Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to Helen, Georgia, as an autistic individual? Wonder no longer. I have gone to Helen so that you don’t have to wonder what it would be like from an autistic person’s perspective. I have been going to Helen since I was a child. Every summer, my mother, siblings, and I would go to Helen to go tubing on the Chattahoochee River. This trip was the first time I had traveled to Helen in a time of year that was not summer. As I have grown older, Helen has lost much of its appeal. If I am honest with myself, we will dive into what I experienced on my most recent trip.
Everyone’s autism affects them differently, and what sensory issues are a big deal for someone with autism might not be a big deal for someone else with the same diagnosis. Many of my sensory triggers are around auditory input, such as loud noises or screeching sounds. For some reason, there is always cheesy, tacky music playing year-round. My best guess is that it’s German Polka music. I know it is supposed to sound like authentic German music, but it just sounds like an accordion trying to finally make it onto Broadway before its dream of hitting the big time is dead. I avoid the downtown square with the stage with the music; unfortunately, to get to many shops, you have to walk past it. This time of year, because they are having Oktoberfest, there was also live music being played that I could hear from a speaker. From a purely sensory input and trigger perspective, I recommend avoiding Helen during this time of year if you’re sensitive to auditory input. Now, we venture on to discussing the food.
My favorite place to eat at Helen would be Hoffers, and it has been my favorite place to eat since I was a child when my mom first took me there on one of my first trips to Helen. Many other restaurants have German sausages, pizza, chicken tenders, and other fair to enjoy. I would not recommend Helen if you report to be a foodie; there are much better places to eat in North Georgia than Helen. Another family favorite of mine to go to in Helen is Hansel and Gretel, the candy shop. The service is always friendly, but some of the items can be a tad pricey. I did get some chocolate peanut butter fudge, which is always delicious from that spot.
The one bright spot on this trip to hell, and I have to say, was the glass shop across the street from the Small Town Square. I might start collecting small glass figurines if I was not so prone to breaking things. A gentleman explained their method for making the figurines to some school-age children. I overheard him mention that everything in the shop was made of dirt, and there was energy around us. These are just some tidbits I picked up from that presentation. I recommend going there and admiring the artistry of the glass blowers. Another bright spot would be that the Chattahoochee River runs through Helen, and during the summertime, it is a prime tubing destination. I recommend Helen during the summer as the water is very calm and refreshing, especially during a hot summer’s day in the south. I recommend tubing during the work week as weekends are much more crowded. If you ever want to go tubing, Helen, check with the tubing company to ensure that the water levels are sufficient so that you avoid getting stuck on rocks. I plan to return to Helen to tube, but not for anything else.
In closing, you will surely be disappointed if you hope to go to hell and experience authentic German food and culture. According to an article on Georgia Cabins for you, under the header of historical Helen, the idea that this is an authentic Germantown is laid to rest once and for all. According to the article, Helen was originally a logging town formed in 1912. In 1968, the city was transformed into a quote German-inspired Alpine” town to attract business to the local area. A local artist named John Kollack had spent time in the Bavarian Alps and was tapped to turn the declining mountain town into a tourist attraction. I grew up going to Helen in the summertime and loved tubing there. It’s a haven for some, but for others, not so much.
Living on the Spectrum 
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