white infinity curve is a symbol of Métis. Their first flag, from 1815, has a white lemniscate on red background. Nowadays they use the blue version more often. And to the right is their queer pride flag:

For those unfamiliar, the Métis are one of the major Indigenous groups in what is now Canada, with most of their >600,000 population in the western and central parts of the country. The word métis means half-breed in French; lower-case m métis refers to those with mixed Indigenous and European ancestry. Capital-M Métis refers to the specific culture of métis that emerged, distinct from both Indigenous and settler cultures, and speaking hybrid languages such as Michif.

This has been brought up a bunch of times. While I can believe the autistic flag makers didn't know about the issue when making their designs, I know at least one of them was promptly informed of the issue and dismissed it.

The autistic community writ large has been pretty dismissive about this issue. I wonder if some of the defensiveness comes from not seeing an alternative - thinking that infinity symbol design is all or nothing.

I have some good news: it's possible to make infinity symbols that don't look Métis!

HOW INFINITY SYMBOLS VARY (PART ONE)

ASPECT A: TOPOLOGY

The first way we can categorize infinity symbols is their topology. These four varieties are most common

Topology 1: Open infinity symbol - this is the oldest style of using a figure-8 shape to represent the mathematical concept of infinity. On the left is the version Euler used.

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Topology 2: Lemniscate - a closed curve. On the left is the Metis symbol but in black. The curve is one solid entity: notice how the rainbow gradient on the right fills the whole thing.

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Topology 3: Infinity *loop* -  imagine you take a hair tie or rubber band and twist it. One part of the infinity loop is clearly in front, with another part clearly behind it. Loops are well established for neurodiversity and I think we should stick to using these.

Notice in the left example how the pattern flips between left and right. Also compare the rainbow gradient on the right to the lemniscate rainbow gradient above it. -

Topology 4: Infinity *ribbon* -  instead of a hair tie, use a ribbon. Ribbons have sides, producing an infinity loop that shows two sides.

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ASPECT B: THICKNESS

Line width can vary, which also helps to convey a loop! Again, I think we should be sticking to infinity loops when it comes to autistic/ND designs.

Option 1: Constant Thickness The lemniscate on the Metis flag has a constant line width, as does this neurodiversity rainbow gradient from 2016. I think we should avoid constant thickness.

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Option 2: Variable Thickness A variable thickness can help to reinforce that an infinity symbol is a loop rather than a solid lemniscate. There are a lot of ways to play with line thickness!

Many neurodiversity infinities are variable thickness and I think we should opt for this to steer clear of Metis territory.

THIS WILL BE CONTINUED IN A SECOND POST (tumblr has a limit of 30 images per post)

But just in case the second post gets lost in reblogs: I think variable thickness, combined with a loop topology, is what we should be using for neurodiversity & autism. E.g.

HOW INFINITY SYMBOLS VARY (PART TWO)

ASPECT C: ASPECT RATIO

The ratio of height to width is another thing we can change up to make our infinity symbols distinct. The Métis lemniscate, on the left, is fairly elongated. On the right is a very compact infinity symbol. The 2013 neurodiversity rainbow gradient occupies a middle ground:

- ASPECT D: COLOUR FILL

How we colour in the infinity symbol has a big effect on how much it does or doesn't look like the Métis flag. Option 1: Solid colour fill The Métis use a solid white fill; I think this should be absolutely avoided. If you must use a solid fill, don't use white. Gold is popular for autism because Au = Gold, and I think designers should be careful and mindful if they are set on using a solid yellow fill.

- Option 2: Segmenting the curve for colouring This is already common in neurodiversity symbols. Segments can stay distinct or be blended into a gradient:

- Option 3: Following the curve for colouring This gets used for neurodiversity also, but I haven't seen it as much. I think it's another solid option for differentiating from the Metis flag.

- Option 4: Colouring horizontally or vertically This also happens for neurodiversity. Here the segmentation is vertical bars, diagonal, or horizontal bands, or a gradient thereof:

ASPECT E: BORDERS

The Métis flag has no borders. In the middle I have an example of a thin border; on the right is a thick border.

I think we should generally aim to have borders on our infinity symbols. Using a border that is the same colour as the background results in a sort of semi-open infinity symbol effect, and is an option if you're trying to reduce the number of colours on a design. -

ASPECT F: BACKGROUND

Option 1: Solid colour background I think this should be avoided entirely. Solid blue and solid red are unambiguously Metis. Other solid primary colours like green may look too like the Metis flag. Solid yellow should also be avoided for similarity to the intersex autistic (middle) and intersex neurodivergent flags (right).

