Long-running children's television series Sesame Street continues to make impressive strides some 48 years into its existence. Up next, the series has unveiled a new Muppet with autism.
The character is a shy four-year-old girl with autism named Julia. She will make her debut on Sesame Street next month.
Julia was first introduced on 60 Minutes over the weekend. In the opening of the episode, Julia has trouble shaking hands with Big Bird. Elmo explains that she still likes Big Bird, but she has autism.
Speaking with 60 Minutes, writer Christine Ferraro said, "It's tricky because autism is not one thing, because it is different for every single person who has autism.... There is an expression that goes, 'If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism."
Julia is voiced by Stacey Gordon, whose son has autism. Speaking with 60 Minutes, Gordon said, "Having Julia on the show and seeing all of the characters treat her with compassion... it's huge."
Watch Julia on 60 Minutes below.
The character is a shy four-year-old girl with autism named Julia. She will make her debut on Sesame Street next month.
Julia was first introduced on 60 Minutes over the weekend. In the opening of the episode, Julia has trouble shaking hands with Big Bird. Elmo explains that she still likes Big Bird, but she has autism.
Speaking with 60 Minutes, writer Christine Ferraro said, "It's tricky because autism is not one thing, because it is different for every single person who has autism.... There is an expression that goes, 'If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism."
Julia is voiced by Stacey Gordon, whose son has autism. Speaking with 60 Minutes, Gordon said, "Having Julia on the show and seeing all of the characters treat her with compassion... it's huge."
Watch Julia on 60 Minutes below.
