All rights reserved. A Muppet with autism makes her "Sesame Street" debut on April 10, a first for the show. Sesame Street has introduced its first-ever autistic character, Julia, to its universe as part of its “See Amazing” initiative, the program revealed on Wednesday, Oct. 21. All Rights Reserved. Oct. 21, 2015, 4:59 PM UTC / Updated Oct. 21, 2015, 4:59 PM UTC / Source: TODAY. Copyright © 2021 KGO-TV. 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Share via facebook; Share via twitter; Share via whatsapp; SMS Share via SMS; Share via e-mail; Leave a comment. Sesame Workshop has announced a major initiative to help de-stigmatize autism, which affects one in 68 children in America, and is introducing a new character to give those children a voice. And hopefully, Julia’s role on Sesame Street can help them know what to expect. For almost 50 years, the Muppets on Sesame Street have been teaching kids about a variety of topics, from the alphabet to major social issues like bullying, food insecurity, and divorce. The program’s producers worked with child psychologists and autism organizations to figure out the best way to portray autism. 60 Minutes visits "Sesame Street" for the first time and films the debut of their new Muppet character, Julia, who has autism While Julia has appeared in an online storybook from Sesame Street, this will be the first time her character appears on the TV show. Julia introduced as a character in Sesame’s books first and immediately became a fan favorite. Sesame Street’s autistic character “Julia”, by Marybeth Nelson In the storybooks, Julia explains to her Sesame Street friends how she likes to play differently from them. Now, the beloved children’s series is leaning into inclusivity and autism education even more. She’s been in Sesame Workshop print and digital illustrations for more than a year, … This caused producers to write her in the show. She is a young girl with bright orange hair and big green eyes and is friends with Elmo and Abby. New Sesame Street character, Julia, is a preschool girl with autism who does things a little differently when playing with her friends. “Sesame Street” is introducing its first autistic character to the longtime children’s show in an effort to destigmatize the disorder and reduce bullying. (CNN) The newest resident of "Sesame Street" has orange hair and a fondness for her toy rabbit. This will certainly benefit all kids as they will learn to befriend and understand children who are different,” says Hansa Bhargava, MD, WebMD medical editor and expert pediatrician. A new Muppet named Julia is joining the diverse and inclusive “Sesame Street” crew that has been part of so many childhoods. Sesame Workshop has announced a major initiative to help de-stigmatize autism, which affects one in 68 children in America, and is introducing a new character to give those children a voice. Sesame Street introduces autistic character as part of initiative to reduce stigma. Plus, Julia’s condition is close to home for her puppeteer, Stacey Gordon. For almost 50 years, the Muppets on Sesame Street have been teaching kids about a variety of topics, from the alphabet to major social issues like bullying, food insecurity, and divorce. The introduction is intended to help destigmatize autism and reduce isolation among diagnosed children. With autism affecting 1 in 68 children today, there is a chance that many children may cross paths with someone on the autism spectrum. “Sesame Street” has always been the most inclusive place in town. On Wednesday, the company launched “Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children,” an online initiative that will provide resources for viewers on the spectrum, as well as educate the general public about autism.A big part of this is the introduction of Julia, an autistic character who Elmo meets in an online storybook, “We’re … When Julia is introduced to Big Bird, for example, she doesn’t respond. She’s creating quite the buzz as she’s the first character with autism. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diets for Autism, Play Therapy May Undo Autism in At-Risk Babies. So sometimes it takes her a little longer to do things.”  Autism doesn’t always look the same for everyone, though, so it’s important to realize kids with autism may do things differently. (Sesame Workshop). As she tells 60 Minutes, “Had my son’s friends been exposed to his behaviors through something that they had seen on TV before they experienced them in the classroom, they might not have been frightened. She has a son with autism. On April 10th, 'Sesame Street' will introduce an all-new autistic character, Julia, in an attempt to normalize the disorder for children everywhere. As Elmo explained on 60 Minutes, it’s not personal: “It’s just that Julia has autism. Julia is a four-year-old girl with autism from Sesame Street, introduced in 2015 as part of the Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative. Four years ago, Sesame Street introduced Julia, its first new Muppet in 10 years. The newest Sesame Street character, Julia, is a little girl who also has autism. Sesame Street is introducing its first character with autism.. Julia, a little yellow Muppet girl, is part of a campaign to reduce stigma surrounding the disorder. Their goal: Help all children understand why someone with the condition acts the way they do -- which may be different than expected. Newest "Sesame Street" Muppet has autism: Meet Julia. “It’s wonderful that an autistic character is being introduced. Sesame Workshop has announced a major initiative to help de-stigmatize autism, which affects one in 68 children in America, and is introducing a new character to give those children a voice. An autistic character is now part of Sesame Street, it emerged Wednesday. Sesame Street will be introducing their new resident by the name of Julia. "Sesame Street" introduced Julia, a character with autism, as a way to explain the condition to other children and adults. When "Sesame street" introduces a new character they're also sending a message and say we've got to focus on these issues and so empathy is going to be a big benefit here. They would have known that he plays in a different way and that that’s OK.”. By Ree Hines. People usually say she does things in a "Julia sort of way." 'Sesame Street' introduces first character with autism: Meet Julia. And like all their other characters, she isn’t looked at as a muppet with Autism but rather as an inclusive part of the Sesame Street family. “Sesame Street” is introducing its first autistic character to the longtime children’s show in an effort to destigmatize the disorder and reduce bullying. October 23, 2015. Sesame Street is providing a different kind of lesson with the introduction of its newest Muppet, Julia, who has autism. In 2017, Julia, the first muppet with autism, joined Sesame Street. She also has autism. They might not have been worried when he cried. The Sesame Workshop says she is being introduced as part of a campaign to take the stigma away from the disorder. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. Sesame Street introduces their first autistic character, Julia. The four-year-old girl with an orange bob-cut and green eyes debuted in 2015 as part of the Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative. Sesame Workshop has announced a major initiative to help de-stigmatize autism, which affects one in 68 children in America, and is introducing a new character to give those children a voice. Which is why I am overjoyed that Sesame Street has introduced an autistic muppet, called Julia (who will be operated by a woman, Stacey Gordon, who has a son with autism). Sesame Street has just introduced its first character with autism. “If you’re five years old, and see another kid not making eye contact with you, you may think that child doesn’t want to play with you,” says Westin. Julia has bright orange hair and big green eyes, and debuts in an online storybook. Sesame Street introduces autistic character, Julia, in bid to reduce stigma, encourage empathy Posted 22 Oct October 2015 Thu Thursday 22 Oct October 2015 at 3:46am Share ‘Sesame Street’s’ newest Muppet is Julia, a 4-year-old with blazing red hair, bright green eyes, and autism. After nearly a decade of featuring the same Muppet characters, Sesame Street added a yellow Muppet named Julia. Now, the program is breaking new ground by introducing a character with autism, a Muppet named Julia. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Stephanie Dickson. By Tania Kohut Global News Posted October 21, 2015 4:45 pm. By creating Julia, Sesame is bringing children together.” It’s one of the world’s most beloved children’s programs, and now Sesame Street is taking a positive step towards … Help them know what to expect Posted October 21, 2015, 4:59 PM UTC / Updated 21! 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