Meet Sesame Street‘s First-Ever Autistic Character, Julia!

As an aunt to a nephew and a niece on the autism spectrum, as well as several of my friends either working with or having children with special needs, pop culture that’s inclusive of them is really important to me. So, I was thrilled today to see that Sesame Street has introduced its very first autistic character!

Her name is Julia, and she’s a new friend to Elmo and Abby Cadabby. Julia is part of the new #SeeAmazing initiative at the Sesame Workshop, where they provide resources and learning tools to help children and adults alike see the amazing in all kids. Julia is even the star of a new digital storybook called We’re Amazing, 1, 2, 3!, which lovingly and accurately explains to children how to interact with their autistic friends. It kinda made me tear up a little bit.

The introduction of a new female character for girls is always reason to celebrate, but Julia is even cooler, because she’ll allow girls with autism the opportunity to see themselves on Sesame Street.

Now, hurry up with those Julia t-shirts, Sesame Workshop! I know a couple of kids who’d love them.

(via Neatorama)

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Teresa Jusino

Teresa Jusino (she/her) is a native New Yorker and a proud Puerto Rican, Jewish, bisexual woman with ADHD. She's been writing professionally since 2010 and was a former TMS assistant editor from 2015-18. Now, she's back as a contributing writer. When not writing about pop culture, she's writing screenplays and is the creator of your future favorite genre show. Teresa lives in L.A. with her brilliant wife. Her other great loves include: Star Trek, The Last of Us, anything by Brian K. Vaughan, and her Level 5 android Paladin named Lal.

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