“Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?”
Every child has a staple show that keeps a smile on their face and the gears of their brains turning. For most, including myself, Sesame Street was one of the most important parts of my childhood, as it incorporated a great mix of both educational and fun matters for me to focus my little innocent eyes upon. Not only did this show help me learn my ABC’s and 123’s, but it taught me how to function in society and the problems that I may come across, and most importantly, the array of diversity amongst the people I would share time with in my daily life. The characters in this television phenomenon taught me what life is all about, and the endless opportunities it can provide me.
Grover, the blue and furry muppet taught me that adventure is everywhere and the possibilities are endless for anyone who partakes in a day to day life. The Cookie Monster, along with many of the other neighbors on Sesame Street taught me that sharing is extremely important and life is a lot easier with others by your side to help you along the way. There is not one character that is the same on Sesame Street, and as a child, these inspiring muppets taught me that people come in all sizes, shapes, colors and kinds, and differences do not make someone wrong, it makes them unique. They showed me, along with many other children across the nation, that family does not have to mean blood relation, a family can be made up of any group of individuals who show their care, support, and love for one another.
These characters may have taught me all that I needed to know back when I was a child in the 2000s, however, times have changed, and more important issues have become crucial in the daily lives of children in these more modern times. Recently, PBS has welcomed a new character to Sesame Street, Julia. In the preview clip of Julia that was shown, Big Bird, the well-known giant furry yellow bird, is introduced to Julia as a new friend that will be joining them on Sesame Street. Big Bird is confused, however, when Julia does not respond right away to Big Bird’s presence, and when he greets her, she seems to decline his salutation, which causes Big Bird to worry about what he had done, rightfully so. Elmo, the icon of Sesame Street, then lets Big Bird, as well as millions of other viewers, know that Julia has autism, and he says that “sometimes it takes her a little longer to do things”. Big Bird’s eyes, as well as millions of other children’s, were then opened up to the idea of autism, and what it means to have this diagnosis- including the traits that individuals exhibit who live with it.
My hat goes off to the gang on Sesame Street and the people behind it’s magic, for taking the initiative to acknowledge the difference in children in the world, and how living with a diagnosis such as autism does not make them any less important than those who do not have a specific diagnosis. It may have taken more than a decade for Sesame Street to introduce a new character, but my heart is happy knowing that the character they chose to introduce was, in fact, Julia. Not only will Julia allow for kids without autism to experience the traits that children like her encompass and the behaviors they may display, but it allows children with autism to see a character on television just like them, knowing that they are not alone, and they too can be amazing, just like Julia!
Kudos to you, Sesame Street. This is a big deal and I know that I am proud of the decision you have made, and I know that you will be impacting the lives of many families across the nation. It is beyond important for children to know that they may be different, but that does not make them wrong, and we can no longer shelter our kids from these issues in the world because it is clear that they exist. Sesame Street is blessed to have Julia reside in their magical and diverse neighborhood.
The new episode of Sesame Street featuring Julia is said to air on PBS and HBO on April 10, so I suggest you all tune in, I know I will!
