Julia is a character on the children's television program Sesame Street who was introduced in 2017. She is a four-year-old girl with autism and is portrayed as a muppet. The inclusion of Julia on Sesame Street aims to promote understanding and acceptance of children with autism among young viewers.
Julia's character was carefully crafted with the help of autism organizations, educators, and families with autistic children. Her personality and behaviors are designed to reflect the experiences of many autistic children, and her appearances on the show aim to showcase different ways that children with autism may interact with others and how others can be supportive.
Julia's History
Julia was introduced as a character on Sesame Street in April 2017, during Autism Awareness Month. The character was created as part of Sesame Workshop's initiative, Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children, which aimed to promote understanding and acceptance of children with autism.
Sesame Workshop worked with experts and organizations in the autism community to develop Julia's character, behaviors, and interactions with other characters. The team behind the initiative conducted extensive research and consulted with families, educators, and medical professionals to ensure that Julia was an accurate and relatable representation of a child with autism.
Julia's character was designed to reflect some of the common characteristics of children with autism, such as sensitivity to loud noises, difficulty with transitions, and a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviors. Her inclusion on Sesame Street was intended to promote understanding and acceptance of these characteristics among young viewers and to help children with autism feel more included and accepted in society.
Julia's First Appearance
Julia's first appearance on Sesame Street was on April 10, 2017, in the episode "Meet Julia." The episode introduced Julia to the other characters on the show, including Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and Big Bird.
In the episode, the other characters are playing a game of tag when they notice Julia playing by herself. Elmo goes over to introduce himself and learns that Julia communicates differently than the other children. Julia flaps her arms excitedly, a behavior that is common in some children with autism, and sometimes takes longer to answer questions.
As the episode progresses, the other characters learn more about Julia's unique characteristics and behaviors. They also learn ways to communicate and play with her that are comfortable for her, such as giving her space when she needs it or speaking softly.
Julia's Family
Julia's family has been depicted in various Sesame Street media. In her debut on the show, Julia's family was briefly mentioned but not shown. However, in subsequent appearances, Julia's family has been introduced and developed as characters in their own right.
Julia's parents are Daniel and Elena, and she has an older brother named Samuel. Her parents are depicted as caring and supportive, and they work to understand and accommodate Julia's needs and behaviors. For example, in one Sesame Street book, "We're Amazing, 1, 2, 3!" Julia's family takes her to a quiet place to help her feel comfortable during a loud fireworks display.
Julia's family has also been shown engaging in activities that are common for families with children with autism, such as attending support group meetings and visiting a therapist. These depictions help to promote understanding and acceptance of autism and the experiences of families who have children with autism.
Development of Julia Character
Several performers have been involved in bringing Julia, the Sesame Street character with autism, to life. Here are the details:
Stacey Gordon - Stacey Gordon is the puppeteer who brings Julia to life on Sesame Street. She has a son with autism and was inspired to audition for the role of Julia after seeing the casting call. Gordon has said that she brings her personal experiences as a mother to her performance as Julia and strives to create an accurate and relatable representation of a child with autism.
Christine Ferraro - Christine Ferraro is a writer for Sesame Street and was instrumental in the development of Julia's character. She worked closely with autism experts and families to create a character that was accurate, relatable, and inclusive. Ferraro has said that Julia's inclusion on the show was a "long time coming" and that she hopes the character helps to reduce stigma and promote acceptance of autism.
Dr. Jeanette Betancourt - Dr. Jeanette Betancourt is the Senior Vice President for U.S. Social Impact at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street. Betancourt was a key figure in the development of Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children, the initiative that introduced Julia to the show. She has said that the initiative aims to promote understanding and acceptance of autism and to help families and children with autism feel included and supported.
Scott Badesch - Scott Badesch is the President and CEO of the Autism Society of America, one of the organizations that partnered with Sesame Workshop to develop Julia's character. Badesch worked closely with the Sesame Street team to provide insights and feedback on the character's development and to ensure that her portrayal was accurate and respectful to the autism community.
Julia's Performer
Stacey Gordon is the performer who brings Julia to life on Sesame Street. She is a puppeteer who was hired specifically to play the character of Julia, and she has been involved in the development of the character since its inception. Gordon is also the mother of a child with autism, which she has said has informed her performance and helped her to create an accurate and relatable representation of a child with autism.
Julia's Personality
Julia's personality on Sesame Street is depicted as curious, creative, and fun-loving. She enjoys painting, singing, and playing with her friends on Sesame Street. She is also a bit shy at times and can be sensitive to loud noises and other sensory stimuli.
As a character with autism, Julia's personality is also influenced by her unique characteristics and behaviors. For example, she sometimes flaps her arms excitedly when she is happy, a behavior that is common in some children with autism. She can also take longer to answer questions or process information, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings with her friends.
