On April 10th, 2017, Sesame Street will debut Julia the muppet. Why is this such a big deal you ask? Julia, is a little girl (muppet) with autism. She does things a little different from most people, and sometimes that is hard for other children to understand. This new muppet gears to bring awareness and acceptance to those with autism. It has even started a new hashtag #seeamazing.
As a mom of four, two with Autism, this is huge! For my son who is two, this brings awareness to children his age. He is growing up in a time now where there is just so much more awareness, and his is one of those great tools to help with that.
This image released by Sesame Workshop shows Julia, a new autistic muppet character debuting on the 47th Season of “Sesame Street,” on April 10, 2017, on both PBS and HBO. (Zach Hyman/Sesame Workshop via AP)
For my daughter who is nine, this means the world. The information over the last twenty years or so has brought awareness, but left out girls with autism. In the past, most people believed that any girl with autism was mute. There are some children with autism who can not speak, but there are just as many if not more that can. Girls symptoms can be very similar to boys, but also very different.
Sesame Street autism -For My Autistic Daughter, This Means The World!
Having a girl character with autism gives my daughter someone to relate to! Julia makes my daughter feel accepted. It also helps her siblings and friends to understand her better. The simple ways Elmo explains Julia makes it easy for other children to understand and love her.
Julia (center) first appeared online and in printed materials as a part of Sesame Street’s See Amazing in all Children initiative. She’ll now appear on TV as well. From left, Elmo, Alan Muraoka, Julia, Abby Cadabby and Big Bird. Zach Hyman/Sesame Workshop
By bringing Julia to life as a muppet, Sesame Street is doing more than just bringing awareness. They are changing the word autism. They are changing the world’s perspective of autism from “different” to “awesome.” Sesame Street autism is bringing a huge change in the lives of so many children!
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This image released by Sesame Workshop shows Julia, a new autistic muppet character debuting on the 47th Season of “Sesame Street,” on April 10, 2017, on both PBS and HBO. (Zach Hyman/Sesame Workshop via AP)
