Posted on 10/24/2015 6:24:10 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The gang from "Sesame Street" is welcoming a new member to the neighborhood — Julia, a girl who has bright orange hair and big green eyes.
She also has autism.
Julia is the latest creation from the Sesame Workshop, and she offers children a relatable character they can understand, whether they're living with autism or know someone who is.
On Wednesday, "Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children" was launched online, and Julia is just part of that educational and awareness initiative.
"Children with autism are five times more likely to get bullied," Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, the senior vice president of community and family engagement at Sesame Workshop, told People magazine. "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."
Kids can already get to know Julia through a new online storybook called "We're Amazing, 1, 2, 3!"
In the story, fan favorite Muppet Elmo goes on a playdate with his pal Julia and helps another friend, Abby, understand Julia.
"Elmo's daddy told Elmo that Julia has autism," he says. "So 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."
Knowing that, Abby finds it easy to make friends with Julia, too.
But Julia's storybook isn't the only story available
"Sesame Workshop is uniquely positioned to play a meaningful role in increasing peoples' understanding about autism," Sherrie Westin, executive vice president of global impact and philanthropy at Sesame Workshop, said in a statement. "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."
See all the resources for parents, caregivers, teacher and kids at www.SesameStreet.org/Autism.
Thanks for posting. That’s a very interesting & thought provoking clip. That lady is very impressive.
If they really want to jazz it up, they should have a character with Tourettes Syndrome:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHfo8zwYFUo
Not Safe For Work or young children or those easily offended.
Anti-vaxers cross the political spectrum.
Yeah, I was surprised—being someone who is ignorant of autism and only hearing about the low-functioning examples—the movie about her was a revelation. Her mom made sure she spent quality time with her, and hired the right teachers, to get Temple to learn things so she could function.
How does a person exhibit Tourettes if they’ve never heard a curse word?
I’m waiting for one with Tourette’s Syndrome.
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@$&( you Elmo!
“How does a person exhibit Tourettes if they’ve never heard a curse word?”
Good question. Who do you know that’s never heard a curse word? If there is such a person, I’m sure they’d come up with whatever passes for inappropriate speech in their world.
I suffer from Tourettes and you know I [****!] pretty much say what’s on my mind ...
So I had to go to court last week and I was a little worried. But everything [****] was going OK.
I was a witness.
They asked me to swear on a bible and that’s when all ****** ******* **** broke loose.
I volunteer to be the “voice talent” for that one.
LO%$#!!!L!
Still waiting for the Pseudobulbar Affect Muppet...
An agreement with HBO puts the series new first run episodes on that network, and they will run 9 months later on PBS. CTW sees the money in all this (and they reap millions as it is).
Since they’re going to HBO maybe the content will change...and it’ll be like the musical Avenue Q... (a Sesame Street spoof for adults with songs like “The Internet Is For Porn”)
What have you learned about the new stat that 68% of kids have autism?
One in 68. That’s less than 2%.
In my area “fake autism” is a way for parents to get some kind of disability money for their kids, who are completely normal (for only children that have been indulged too much). I’ve seen real autism as well; I couldn’t imagine how the parents do it. Seems very stressful.
Check out Dave Chapelle’s skit using muppet-type characters to show kids about venereal diseases - an absolute scream.
Serious question. Does a person who has autism recognize this in another person? Example...”I am autistic, and that person is like me and also autistic.” Would an autistic child recognize and identify with a cartoon character displaying the characteristics? (If not, then Sesame street is just being inclusive?)
I’m waiting for these people to volunteer to adopt them. So sanctimonious about disabilities. They don’t have a clue.
Doesn`t matter though, I read their rating have been dropping steadily and with any luck this children`s PC indoctrination effort gets cancelled soon.
BTW, have Bert and Ernie come out yet?
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