Who is Julia's Best Friend?
Julia has several friends on Sesame Street, but her best friend is a character named Elmo. Elmo and Julia share a love of singing, and they often sing together on the show. They also enjoy playing games, such as "Elmo Says," and going on adventures together.
Elmo has been an important friend and ally for Julia since her debut on Sesame Street. In her first appearance, Elmo helped Big Bird understand that Julia's behavior and communication style were simply different, not "wrong" or "bad." Since then, Elmo has continued to be a supportive friend to Julia, helping to promote understanding and acceptance of autism among his friends on Sesame Street and the show's young viewers.
Facts About Julia
Here are some facts about Julia, the Sesame Street character with autism:
- Julia's puppet was designed to reflect some of the physical traits that are associated with autism, such as a wider and more expressive range of arm movements. She also has orange hair, green eyes, and a big smile.
- Julia is depicted as a curious and creative child who enjoys painting, singing, and playing with her friends on Sesame Street. She can be shy at times and is sensitive to loud noises and other sensory stimuli.
- Julia has a toy rabbit named Fluffster that she carries with her wherever she goes. Fluffster provides comfort and companionship to Julia and helps to regulate her emotions.
- Julia's inclusion on Sesame Street has been praised by autism advocates and experts for its positive impact on the autism community. Her character has helped to reduce stigma, promote understanding, and encourage acceptance of autism among young viewers.
- Julia's character has also helped to educate children and families about different communication styles and strategies that can be used when interacting with someone who has autism. For example, in one Sesame Street episode, Julia teaches her friends about the importance of taking turns and using clear and simple language when communicating with someone with autism.
- Julia has a unique way of processing information and communicating, which is typical of some individuals with autism. For instance, she may take longer to process and respond to questions or may express herself through nonverbal communication, such as pointing or using gestures.
- Julia has been featured in several books, including "We're Amazing, 1, 2, 3!," "My Brother Charlie," and "Julia's House for Lost Creatures." These books provide additional opportunities for children and families to learn about autism and to promote understanding and acceptance.
- Julia's character has also been recognized by several organizations and advocacy groups for her positive impact on the autism community. In 2019, she was honored with a Special Recognition Award from the Autism Society of America for her contributions to autism awareness and acceptance.
- Julia's character has been praised for her positive impact on children with autism and their families. According to a survey conducted by Sesame Workshop, 94% of parents of children with autism who watched Julia's episodes on Sesame Street reported that their children had a better understanding of autism and were more accepting of differences.
- Julia's character has been embraced by the autism community and has helped to promote greater awareness and understanding of autism around the world. In 2019, Julia was introduced as a character on Sesame Street in South Africa, marking the first time that the character had been introduced outside of the United States.
- Julia's character has also inspired many children and families affected by autism to share their own stories and experiences. Through social media and other online platforms, families have shared pictures and stories of their children playing with Julia and other Sesame Street characters, creating a sense of community and connection.
- Julia's character has also been involved in various initiatives and campaigns to promote autism awareness and acceptance. In 2018, Sesame Workshop launched the "See Amazing in All Children" initiative, which aimed to educate children and families about autism and to promote understanding and acceptance.
- Julia's character has been recognized by several organizations and initiatives for her positive impact on the autism community. In 2021, Julia was included on Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people, in the "Icons" category, for her contributions to autism awareness and acceptance.
Julia in Popular Culture
Julia's character has become a popular figure in popular culture and has inspired many works of art, literature, and media. Here are some examples:
In 2017, the Autism Society of America partnered with Sesame Workshop to launch a "Julia" app, which includes digital storybooks, videos, and other resources for children with autism and their families.
In 2019, Sesame Workshop released a song titled "The Amazing Song," which features Julia and other Sesame Street characters singing about celebrating differences and accepting others for who they are.
Julia has been featured in several Sesame Street Live shows, where children can see her character in person and engage with her through interactive performances.
Julia has been the subject of several academic studies and research projects, which have focused on her impact on autism awareness and acceptance.
Julia has also been featured in several pieces of merchandise, including plush toys, books, and apparel. These products provide additional opportunities for children and families to learn about autism and to promote understanding and acceptance.
Julia has also been referenced in other TV shows and media outside of Sesame Street. For example, in the TV show "Speechless," the main character JJ is shown wearing a Julia T-shirt in one episode, highlighting the importance of autism representation in popular culture.
Julia was featured in a series of public service announcements produced by the Ad Council in partnership with Sesame Workshop and the Autism Speaks organization. These PSAs aim to increase understanding and acceptance of autism and promote early screening and diagnosis.
Julia has been featured in various news articles and interviews, where her impact on autism awareness and acceptance is discussed. For example, in 2019, Julia's character was featured in a Time Magazine article about the importance of autism representation in children's media.
