Julia (Sesame Street)

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Julia is a fictional character on the children's television program Sesame Street, known for being the first Sesame Street character with autism. She is a yellow Anything Muppet with short red hair and green eyes.[note 1] Her outfit consists of a dark pink tunic, a light pink T-shirt, green pants, and black flats. The character premiered on television on 12 April 2017, though she was introduced in “digital form” in 2015.[1] Her debut marked a new phase of Sesame Workshop’s autism awareness initiative, “Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children”, which provides resources “designed to serve autistic children and their families”.[2] The character is performed by puppeteer Stacey Gordon, who has a son with autism.[3] Julia Bascom of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network was consulted to create the character Julia.[4] In 2019, the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network ended its partnership with Sesame Street after PSAs featuring Julia promoted an initiative for Autism Speaks.[5]

Character history[]

Over the course of four television seasons, a Sesame Street episode from each season starring Julia has premiered simultaneously on HBO and PBS on the same day in April, which is recognized as Autism Awareness Month. These shows include Julia's introductory episode (No. 4715), "Shape Hunt" (No. 4821), "Julia's Haircut" (No. 4921), and "The Fluffster Kerfuffle" (No. 5021). This departs from a previously established deal between HBO and Sesame Workshop, in which first-run episodes on the network air on PBS following a nine-month window. These episodes have also premiered on the second Monday in April, which deviates from HBO's regular airing of Sesame Street episodes on Saturdays.

Notes[]

  1. ^ In scenes where a greenscreen is used, her eyes are blue.

References[]

  1. ^ "Meet Julia | Sesame Street and Autism". Sesame Street and Autism. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  2. ^ "Sesame Workshop Expands Commitment to Autistic Children & Their Families - Sesame Workshop". Sesame Workshop. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  3. ^ "Newest "Sesame Street" Muppet has autism: Meet Julia". CBS News. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  4. ^ Martinelli, Marissa (April 12, 2017). "An Autism Advocate Explains How She Helped Sesame Street Create Its New Autistic Muppet". Slate Magazine. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  5. ^ "ASAN Has Ended Partnership With Sesame Street". Autistic Self-Advocacy Network. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
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