Sesame Street has taken a huge step towards inclusivity by adding their first ever autistic Muppet to the children’s show.
Julia, a small orange-haired Muppet, is their newest addition. Not only is the show giving insight into the condition through ‘Julia’, but they are making her “part of the gang”, an example of full inclusivity. Since acceptance is something kids on the autism spectrum are usually deprived from, this character will definitely teach children how to accept any differences they may notice.
While Julia has existed in print and other video content for more than the last year, she will finally make her first appearance in the upcoming episode ‘Meet Julia’.
In order to successfully reduce the stigma behind autism, years of research and consultations with any families within the autism community were conducted in regards to designing the character.
In fact, the Julia’s puppeteer herself, Stacey Gordon, is the mother of a child suffering from autism. The episode is something she wishes her “son’s friends had been able to see when they were small.”
The very first episode itself will already showcase to viewers some of the signs of someone with autism, but turning them into positives and things that can be dealt with easily.
Making her inclusive but not erasing the fact that she does things differently.
Catch Julia’s debut in the upcoming ‘Meet Julia’ episode.
Are you excited for this massive step in children’s TV? Let us know in the comments below.
– Written by Deli Ratnakirthi
