A different aspect on Disney's Frozen

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.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

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40 Comments

- - mom101628 said
  - 05 Jan 2017
    9:46 pm
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.

- - Mummytoabeautifulprincess said
  - 09 Jan 2016
    3:19 pm
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.

- - butterflydreamin said
  - 08 Jan 2016
    9:10 pm
I think she actually had depression
- butterflydreamin replied
  
  08 Jan 2016 , 9:17 pm
  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
- - jess said
  - 08 Dec 2015
    12:01 pm
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.

- - Nas01 said
  - 04 Dec 2015
    2:12 pm
Interesting take on story and I like that either way it’s positive.

- - robyn_smithwick said
  - 30 Nov 2015
    3:12 pm
This is very heartwarming stuff. A very honest read!

- - mom81879 said
  - 11 Nov 2015
    6:54 am
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:/

- - mom94378 said
  - 09 Nov 2015
    3:21 pm
Interesting left field take on this kids classic.

- - JessyJade190490 said
  - 04 Nov 2015
    5:02 pm
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!!

- - mom165081 said
  - 03 Nov 2015
    3:46 pm
Never thought of it like that – certainly an interesting view. We like the positive messages in this movie as well.

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 29 Oct 2015
    10:14 pm
I never thought about Frozen in this sense, but you’re right it’s a really positive movie and message for children.

- - mom94125 said
  - 23 Oct 2015
    1:56 pm
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.

- - BellaB said
  - 20 Oct 2015
    4:39 pm
Well, that’s certainly one way to interpret it.

- - silvialee said
  - 17 Oct 2015
    3:31 am
inspiring article.

- - Missey Grace said
  - 14 Oct 2015
    11:06 pm
Interesting read – I haven’t related the key character of this movie with autism until now.

- - robyn_smithwick said
  - 13 Oct 2015
    8:34 pm
This is a very thought provoking article! Thanks for sharing this with us.

- - ella12 said
  - 13 Oct 2015
    2:08 pm
Thanks so much for your thoughts Rochelle.

- - mom103920 said
  - 13 Oct 2015
    1:03 am
I must be one of the few mums that haven’t seen this movie yet, although my kids have somehow learned the songs. I enjoyed reading your perspective, and your love for your children is so evident. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us Rochelle.

- - rovermum said
  - 12 Oct 2015
    10:05 am
I absolutely love your take on this. It’s a beautiful and different way of looking at and perhaps describing autism. One I didn’t see myself, but can certainly relate to.

- - Cynthea Jenke said
  - 11 Oct 2015
    10:49 pm
I like your wording as autism is a strength