Meet Julia’s Family – The Latest Muppet’s To Join Sesame Street In Honour Of Autism Awareness Month

Every year, the gap between generations seems to get wider and wider for a variety of reasons. However, if there is one thing we ALL have in common – from 1 to 101 – it’s that we ALL absolutely love Sesame Street. And if you say you don’t, then you’re lying.

Today I bring you news that will make you love those adorable creatures (and their fantastic creators, obviously) even more… not like you needed a reason for that whatsoever, mind.

Our beloved long-running children’s program “Sesame Street” is now rolling out new characters as well as invaluable resources for families all over the world in honor of Autism Awareness Month. Viewers have recently been introduced to Julia’s whole family, and in the oh-so-wise words of Elmo himself, it demonstrates wonderfully how “it’s really cool that everybody’s a little bit different but the same, too.”

Julia, who as you may or may not know, was the ever muppet who has autism to appear on the show, made her own debut on Sesame Street back in 2017.

And now, this April, in honor of Autism Awareness Month, the program is brilliantly expanding Julia’s significant role on the show by introducing her entire family to all of her devoted fans.

“We’re thrilled to expand Julia’s world with her parents, big brother, and her adorable dog, Rose, in our new resources,” Sherrie Westin, who is president of global impact and philanthropy at Sesame Workshop, said in a recent statement. “Children with autism often face unique challenges, as do their parents and siblings. But every family faces challenges of some sort, which is why we are focusing on what all families have in common. In a family, everyone has different roles, challenges, and strengths, and everyone can learn from one another.”

Video courtesy of GMA; Youtube

Honestly, I’m just so excited about this that I cannot stand it!

Paula Faris, from ABC News, actually took it upon herself to drop by the set of Sesame Street and met Julia as well as some of the other beloved characters on the show. Nope, I’m not jealous at all, not even a teeny bit, not even in the slightest.

And everybody’s favorite red cheeky chappy Elmo was asked what exactly it is that he has learned from Julia over the past couple of years, he told “GMA” that the most important thing he has learned is that everybody “is a little bit different”.

“Julia has autism,” Elmo said. “And that makes Julia different … But it’s really cool that everybody’s a little bit different but same, too. And Elmo and Julia have a lot in common, and we have a lot of fun together.”

Julia’s lovely family, who as I mentioned before are the newest additions to Sesame Street cast, includes Julia’s mother, who is an art teacher, Julia’s father who is a saxophone player, her very protective older brother, and her adorable pet dog.

That’s one good-lookin’ family if I ever did see one!

(Sesame Street debuted the family of Julia, a muppet with autism, on “Good Morning America.”)

Julia’s brother, whose name is Sam, told “GMA” that is there is one this he wants people to know about his little sister, it’s that “it may take a few tries to get to know Julia.”

“But just because she doesn’t respond — doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to be friends,” he added.

Sorry I need a minute… it’s getting hard for me to see what I’m typing with all these freakin’ emotional tears in my eyes.

Okay okay, I’m good, I think.

Jeanette Betancourt, who is the senior vice president for U.S. Social Impact at Sesame Workshop – aka the nonprofit organization associated with Sesame Street – said she hopes that meeting Julia’s family will help other families out there with autism even more.

(Sesame Street debuted the family of Julia, a muppet with autism, on “Good Morning America.”)

“We know families that have children on the spectrum, they face unique challenges. But more importantly, there’s so much they share,” Betancourt told “GMA.”

But it’s not just a case of introducing a new, fabulous family to the street, oh no! Along with introducing Julia’s family to the Sesame Street audience, Sesame Workshop has also released a whole bunch of brand new videos along with materials with the goal of the helping families of children who have autism, on their official website.

These resources will especially focus on exactly how to deal with problems such as bullying, which can disproportionately affect children who have autism, according to the organization.

Sesame Workshop has also partnered up with the Autism Speaks and the Ad Council in order to put Julia up front and center in their own public awareness campaign to help raise even more awareness of the early signs of autism and the significant need for early intervention.

Either way, it’s an absolutely incredible thing to be happening, especially today – and I’m proud to talk about the fact that whenever something incredible like this happens in the wonderful world of television, it’s more often than not Sesame Street leading the way!

 

What do you think folks, are you as obsessed with Sesame Street as I am? Of COURSE, you are. So how do you feel about the introduction of Julia’s family? Because to me, the more Muppets in the world – the better! Do you have someone special in your life who has Autism or know of anybody who does? If so, have you been helped by the issues covered on Sesame Street in the past? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget to share this with your friends and family too! AAx

The post Meet Julia’s Family – The Latest Muppet’s To Join Sesame Street In Honour Of Autism Awareness Month appeared first on Go Social.