Julia has also been featured in comic books and graphic novels, such as "Sesame Street: A Celebration of 50 Years and Counting!" which includes a story featuring Julia and other Sesame Street characters.
Julia's character has also been included in educational resources for teachers and parents, such as lesson plans and activities that promote autism awareness and acceptance.
In 2020, Sesame Workshop released a special episode of Sesame Street titled "The Power of We," which features Julia and other characters discussing racism and the importance of inclusion and acceptance.
Julia's character has also inspired other TV shows and movies to feature characters with autism, such as "Atypical" and "The Good Doctor." These shows help to increase representation and promote understanding of autism in popular culture.
Julia's character has also been featured in several international versions of Sesame Street, including Sesame Street Mexico and Sesame Street China. This highlights the global impact of her character and the importance of autism representation in different cultures and communities.
Julia's character has been featured in several public awareness campaigns, such as the "See Amazing in All Children" campaign, which aims to increase understanding and acceptance of autism and promote early screening and diagnosis.
Julia's character has also been recognized by several awards and organizations for her positive impact on the autism community, including the Toy Industry Association's "Toy of the Year" award in 2018 for the "Julia" plush toy.
Julia's Speech and Communication Style
Julia, as a character on Sesame Street, speaks in a manner that is typical of a young child, with simple sentences and a vocabulary appropriate for her age. However, as a character with autism, Julia may communicate differently from other characters on the show, and her speech patterns may reflect some of the challenges that individuals with autism may face in social communication.
Here are some examples of what Julia says and how she communicates:
Repetition: Julia often repeats key phrases or words, which can help her to process information and understand what is being said to her. For example, in one episode, Julia repeats the phrase "my bunny" several times while playing with her toy rabbit, Fluffster.
Nonverbal communication: Julia sometimes communicates through gestures or other nonverbal cues, such as pointing, nodding, or making facial expressions. In one episode, Julia uses sign language to communicate with a new friend who is deaf.
Literal language: Julia may take language more literally than other characters on the show, which can lead to misunderstandings or confusion. For example, in one episode, Julia takes the phrase "paint the town" literally and tries to paint the entire town with her paintbrush.
Delayed response: Julia may take longer to respond to questions or prompts, as she processes information differently than other characters on the show. In one episode, Julia takes a few moments to respond when asked if she wants to play a game with her friends.
Special interests: Julia often talks about topics that interest her, such as playing with her toy rabbit or painting pictures. In one episode, Julia spends time creating a painting that represents how she feels.
Sensory experiences: Julia sometimes talks about the sensory experiences she has as a child with autism, such as the sensory overload she sometimes experiences in noisy or crowded environments. In one episode, Julia uses a pair of headphones to help her cope with a noisy environment.
What does Julia Say?
- "My bunny" (referring to her toy rabbit)
- "Flap, flap, flap" (when she is feeling excited or overwhelmed)
- "Painting makes me happy" (when discussing her love of painting)
- "It's too noisy" (when discussing her difficulty with sensory processing)
- "I need a break" (when feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated)
- "Can I watch?" (when she wants to observe an activity before participating)
- "That feels good" (when discussing a positive sensory experience)
- "I like routines" (when discussing the importance of structure and predictability)
Julia's Likes and Dislikes
Julia, a character on Sesame Street who is portrayed as a young child with autism, has a variety of likes and dislikes that are typical of children her age, as well as some that reflect the characteristics of individuals with autism. Here are some examples:
Likes:
- Painting and drawing
- Playing with her toy rabbit, Fluffster
- Singing and dancing
- Playing with her friends on Sesame Street
- Having a routine and a predictable schedule
- Sensory experiences that feel good, such as the feeling of sand or water
- Observing before participating in an activity
- Using her noise-cancelling headphones to block out distracting sounds
- Expressing her emotions through movement and sound
Dislikes:
- Loud or sudden noises
- Being touched without warning
- Sudden changes in routine or plans
- Overwhelming or overstimulating environments
- Unfamiliar or unexpected situations
- Certain textures or sensations that feel uncomfortable or painful
- Difficulty with social interactions, especially when she is not sure what to do or say
Julia's Favorite Songs
Julia, a character on Sesame Street who is portrayed as a young child with autism, has shown a love for music and singing. While she has not expressed specific preferences for songs, here are some examples of songs that Julia has been shown to enjoy singing or dancing to:
- "The Alphabet Song"
- "If You're Happy and You Know It"
- "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"
- "Sunny Days" (the theme song to Sesame Street)
- "I Love Trash" (a song famously sung by Oscar the Grouch)
- "C is for Cookie" (a song famously sung by Cookie Monster)
- "What I Am" (a song about self-acceptance, performed by Will.i.am and the Sesame Street cast)