Benjamin Franklin first penned the phrase, “Do well by doing good.”
And that is exactly what Sesame Street, a non-profit, pre-school television show, is doing once again. Now in its 50th year, the show has created a character with autism, Julia. And, a family for her, too. Julia and her brother, Sam, celebrated National Siblings Day during the Autism Acceptance Month of April. Sesame Street aims to help kids grow smarter, stronger and kinder in more than 150 countries worldwide.
Working with 250 autistic organizations, Sesame Street created an accurate depiction of autism. Stacy Gordon, Julia’s puppeteer, has an autistic son herself. Ms. Gordon believes that it is important for kids with the disorder to see themselves in pop culture and for their peers to see it, too.
“Had my son’s friends been exposed to his behaviors through something that they had seen on TV before they experienced him in the classroom. They might not have been frightened,” she told CBS.
Bullying
Children with autism are five times more likely to be bullied than their neuro-typical peers. So, Julia stands up for her bullied friend. On the show, young viewers learn how to accept and appreciate the idiosyncracies of autistic behavior in other children. Sesame Street promises to always #seeamazing aspects in every child.
Media coaching assembly was not required. This is media at its finest.