Sesame Street, a television show that aired for more than
50 years ago, decided to take on a new project, introducing their newest muppet friend Julia, who has autism.
Throughout the years, Sesame Street has taken on the challenges of addressing subjects such as death, disability, skin color and prejudice. Jeanette Betancourt, Sesame Workshop’s vice president of outreach and educational practices, said in a 2015 interview, “We wanted to demonstrate some of the characteristics of autism in a positive way.”
“More than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder. The prevalence in the United States is estimated at one in 68 births,” according to the Autism Society.
The announcement of Julia joining her furry friends on Sesame Street went viral. On social media, pictures and videos of her singing ‘Sunny Days’ with her friend Abby Kadaby were everywhere.
The nonprofit states on their website, “Sesame Workshop’s mission is to help kids grow smarter, stronger and kinder. Our recipe for success is combining a curriculum that addresses children’s critical developmental needs with the sophisticated use of media and a large dose of fun.”
Patrick Masluk, an employee at Juno Search Partners, was one of many people who were amazed by the release of Julia.
“I will say personally, my cousin has been autistic her whole life,” Masluk said. “She’s older now, about 13 I think, but her name is also Julia so her mom and dad almost cried because the character Julia is just like her.”
The Autism Society’s website says, “Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability.” Not every case of autism is the same. Children in the spectrum show different signs and characteristics.
“She was mostly socially awkward. She did not show a lot of emotion,” Masluk said. Ironically in an interview on 60 minutes, Julia is said to show the same characteristics, having a socially awkward personality.
The idea of having Julia on the show will not only bring awareness to the subject of autism but it will show children who are similar to her that they are not alone. In an interview with 60 minutes Stacey Gordon, the puppeteer behind Julia, said, “It is important for kids without autism to see what autism can look like.”
Gordon’s son has autism and she uses his real-life experiences to portray the characteristics seen in Julia. “Having Julia means our kids are important enough to be seen in society,” Gordon said.
Marissa Laverghetta, mother of three year-old Bella, hopes Julia will bring a special light into her daughter’s life.
“I started researching signs when she was two and still was not speaking like other children her age. I was told to get a speech therapist, so I did. The evaluators for speech therapy finally told me I needed to get her tested for autism.”
“I cried when I saw Julia was coming to Sesame Street. I now know how many other families are discovering autism in their families,” Laverghetta said. “Hopefully, Julia can bring hope and encouragement to others with autism to have confidence in themselves and not see themselves as different, but special in their own way.”
Jessica Hoffer is an employee in the Entertainment Department at Sesame Place in Langhorne, P.a. “The weekend of April 22 and 23 we do what we call ‘Variety Day’ and the park is only open for children with special needs,” Hoffer said. “My boss is trying to get a Julia character for us to do meet and greets, but all summer long we will be selling Julia plush dolls in the gift shop and I believe we are trying to do more.”
Julia is set to make her on-air Sesame Street debut on April 10, 2017.
