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10 ways Disney can help those with autism

Published: Friday, Aug. 1 2014 10:25 a.m. MDT



Disney’s effect on children isn’t that hard to miss.




Owen is just one example of how Disney has helped those with autism. With 1 in 68 children being diagnosed with autism, according to the CDC, and Disney movies being widely popular among kids, in what ways can those with autistic characteristics benefit from Disney, its characters and its entire brand?

Here are 10 ways that Disney can help kids with autism:

Disney makes you more positive.

Studies have noted that Disney films make kids nicer over time. Kids will often act positively after seeing Disney films, a BYU study found. This can help those with autism for two reasons. Not only are those with autism typically unsocial, but they also struggle with smiling and relaying regular emotions, the Autism Science Foundation found.

Kids can bond with Disney characters.

Research has found that girls often identify with Disney princesses, giving them a quick connection to someone else. The ASF found that those with autism tend to not do very well socially. However, by identifying with a character in a Disney film, and understanding how they interact with others, it may give those with autism a guideline for how to interact with other people.

Disney is all about imagination.

Research done by Dr. Filiz Kabapinar of Marmara University found that cartoons are a beneficial teaching tool since they tend to inspire creativity and imagination. This can help with those with autism who are known for not playing pretend games or being too imaginative, the CDC reported.

Disney movies don’t always have parents.

One of the most common things to happen in Disney films is for the parents to die or go missing. “Frozen,” “Bambi” and “The Lion King” all feature parental deaths, forcing the main character to forge a new path toward success. This may help those with autism, since they tend not to seek parental attention, according to CBS News. These movies and cartoons could help them learn to be vibrant, talkative and social without necessarily paying more attention to their parents. It also could show them the importance of parents in helping kids grow.

Disney can help kids learn.

Not following directions and having trouble understanding concepts are two problems for those with autistic characteristics, according to the ASF. Disney characters — like most cartoon characters — are often instructional and teach kids how to follow order and direction. This is especially true for those seen on shows like “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.”

Disney can help you learn manners.

Cartoons — the nonviolent type, and some Disney ones, like "Winnie the Pooh" — have been linked to teaching manners. A popular show on the Disney Junior television channel is “Can you Teach My Alligator Manners?” and promotes good practices in the home. One sign of autism is temper tantrums, according to the CDC, and they can possibly be quelled by learning proper ettiquette.

Disney has vibrant characters.

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