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Option 2: Solid white or black background Solid white is well established as a neurodiversity flag palatte, but autistic flags have been trying other things out. I think we should stick to solid white for neurodiversity. The white background with a rainbow symbol helps to reinforce the meaning of infinite diversity!

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Option 3: A background with stripes or other designs A bunch of designs already try out putting the infinity symbol on or near some stripes. These are all proposed autistic flags; the bottom left is my bandaid fix of an existing autistic flag. The bottom right is another design of mine, using the Disability Pride Flag as a motif.

While we should stick to a white background for neurodiversity, I'm agnostic on whether an autism-specific flag should have a white background or not.

SUMMARY

Infinity symbols can vary in lots of ways, and through design decisions we can make infinity symbols for neurodiversity & autism that won't be mistaken for the Métis flag.

RECOMMENDATIONS

I recommend that neurodiversity infinity symbols: 1. Always be an infinity *loop* rather than a solid lemniscate curve. 2. Use design elements like variable thickness, borders, and colouring, to make it unambiguously a loop rather than solid curve. 3. Never use solid white for colouring; use at least two colours (e.g. solid fill and a border) and ideally a rainbow (e.g. segments, gradient).

4. Flags for neurodiversity in general should stick to solid white for a background.

5. Flags for autism should never have a background that is a solid primary colour. Red and blue are Métis associated, and yellow is used for variations on the intersex flag. I think it is very doable to make autism & neurodiversity designs that do not infringe upon Métis cultural symbols! There are so many ways to make infinity symbols that are visually distinct.

I implore upon my fellow autistics to be mindful in which infinity symbols they create, use, and share. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. 💛

PT: Verbal Stance And Disability Pride Flags /end PT

Nonverbal

PT: Nonverbal /end PT

Nonverbal: extremely severely to profoundly struggling to verbalise intelligibly and effectively, total or nearly total inability to use verbalization to communicate reliably, inability to verbalise more than a few utterances, words, part of phrases, etc. Having nearly only non communicational, irrelevant or incomprehensible speech. Might entirely rely on AAC.

Original nonverbal flag by @pupyzu. Original post here (link).

Semiverbal

PT: Semiverbal /end PT

Semiverbal: moderately to severely struggling to or being hardly able to functionally verbalise most to all of the time. This includes frequently or consistently: taking awhile to formulate verbalisation, having a restricted, limited verbalisation, etc. Only verbalising in specific circumstances, familiar situations, about familiar topics or for specific purposes, etc. Being mostly/fully able to verbalise but struggling significantly to do so, etc. Having shortened, partial, repetitive, misplaced, forgotten, garbled, incorrect, mashed-up, inintelligible, made-up verbalisation, etc. Might predominately to drastically rely on AAC.

Original semiverbal flag by @pupyzu. Original post here (link).

Hemiverbalflux

PT: Hemiverbalflux /end PT

Hemiverbalflux: variably struggling to verbalise, from mildly, moderately to severely. Verbalization fluctuating in intensity but always within the borders of semiverbal and demiverbal. Struggles with verbalization vary in intensity, sometimes severe, unable to form coherent verbalization or to verbalise without extreme difficulty for weeks to sometimes mild, able to verbalise well, reliably for a few days, etc. Verbalization loss vary in length, frequency, sometimes being a few times a month or week, to every day. Lasting for a few minutes or hours, to days, happening often or over long periods. Fluctuations can be random or have causes. Hemiverbal can also be used on its own as a separate term to mean bordering/being somewhere between semiverbal and demiverbal. Might regularly to mostly rely on AAC.

Original hemiverbalflux term and flag by @jet-voidrock. Original post here (link).

Demiverbal

PT: Demiverbal /end PT

Demiverbal: mildly struggling to verbalise, half of the time, most of the time, to all of the time. Verbalization loss might happen anywhere from a multiple times a day, to a few times a month. Possibly for no apparent reason, a mix of reasons or a variety of reasons. May experience slight difficulty only a little of the time, half of the time, to all of the time with speaking, articulating, complex language usage, forming concepts, etc. Might mildly to regularly rely on AAC.

Original demiverbal flag by @lilqu33rboi. Original post here (link).

Verbalflux

PT: Verbalflux /end PT

Verbalflux: variably struggling to verbalise. Being able to verbalise, fluctuating at any intensity, difficulty, length, frequency and at any given time. Struggles and inability to use verbalization vary in intensity, length and frequency. Fluctuations can be random or have causes and can happen often or over long periods of time. Might periodically rely on AAC.

Original verbalflux flag by @pupyzu. Original post here (link).

