Elsa is Autistic (Episode 63)

Dr. Angela Lauria and Matt Lowry, LPP, discuss authentic autistic representation in the character of Elsa from Frozen. They discuss masking, unmasking, ABA, sensory differences, autistic lineage, autistic women, and the heroes journey we all must take if we want to “Let it Go” and adventure “Into the Unknown.” Beyond that, this week’s quotes speak for themselves:

The wind is howling like this swirling storm insideCouldn't keep it in, heaven knows I triedDon't let them in, don't let them seeBe the good girl you always have to beConceal, don't feel, don't let them knowWell, now they knowLet it go, let it goCan't hold it back anymoreLet it go, let it go—“Let it Go”

“They were trying to conceal her because they didn't want the kingdom to know that she had powers. They were trying to make her fit in. To hide, to conceal, to fix. And it's very much ABA vibes.” —Matt

“One of the biggest dangers of coming out (as autistic) is being vulnerable and losing your support system…and losing the people that you once thought liked you but just like the mask that you wore. So (unmasking) takes a lot of guts.” —Matt

“And this is a big part about Frozen 2 because when we find ourselves, that can be an incredibly lonely process. Because, we have to we have to start shedding pieces of ourselves, one piece at a time to try to figure out—to get to the core of who we really are.” —Matt

“You kind of have to settle into who you actually are instead of who you've been pretending to be.” —Angela

“That does not happen the day the doctor says, or doesn't say, ‘You're autistic.’ Nothing magical happens that day. The magic is like the years and years of work and grief and processing and trying things, all the things you would have been doing.” —Angela

“There's often, like, this unresolved resentment because when you finally figure out who you are you're like, holy shit, why didn't anyone (A) ever tell me (B) love me for who I really was or (C) tell me that I didn't have to hide myself?” —Matt

Do you relate to Elsa and the songs from Frozen? Tell us in the comments and use #AutisticCultureCatch to share your answer on your social media and connect with other listeners!

Show notes and resources:

Wiki Fandom: Elsa

Wikipedia: Frozen (2013 film)

Blog: “Conceal, don’t feel”: The case for autistic Elsa

Article: ‘Frozen’ offers glimpse of autism in girls

Blog: 19 Reasons Why I Am Convinced Elsa Is Autistic

Article: Kristen Bell recalls Dax Shepard confronting her about her mental health

Article: Kristen Bell Is Not Afraid To Share That She Takes Medication for Her Mental Health

Article: Seeking Disney’s first disabled princess

Video: Story Of Frozen, The Making Of A Disney Animated Classic (2014)

Article: 10 Things You May Not Know About Idina Menzel—The Wicked Movie and More

YouTube: Hygge (From "Frozen: The Broadway Musical"/Audio Only)

Presentation: Is it Weird that I’m Moving to the UK?

Other episodes to check out if you liked this one:

Episode 07: Apple is Autistic  

Episode 09: Fairy Tales are Autistic 

Episode 26 - Disney is Autistic

Episode 34: Beauty and the Beast is Autistic

Episode 58: The Good Place is Autistic

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