Just a few months ago, my son, Leo, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4. As a newcomer to the autism parenting journey, I find myself navigating uncharted waters. Leo is considered level 1 on the spectrum, academically gifted, and exhibits some traits that differ from typical presentations of autism.
When my husband and I first learned of Leo’s diagnosis, we had many questions for his pediatrician regarding how and when to discuss it with him. Should we tell him immediately? It’s not a negative thing. Should I bake a cake to celebrate this new chapter? “Blow out the candles! You have autism!” Ultimately, we’ve chosen to hold off on a formal conversation. We discuss his strengths and areas where he struggles, as well as the ways he might differ from his peers. As he grows and begins to ask more questions, we’ll find the right moment to share the news. That could be next week or several years from now; we’ll let him guide us.
So when I discovered that Sesame Street was introducing a new Muppet character, Julia, who has autism, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Representation matters, and by the time I do share Leo’s diagnosis, he’ll already have some understanding of autism from watching one of his favorite shows. I went online to view clips of Julia and immediately noticed both the similarities and differences between her and Leo.
One significant aspect of Julia’s character is that she is a girl. Autism has often been viewed as a condition predominantly affecting boys, and many girls go undiagnosed. This is largely due to the fact that girls can exhibit different behaviors and may mask their symptoms better by conforming to social norms, even if they don’t fully grasp them.
It’s essential to recognize that autism is a vast spectrum with various levels and subtypes. A phrase I’ve come to hear frequently is, “If you’ve met one child with autism, you’ve met one child with autism.” This is important to remember because, even though Leo may relate to Julia and will eventually understand that he shares her autism, I don’t believe he will see a direct reflection of himself in her character. I suspect this may be true for many children on the spectrum. That’s not a negative observation; it’s simply a reality. No television show could possibly capture the full diversity of experiences among children, especially those on the autism spectrum.
Just the other day, I was driving and heard a segment on the radio about Julia. My heart tightened, and tears welled in my eyes—not out of sadness or concern for Leo—but rather for other kids. I thought about neurotypical children encountering a character with autism even before they can walk or talk. For kids who may not have an autistic sibling or classmate, meeting Julia offers them their first glimpse into neurodiversity.
My son is already facing challenges in making friends during preschool because many of his classmates don’t understand his behavior. They don’t intend to be unkind, but they struggle to engage with him. They may not realize that loud noises can be overwhelming for him, or that they need to ask him multiple times to play before he hears them. They might find his speech overly scripted or be confused by his playing style.
By watching Julia interact with Abby, Elmo, Big Bird, and others on Sesame Street, neurotypical kids can gain insight into how an autistic child might behave. This early exposure could foster tolerance and inclusivity when they encounter an autistic peer at school or on the playground because Julia won’t be the first autistic child they meet. They’ll already know her.
So, thank you, Sesame Street. Your efforts are appreciated.
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In summary, while Julia may not be a perfect representation for every child on the spectrum, her presence on Sesame Street serves a broader purpose. It equips neurotypical children with the knowledge to foster understanding and acceptance, paving the way for a more inclusive environment.
Keyphrase: Sesame Street autism character
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