Choiceverbal

PT: Choiceverbal /end PT

Choiceverbal: willingly not using verbalization, being able to verbalise (fullverbal, demiverbal, semiverbal, majorityverbal...), but choosing not to verbalise much or at all. Can be for any reason, including but not limited to: Being uncomfortable or disliking verbalising, being verbal-adverse, lack of understanding of social cues, etc. Might partially or entirely use intentionally AAC.

Term coined by @schizophrenicbulbasaur in this post (link). Original choiceverbal flag by @lilqu33rboi. Original post here (link).

Fullverbal

PT: Fullverbal /end PT

Fullverbal: being fully able to verbalise fluently and effectively, across a wide range of contexts. Having the ability to construct complete, grammatically correct verbalization, engage in complex conversations about various topics, etc. Demonstrating good control over vocabulary, tone, speech, pace and conversational nuances, permitting to express a broad spectrum of thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Might hardly ever rely on AAC.

Original verbal flag by @pupyzu. Original post here (link).

Hyperverbal

PT: Hyperverbal /end PT

Hyperverbal: being fully able to verbalise and, whether by choice or on accident, exhibiting an excessive or unusually high level of verbalization. Verbalising at length and with great detail about various topics, often dominating conversations. This can include rapid verbalization, above average verbal capacities, advanced vocabulary, logorrhea, frequent interruptions, an overwhelming amount of information shared, etc. Might have the ability to engage in discussions on multiple subjects, but communication can sometimes be overwhelming for others and may lack focus or relevance to the ongoing conversation. Might hardly ever rely on AAC.

Original hyperverbal flag by @pupyzu. Original post here (link).

Additional Informations

PT: Additional Informations /end PT

Verbal stances are descriptive of everyday reality, they shouldn't be used to describe verbality during brief, unusual circumstances (ex: short-lived shutdown, panic attack, aphasia, etc). Refering a small verbal loss episode as going nonverbal, refering a transient aphasia as going semiverbal, and similar misusage, is improper and incorrect. Verbality can change during a lifetime for a lot of reasons but is qualifying long-term, long lasting verbality. If verbalization fluctuates a lot, verbalflux might be used.

Plenty of terms can be used to refer to shutdowns and similar experiences. Losing words, losing speech, speech loss, speech loss episode, verbal shutdown, verbal crash...

Selective/situational mutism is often used interchangeably with shutdown, which is an incorrect usage. SM is a diagnosable anxiety disorder which causes the person an inability to speak in specific social situations, specific places, or to specific people if a certain condition is triggered.

I've made the definitions by combining multiple definitions I've seen over internet since I struggle to formulate working on my own. They aren't carved in stone, just an attempt to define those. Even though AAC usage and verbality usually coincide, it's not always the case, ence why I've putted 'might' use AAC.

It's also important to take into account that only communicative intelligible verbalisation have to be taken into account. Someone who constantly produces speech would be nonverbal if their speech isn't communicative or intelligible. For example, too fast to be comprehensible.

Most people don't make the distinction between -verbal and -speaking stances while some might make a distinction. In that particular case, -verbal would describe language ability, while -speaking would describe speech abiliy. For example, nonverbal would mean not having language whereas nonspeaking would refer to the inability to use speech to communicate. Considering that an overwhelming majority of people don't make distinctions and that terms exist to describe the verbality components distinctively, I've chosen not to do such distinctions in this post and use the broad term of verbality.

Descriptives of verbality components:

-lexic refers to the ability to use, comprehend, process language (link), while -speaking refers to the usage of speech and -vocal refers to a system's headmate verbality (link), whereas -scribal refer to the ability to produce written or typed language, whilst -communicative refers to the ability to communicate.

It's up to the individual (or close relatives when the individual isn't able to do that by themselves) to choose how they wish to identify, according to their preferences, what fits the best, what is more practical, etc. It is a personal preference.

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Wrath is not being angry at someone when they harm you, or wanting truly evil people to be laid low. The sin of wrath is murder, racism, xenophobia.

Gluttony is not enjoying eating, even when you are full, or feasting with friends in celebration even to excess. The sin of gluttony is taking when others have nothing, eating while others starve, consuming while others waste away.

Over 90% of parents of visibly intersex children opt for cosmetic surgery on their infants.

The ones that don't experience medical violence then, likely experience it as a teenager.

I didn't.

I am very rare in that I did not experience medical violence.

Why? Because I learned what intersexuality was as a young age, and I actively fought against what doctors wanted to do to me. All the way down to legal research on what medical care minors can be forced into. I remember walking into that doctor's appointment with the state law written down that proved that if I did not consent they could not do surgery.

Edited to add: Since a lot of people are reblogging this original post, I'm adding the updated version I did that incorporates the intersex circle...