Sesame Street Introduces A New Muppet Character With Autism

[bradl]

MOD NOTE: Mods, this has the potential to drop to conversation suited to PRSI. If it does, feel free to move the thread.

In knowing a few children with this and how others have a hard time relating to, dealing with, and understanding, and it being metal singer Ronnie James Dio's championing cause, all I really have to say to this is "well done, and keep on keeping on, SS!"

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...introduces-a-new-muppet-character-with-autism

'Sesame Street' Introduces A New Muppet Character With Autism
October 22, 2015 3:26 PM ET
By Elizabeth Blair

The muppet Julia has not yet made her TV debut, but the wide-eyed little girl with a big smile is the star of her own "digital storybook" called "We're Amazing, 1,2,3."

For over a year now, Sesame Street has been working with organizations such as Autism Speaks and Autism Self Advocacy to help reduce the stigma associated with autism spectrum disorder. As part of the campaign "See Amazing in All Children," the adorable muppet Addy Cadabby explains in one YouTube video, "Lots of kids have autism and that just means their brains work a little differently."

Julia is not the first fictional media character with autism. But Michael Robb, Director of Research for Common Sense Media, an organization that rates and reviews media aimed at children, says Sesame Street's move is "pretty groundbreaking." "It can be difficult to start a conversation about children with disabilities. It's even harder when that difference isn't visible," he says.

After looking through "We're Amazing, 1,2,3," Robb says the story could help children be more understanding of how Julia is different. "It's very real in terms of talking in simple language. It spells out these things in concrete ways that kids can understand. It shows ways she's just like other kids. It shows how making simple accommodations can help Julia."

According to Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, Vice President, Outreach and Educational Practices for The Joan Ganz Cooney Center, Sesame Street producers are waiting to hear back from the autism community before introducing Julia to the show on TV.

BL.

 

[Reality4711]

Well posted sir (I assume)

Please be aware Autism has been around since before everything so there a huge number of "grownups" that have suffered in silence with no help or understanding who are just getting diagnosed. For some a form of closure on a life different for reasons they did not understand.

The consequences being, depression, rejected from society, self destruction and a lot more; this mess running cases of extreme creativity, drive and antisocial behaviour all in one.

If you know someone difficult to understand who just doesn't fit, can say the wrong things and behave irrationally just give them a second thought and maybe you will find a real survivor inside doing their best to survive in your world.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I read this story yesterday when it was first published. Well done, @bradl for posting about it.

A wonderful idea, especially if it in any way helps kids on the spectrum to cope better with the multiple challenges they face in life.

This is yet another terrific example of the generous and positive public-spirited ethos which governs Sesame Street, which is itself a superb and very impressive example of public service broadcasting.

 

[Roric]

Depending on how this new character is presented and how the other characters react, this could help other kids realize that those on the spectrum are kids just like them.