There’s a new kid in the neighborhood. Say hello to Julia! She’s a sweet little girl with autism who just moved onto Sesame Street.
In “Meet Julia”, the episode that airs on April 10, audiences will be introduced to the new character. Sesame Street hopes to promote understanding about autism to the next generation of viewers. According to a press release, over the course of five years, Sesame Workshop consulted with more than 250 organizations and experts within the autism community to develop Julia’s character.
In Julia’s debut episode, the adult character of Alan is careful to frame his responses to questions about Julia’s autism as what that means “for Julia.”
One in 68 children in the United States has been identified with autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though there is not a one-size-fits-all definition of autism, the CDC notes that the developmental disability can cause social, communication and behavioral challenges.
Sesame Street first aired in 1969, and for decades, it has remained one of the most powerful platform for reaching children. The producers have not shied away from approaching challenging topics.
You can read more about Julia and Sesame Street here.
