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Queen Elsa has autism. It wasn’t until I was actually reading the book to my children that I put all the pieces together – even though I have, just as most parents, watched the movie ‘Frozen’ more times than I care to remember.

The words on the page leaped out at me. When I read that Anna and Elsa’s “parents worried that people would fear Elsa’s powers”. To keep her gift a secret, they surrounded the castle with walls and never let anyone inside. But whenever Elsa had strong feelings, the magic still spilled out. It all made perfect sense to me.

I can completely relate to the girl’s parents. In fact this is exactly what I have done. Sure I may not have built any walls surrounding our home, simply due to council regulations, however I have successfully shut out all of my beautiful friends, for many, many, years in order to keep my children’s gift a secret.

All the signs were there. I am just so surprised that I didn’t pick up on it sooner.

Every case of autism is different, with different levels of severity as well as different characteristics being displayed in the individual.

I dare say that the power Elsa possessed to be able to make snow and ice with just her hands was symbolic of her severe ‘melt downs’.

It should be noted that I have no medical qualifications and I can’t actually diagnose autism. I am a mother, and I do possess a small degree of first hand experience with autism however and I have an idea of how wondrous it is.

Of course I know how outrageous and far-fetched my hypothesis might sound, and that Queen Elsa does not even really exist. However autism does. And occasionally, when I am feeling a little out of sorts, I wish that autism didn’t really exist either so that perhaps I could hear my beautiful little boy say something. Or even just hear his precious little voice calling me “Mummy”. Something, which I haven’t heard in over five years.

Disney’s movie ‘Frozen’ is brilliant on a great number of levels. It has captivated both the young and old. It’s even taught children that they can save themselves, they can be their own heroes and they don’t need to rely on anyone to rescue them.

The message of strength and hope resides with me in a very different way though. It makes me believe that maybe one day my firstborn who is incredibly brave yet extremely private and my second born who is unbelievably strong yet won’t utter a single word, could possibly “let it go” and gain control over their magic.

Even if they never do, nothing changes between us. We will always be able to communicate with one another without ever needing to speak a single word.

My children’s powers are astounding, and there is nothing to fear about their magic. Perhaps I only keep them hidden so that I don’t have to share them with the world.

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  • Very clever comments – I just thought it was a harmless children’s movie by Disney. These days so many really clever children have Asperger’s which is a form of Autism, so you are probably right.

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  • I have honestly never read that much into kids movies or thought of them containing hidden meanings. I just want to enjoy them for face value :)
    Very interesting take on it though.

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  • I think she actually had depression


    • It actually triggered depression in my husband. When I googled depression and the Frozen movie, many people had experienced the same thing.
      People feeling they had to hide it (conceal, don’t feel) and avoid stigma (don’t let them know). Feeling isolated etc

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  • wow what a way to view it, totally get where your coming from, disney movies and/or stories are good at teaching parents things too.

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  • Interesting take on story and I like that either way it’s positive.

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  • This is very heartwarming stuff. A very honest read!

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  • I am in awe of what some people can read into the simplest of things. I realise this article could be a bit tongue in cheek, it would have to be fir her to see autism in Elsac:/

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  • Interesting left field take on this kids classic.

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  • What a strong mumma you sound to be!! I must admit, now reading your article, I actually tend to agree with you regarding Elsa… What a different way to look at it =) It is great reading articles such as yours and seeing things in a different perspective! Thanks for sharing your insight!!

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  • Never thought of it like that – certainly an interesting view. We like the positive messages in this movie as well.

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  • I never thought about Frozen in this sense, but you’re right it’s a really positive movie and message for children.

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  • it is healthy to find ways to deal with what life has given you. i wish that you will get to hear that precious “mummy” one day soon.

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  • Well, that’s certainly one way to interpret it.

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  • inspiring article.

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  • Interesting read – I haven’t related the key character of this movie with autism until now.

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