Julia, First ‘Sesame Street’ Muppet With Autism, Brings Diversity And Understanding To Kids | TODAY

A new Muppet named Julia is joining the diverse and inclusive “Sesame Street” crew that has been part of so many childhoods. TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager reports on how the new character was introduced to foster understanding of autism spectrum disorders, after which Julia joins TODAY live, along with her Muppet friend Abby Cadabby and Sherrie Westin from Sesame Workshop.
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Julia, First ‘Sesame Street’ Muppet With Autism, Brings Diversity And Understanding To Kids | TODAY

[@ThePuggyLover]

I'm autistic and I never thought I'd say this because of Sesame Street, but I'm crying because I have never been happier in my life.

[@justinsigler1565]

AudreyThePug i feel u

[@kkerr1993]

AudreyThePug Same here. I have Asperger's

[@justinsigler1565]

Kimberly Ellen me 2

[@MitchellShilling]

AudreyThePug I have autism too!

[@MitchellShilling]

Kimberly Ellen Me too!

[@kimberleymorris8052]

I'm autistic and I love Julia. I've literally cried since I've seen her muppet. It's been a long time coming and she is needed BADLY. Plus with Abby's description omg I'm crying so much

[@SuperstarCandy]

Kim Morris I have autism too and I also love Julia

[@nuclearpotato9370]

Kimberley Morris REEEEEEE

[@DeadRaymanWalking]

I have autism as well, and ever since Julia became a newcomer on Sesame Street, she has been my favorite Sesame Street character.

[@Klonoa-yb6rt]

Me too!

[@67nairb]

I once thought all autistic people didn't talk.

[@char_shine]

the hand flaps are a really nice touch to the character. and her rubbing her little plush to her face. cute and relatable!

[@iamcorinward]

Yep she's stimming its awesome

[@67nairb]

what little plush? her rabbit doll?

[@nayieramahmoud7834]

charshine question I will be in my new

[@brian4life661]

@@67nairb 1. we have the same first name. And 2. Yep! Fluffster aka. Her rabbit doll

[@67nairb]

@@brian4life661 thank you.

[@CeltycSparrow]

I love how protective Abby is of Julia. I have seen the first episode where they introduced Ms. Julia to the Sesame Street family and Abby was right there with her helping her make friends with Big Bird. It was really sweet. I especially liked how Abby and Elmo didn't treat Julia different. To them, she was just a friend they wanted to have fun with....drawing, playing tag, singing. She was no different than them. They were sensitive to her when she was feeling upset, but they didn't make a big deal of it. When she came back, they welcomed her right back into the game.

[@Shanethefilmmaker]

Plus that aside, Abby and Elmo were considered the youngest characters on Sesame Street. Eternally children. Now they have a chance to become a big brother and a big sister to Julia.

[@emmarose4234]

@@Shanethefilmmaker , Julia is chronologically older than the two (she is four and E&A are three). I know she didn’t come along until recently, but…

[@hailycharles5600]

Julia is My Best Friend in the World!!! I take my Julia plush toy, everywhere I go! Love, Mahhailya Charles.

[@emmarose4234]

@@hailycharles5600, you know whom I really want to appear on the show? Julia’s (also Autistic, more verbal) friend Randy from the book “Circle of Friends”. He has his own comfort object: his stuffed elephant Peanut.

[@CeltycSparrow]

@@hailycharles5600 I am glad you have her. :) My little nephew is Julia's age and he also has Autism. Aspbergers. Like Julia, he doesn't like big noises or large crowds. Julia has actually taught me how to better love my nephew. Its been most helpful. And because of this, my nephew and I have a very special bond. And may I say....you have a very beautiful name. I've not heard that one before.

[@val358]

This makes my cry of happiness. Although I don't have Autism, it really warms my heart to see that children's shows are showing diversity.

[@aroacefrog]

I have mild autism,and I’m happy there are people like you in this world :3

[@heathersautismjourney]

I'm glad too and I also have high functioning autism. Thank you so much for your support, Valentina. It means a lot 😊

[@SaraHouck461]

@@heathersautismjourney I just wish kids in and out of the spectrum would have more time to spend with one another (in between school time, to be more precise), because friends may not always have time to spend with one another regardless, in which the more legitimate reason would be the "cat's in the cradle" trope easily getting in the way, which mainly has to do with work schedules.

