Whether you’ve gotten inked or not, it’s easy to appreciate the variety of reasons people get tattoos. Some people decide to get a tattoo to commemorate the life of a loved one who has passed, even sometimes inking something in their handwriting, while others get them to commemorate a special time in their lives. Some people just get tattoos for no other reason than the fact that they can be an artistic outlet and look really awesome.
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Body art can also be a way to bring awareness and attention to causes that matter to them — for example, there is a whole community of people who choose to get tattoos bringing awareness and celebrating loved ones who are autistic. The autism community is a diverse and strong one and that diversity and colorfulness is reflected in the ink.
Keep scrolling for some of the brightest, most meaningful autism tattoos, to bring you both inspiration and awareness about the different ways autism can show up and affect people’s lives. No matter how big or how small, there’s a story behind every single one of these autism tattoos — whether it’s a deeply personal meaning, a special symbol of a beloved child, or a fun little reminder of a special person.
Tiny reminder
Image Credit: Shelley Donaldson/Facebook "I'm a teacher of students with autism. I got this to honor and remind me of how amazing they all are. I've always loved the saying, and the idea of the puzzle piece balances out the design. I got a blue puzzle piece as most students I teach are boys, and the red heart for the girls (and the fact they all have a special place in my heart)!" — Shelley Donaldson
“We all fit somewhere”
Image Credit: Christy Hartley LaRue/Facebook "My husband's tattoo [is] on the top picture and mine [is] on the bottom. Both are for our 5-year-old son, Gambit. He chose Emmett holding a puzzle piece because playing with LEGOs is one of their favorite things to do together. I chose mine for an emotional reason. I know no matter what happens in his life, my son will find his place in this world because 'we all fit somewhere.'" — Christy Hartley LaRue
Under the sea
Image Credit: Julie Andreoni/Pinterest "This is my autism tattoo to honor my two children. I wanted something unique that not only represented autism, but who we are as a family. They are represented as two seahorses in their favorite colors. Seahorses look so fragile, but they are tough little survivors. They use their tails to wrap around seaweed or pieces of coral. This is their way of anchoring themselves so they don't get lost in the strong ocean currents. The mermaid is me, protecting them with a trident. The mermaid's tail is made of puzzle pieces (the symbol for autism). I chose a mermaid because sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in this life, but we have slowly learned to adapt. We face every wave that is thrown at us together. I have learned to see the beauty in this vast ocean of a world called autism. And guess what? We're still swimming." — Julie Marie Andreoni
The perfect note
Image Credit: @guttabanks/Instagram Gutta Banks, a tattoo artist at Ink Couture in NYC, custom designed this tattoo for a man who wanted to celebrate his younger brother with autism.
Crystalized twist
Image Credit: @jamie_adair/Instagram This pretty design was drawn by Jamie Adair at Crossroads Tattoo Studio. "She wanted something a bit different and something that would stand out, a twist on autism colors instead of just doing the jigsaw piece," Adair said.
Love you to pieces
Image Credit: Kylee Thornton/Facebook "I had it done for my 6-year-old son, John Benjamin. I wanted to get it so he and I could see it every day and be reminded how far we've come. He wrote the words underneath. The tattoo artist picked to put purple in the middle, because people with autism are so brave. It's my favorite of all my tattoos." — Kylee Thornton
Breaking through time
Image Credit: @dynamotattoos/Instagram The hourglass was designed by a Dynamo Tattoos artist to represent the client's mother and son and raise awareness for autism.
Splash of color
Image Credit: @redick_tasha/Instagram Tasha Redick got this tattoo in honor of her two friends with autistic children. "It gives me an open opportunity to tell people that it's for autism, and maybe tell them a few things about it, or tell them about Aiden, Jacob and their families as well as the struggles that they go through on a day-to-day basis," she said.
Beating heart
Image Credit: AaronandHeidi Moore/Facebook "I got my tattoo for my son. The heartbeat line is his actual heartbeat from when I was in labor with him. I chose the random colors and splashing because to me that is autism, unique and beautiful." — Heidi Moore
Superhero
Image Credit: @pumpernickle_malasky/Instagram This Batman piece was drawn by Dane Donker for a father with an autistic son. It stands for strength and represents that the son is a superhero in his life.
One of a kind
Image Credit: Angela Olson/Facebook "I got this for my 3-year-old son, who was diagnosed with non-verbal autism. I wanted something original, so Jay worked with me until he got it right! This is a one-of-a-kind work of art." — Angela Olson
Classic
Image Credit: @jasonponce15/Instagram This classic puzzle piece design was drawn by Jason Ponce at 5th Element Tattoo in Nashville, Tennessee.
Watercolor butterfly
Image Credit: @Xavier000xx/Instagram Xavier Alvarez from Sins & Needles Tattoo Shop designed this piece at the Philadelphia Tattoo Convention in 2016. The client was wearing a T-shirt with the logo.
