In a bid to help children better understand their autism (or their peers that have it) Sesame Workshop – the non-profit educational organisation behind Sesame Street – has introduced Julia, a girl with autism, to their varied cast of characters.
A part of online initiative Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children, Julia appears in a new online storybook called “We’re Amazing, 1, 2, 3!”
In the book, Elmo goes on a playdate with Julia and helps his friend, Abby, understand why Julia may appear a little different to them.
“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.”
With one in 110 children being diagnosed on the autism spectrum in Australia, this initiative is sure to strike a chord with many families.
“Sesame Workshop is uniquely positioned to play a meaningful role in increasing people’s understanding about autism,” Sherrie Westin, executive vice president of global impact and philanthropy at Sesame Workshop, explained in a statement.
“This project is an extension of the belief we’ve always promoted: ‘We are all different, but all the same.’”
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