[@phasehotdog503]

@@SaraHouck461 this episode was amazing for little kids to learn about autism and Sesame Street handled it with care and it was beautiful 🥲

[@derekllewellyn6663]

​@@phasehotdog50350th birthday anniversary celebration party years documenty biography book of Life in magazine for story ture life movie all about session starts sesame street in side effects of TV show

[@bridgettwright4857]

Great job Seasme Street. My son have autism and this will be a great show to connect with. Also, the parents with kids of the autism spectrum appreciate this being globalized like it is!

[@arjunb8615]

Bridgett Houston It is a great message from Sesame Street!

[@3mptyvoids492]

My little brother has autism and when i saw the title of this video, i said "OMG this is amazing.". I love when shows show diversity, especially in kids shows like this one.

[@arjunb8615]

Hahahaha Nope Exactly!

[@emilyannthevioletghost715]

My mom and I definitely do! I have autism, my mom was mostly the one who worked with me at home, and I grew up watching a lot of TV, Sesame Street being THE clearest TV memory I've got. It helped me understand situations and other things I otherwise would have trouble with, ranging from making friends to counting. And now, Sesame Street has a sweetheart on the Autism Spectrum, and it warms both me and my mom. Julia, you've got NO idea how needed you are for those on the Autism Spectrum

[@maazkalim]

{ONLY-&-only to the OP and "upvoters": }Sesame Workshop.* There! FTFY 😊

[@caltounite5814]

I'm autistic too. I seen many documentaries and tv shows about young people who has autism and now Sesame Street has one too! Welcome to our world, Julia!

[@ShaDHP23]

Growing up with autism wasn't easy. My family and my school staff were very unaccepting and difficult, but seeing Julia happy and included makes me feel happy. She makes me feel like I'm not as alone as I was when I was growing up. Like me, Julia is not very vocal, but also like me, you can see there's much going on inside just by looking at her face. I like how Julia is portrayed. She's a good character.

[@fairymairah]

I Hope you have a Better place to Live !

[@ShaDHP23]

@@fairymairah thank you. So do I.

[@Shiny_Misty]

As someone who has Asperger's, learning about Julia filled my heart with emotions. Sure, I'm more on the high functioning side of Autism, but that doesn't mean I don't have it, and the little details Julia does just makes me feel "yea...I do that, too." Even in this interview alone. It is a blink and you miss it sort of thing, but Julia started rubbing her stuffed toy on her face. That, alone, makes me realize "this topic is in good hands." Those little details are important as well. A lot of people woth Autism like touching things (And I am no exception) and, at least for me, I do it so much it has become second nature. And not only that...I love Abby too. She reminds me of my sister, trying her hardest to make me feel "normal" and inform everyone around me that "yes, I do have Autism. No, I am not ignoring you, I just have a hard time." I know these two are Muppets and will most likely never grow up, but I can just see Abby staying by Julia's side through thick and thin, because Abby would pretty much know what Julia is probably thinking. What I am trying to say, I guess, is that, not only am I really happy Sesame Street added Julia to their family, but also gave her a loyal friend who understands her. That is also very important for young kids to learn. That, yea, someone might act really different from you, but that doesn't mean you can't be friends.

[@derekllewellyn6663]

Do you know I have it before I was born kid before boy last time

[@MelonTartVA]

I have autism myself. I'm glad that Sesame Street is bringing in a character with autism to help children learn about it

[@DeadRaymanWalking]

Same. And I'm autistic, too :-)

[@mickenziedavis3068]

I agree. And I have Autism as well.

[@hanaritos]

My sister has autism too and I am also very happy bout this!

[@lailaskate]

Melon Tart I also have autism

[@aroacefrog]

I do too!

[@FinneganBeck]

It makes me really happy when Abby says, "She does things just a little bit differently. In a Julia sort of way." My friends describe me like this a lot, because I'm not like anyone else. And recently I've been diagnosed as Autistic, so it's nice to see stuff and be like 'Hey, I do that.'

[@heathersautismjourney]

Same, I'm autistic and Julia does some things I do too

[@donnyshields4450]

Who's that on your profile picture?

[@FinneganBeck]

@@donnyshields4450 A Picrew of me :)

[@reeses_unicorn]

I get it. I have autism, myself, and it's awesome how relatable Julia is. :) For one thing, I've never liked finger painting (Or painting, in general, really.).

[@SaraHouck461]

@@reeses_unicorn IKR? If they keep this up, this can hopefully lead to an influx of testimonials involving friendships between autistics and neurotypicals!