Beautiful journey
Image Credit: Claire Pritchard/Facebook "Autism awareness tattoo for my son Benjamin, who is 8 and has Asperger's. The butterfly is to signify that something beautiful comes from a long journey and huge fight to get him the help he needs — we are very pro-Asperger's — my au-some little dude." — Claire Pritchard
Passion piece
Image Credit: Ninny Mundt Ryan/Facebook "This tattoo is a representation of some of the things my ASD son is passionate about." — Ninny Mundt Ryan
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Image Credit: Vanessa Perez/Facebook "I got my autism tattoo for my 11-year-old daughter, Lily, and my 3-year-old son, Ethan. Both diagnosed with autism at 3 years old. My daughter first began to speak when quoting It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. [Charlie Brown] was also one of her first obsessions! Now, my son also has the same fascination with him, and he is currently non-verbal. So, we are hoping Charlie Brown will inspire him to bring out his words too. It represents a big accomplishment for my daughter and the excitement my husband and I felt to hear her speak. And in sentences! Charlie Brown is a huge part of this autism family." — Vanessa Perez
Personalized puzzle
Image Credit: Diana Gatrell Anderson/Facebook "My first tattoo done for my son, Carson (his initials are in the puzzle piece). Both my tats are autism-related, and my third will be done in April." — Diana Gatrell Anderson
Stick figure
Image Credit: Andrew Millar/Facebook "I have two boys on the spectrum. This was drawn by my oldest for him and his brother. The figure is based on something he made his mom in welding class. The initials are for my two boys." — Andrew Millar
Hidden treasure
Image Credit: Jodii Ruggero/Facebook "I got this piece for my youngest nephew. I chose a babushka to represent that once you find your way in, these kids have lots of personalities and abilities hiding inside." — Jodii Ruggero
Keychain love
Image Credit: @uglyducklingsendlessink/Instagram This unique tattoo was drawn by Brennon W-cat Ugly Ducklings Endless Ink for a woman who has two kids with autism. “She wanted the love to look like a keychain, kind of. The colors are her kids’ favorite colors,” he said.
Flying free
Image Credit: @psucourtnee/Instagram "My 6-year-old son has autism. He and I both like birds, and I have several other tree and bird tattoos. So this, to me, was the logical choice to incorporate him into my body art! My cousin also has this autism tattoo… We got our tattoos together last spring as part of the Ink for Autism Awareness." — Courtney Stocker-Coulter
Up, up and away
Image Credit: @longhairdontcaree/Instagram "So this mom, 52, came to me with this idea of a tattoo for her son who has autism… She sat like a champ through the whole thing." — Eric
All things trains
Image Credit: Ali Thomas/Facebook "I got my tattoo when my son was officially diagnosed. For several years, we struggled to understand him. From an early age, his passion has been Thomas the Tank [Engine], and all things trains. My tattoo is on my forearm where everyone can see it and ask about it. It's an opportunity to educate as much as a dedication to my son." — Ali Thomas
Out of the shell
Image Credit: Amy Trinnier-Cartwright/Facebook "My nephew, Brandton, drew him (the turtle) for me. He has autism and it was for my sons John, who was mild, and Chance, who is severe autism." — Amy Trinnier-Cartwright
Mom and Dad
Image Credit: Kathy Watson Stapp/Facebook "These are the tattoos my husband and I got for our son, Robert, who is high-functioning autistic. He was diagnosed at age 5, but we knew from about age 2 that there was 'something' about him that was different. He is 19, almost 20 he likes to say, and extremely independent. My husband wanted just a basic puzzle piece, and Robert picked the color blue; and for mine, I wanted a heart, but offered to get a train engine, since that is one of his passions. He said, 'No, a heart is cool.' Our experience with autism has been a puzzle where he tells us what he wants to do, or where he wants to go, and we help him get the skills and understanding to accomplish those things. It hasn't been easy or without stress and strife, but seeing him grow into a man who will make his own decisions and guide his own life is definitely a great reward." — Kathy Watson Stapp
Deep in thought
Image Credit: @inkbynature/Instagram Ben Lambert at Lark Tattoo drew this tattoo for an Albany firefighter who has a child with autism.
Colorful creature
Image Credit: @brandenmartintattoos/Instagram Branden Martin from Queen City drew this design for a mother whose son is autistic and likes giraffes.
Surrounded by love
Image Credit: @donnainwonderland/Instagram Donna Bygate at Adrenalin Tattoos custom designed this tattoo as a tribute to her son. "From a small age, he used to make a heart shape with his hands and point it towards me to say he loves me. He doesn't do it as much now, but it's always been a special thing between me and my special boy," she said.
After the storm
Image Credit: @bluamaranth/Instagram Tony Davis from Queen Anne's Revenge Tattoos designed this unique piece for a mom who described raising a child with autism to be like a tornado, because it turns your world upside down. "I came up with this design to give the feel that despite the tornado that there's also a sun after the storm," Davis said.
Staying grounded
Image Credit: @rupintart_com/Instagram Pallis Rupinta from All Aces Tattoo designed this piece for a client who wanted to represent both her autistic son and nephew. He said the balloons symbolize that the children's heads are always in the sky and elevate each other, while the guidance of the elephant reminds them to stay grounded.
Hand-drawn details
Image Credit: Gillian MacKenzie/Facebook "Mine is for my son, Luke. I wanted to do something other than the traditional puzzle piece. So when I came across this drawing Luke did of us when he was 3 and this Shel Silverstein poem a few days later, it clicked. I thought the phrase described autism better than anything I've ever read." — Gillian MacKenzie
Abstract art
Image Credit: @autumnewhitney/Instagram "I got the tattoo for my younger brother who has autism. The rose with the fallen petals and puzzle piece were redesigned from an image I drew. The abstract design symbolizes just how abstract autism can be." — Autumn Whitney
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