Popular children's program "Sesame Street" is introducing the first autistic puppet, and her name is Julia.
According to E! Online, Julia will become part of the initiative, Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children, from the Sesame Workshop and the plan is to present Julia across Sesame's digital content as well as published story books.
The puppet, who has orange hair and who is dressed in pink and green, is characterized as a preschooler with autism who is also good friends with other puppet regulars like Elmo, Abby Cadabby and Grover. In introducing her to the children, Julia will be joining a playdate, while Elmo will help the other kids understand about her qualities, according to the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH).
"She does things a little differently. Sometimes Elmo talks to Julia using fewer words and says the same thing a few times. ... Oh, and sometimes Elmo waits a long time for Julia to answer," said Elmo, according to SMH. Children can watch this episode in a special online story book, "We're Amazing, 1,2,3!" according to ABC Chicago.
"Sesame Workshop is uniquely positioned to play a meaningful role in increasing peoples' understanding about autism," said Sherrie Westin, the head of the Sesame's Global Impact and Philanthropy in the E! report. "This project is an extension of the belief we've always promoted: 'we are all different, but all the same.' I am passionate about this initiative, and am so proud of the partnerships with the autism community that have led to this," she added in a statement to the press.
Having Julia feature in Sesame Workshop's latest digital project bodes well for both the organization and parents. As Westin pointed out via People, most families with autistic children lean towards the internet for their kids.
The initiative was planned and developed for three years before it was finally unveiled to the public Wednesday. "We want parents and children to understand that autism isn't an uncomfortable topic," Westin said in the People report. "We want to create greater awareness and empathy."
"Children with autism are five times more likely to get bullied," Dr. Jeanette Betancourt of the U.S. Social Impact also told People. "And with one in 68 children having autism, that's a lot of bullying. Our goal is to bring forth what all children share in common, not their differences. Children with autism share in the joy of playing and loving and being friends and being part of a group."