[@thecrazyman7213]

i don't have autism but this makes me happy knowing that sesame street can help kids who are struggling

[@shannonsmith1522]

My son is autistic, but you know everyone struggles in all different types of ways, I struggle myself. its called being human

[@redscrochetedstuff3266]

I'm a 24 year old with autism. And I absolutely love Julia. I don't watch sesame Street any more, but I did to see her first episode. I showed it to my nephew Layne, who was 5 at the time, and said I am like her I have autism too. And he said why is she not like me. I had to explain to him that there are different degrees of autism you understood after I explained it to him he understood. so sesame Street is doing a good job of teaching kids about autism.

[@lazyb3e]

Julia is adorable~ I already love her the moment they introduced her 🤗💕

[@kevinpascual9582]

I hate julia

[@hellotoltecs]

i have autism and oh my lord i absolutely love the non-offensive autism representation. a lot of the things that julia does, i do too and im so happy to see more positive rep. the hand flaps, the comfort plush, everything i love. tysm to my childhood show.

[@AinosArtsNL]

When Julia rubbed her bunny against her face I cried cuz I do exactly the same with my plush animals as an 27 year old xD

[@jeopardy60611]

Sesame Street has always fascinated me, ever since I was a little kid watching it in the early 70s. It's so cool how they have kept doing new stuff, and teaching some of the same and some different concepts, over the last 48 years. It's so nice that they teach the concept of an autistic kid by showing how Julia acts, and they play out everybody accepting her and enjoying her as a friend. All too often, kids acting like Julia get bullied and talked about behind their backs. I may have Asperger's, so that would be high-functioning autism, and I probably did some of the things that Julia did. My biggest problem was that I didn't always know how to answer people when they would talk to me, so it was sort of a learning curve. I also had trouble dealing with school work concerning subjects I wasn't familiar with. But I did develop computer and music abilities at a young age.

[@whycantijusthaveausernameo3993]

That's really cool to see, It really hit a cord with me personally seeing her react to loud noises. I used to go to theaters with cotton balls in my ears to ease the sound.

[@maazkalim]

struck a chord* There! FTFY 😊

[@schelleluzius6527]

I'm not autistic but I do have sensitive ears and I also don't like loud noises like sirens

[@mebroflovskis]

julia is honestly so pretty. julia was a great choice for the show. elmo was my big childhood and now that julia is a new character i know little ones will love her 🖤

[@hadden_whitaker_2003]

Wait til I make a adult cartoon on her

[@sprinkelle1165]

parappatherapper340 Whitaker 😐 please don’t .

[@hiimyorkie7334]

This makes me smile, I found out I have autism and I was heartbroken. My little brother, Has ADHD and autism. I can't wait to show him this so he can understand a bit better!

[@kevinwade5681]

I love how Julia rubs Flufster on her face to relax, my daughter does the same thing with her favorite stuffed animal.

[@oliviadurand2429]

Every kid with ASD needs a friend like Abby, she’s just there for Julia no matter what, and just loves her. I love this, so much. I’m so glad that Sesame Street is still making episodes and it still airs, it’s so important and it warms my heart to see them tackle so many important issues from a kids point of view so that it’s easier to understand for the kids watching it. Sesame Street is genuinely the best TV show for kids!

[@tuki6364]

This is great! I am glad they are doing projects like this to make the world more inclusive and accepting of the condition.

[@maazkalim]

the nation* There! FTFY 😊 This is just for the U S of A or parts of Canada - perhaps. Not the whole world, as yet. The part about “global World” was a reference to wiping off that American hubris, by helping the viewers become: World-citizens.

[@CMG439]

Yes

[@DJMiaMoonBaby]

Don’t forget us autistic children turn into autistic adults. This was beautiful to see 😭

[@lexgraham7820]

I work with autistic children almost everyday and i have to say im crying.This is so amazing.

[@PokiDoki-]

even though I'm not autistic, this is beautiful

[@juliasandiego1977]

Oh my god. My heart breaks so much I might be in tears 😍😢. I even have the same name as her and i have a younger brother who was diagnosed with autism. I am so glad Sesame Street added something the whole world should know

[@floridadad2817]

I love watching the scenes with Julia. My son is on the autism spectrum and since his diagnosis I've figured out I probably am too. What really makes me so happy though is all you adult aged folks making comments here who also have Autism. You give me hope that he's going to be talking to me someday. I've been waiting 4 years to hear him call me Dad. Someday.

[@beatricebeathyraneniute2298]

I'm also Austistic, like Julia, but she is such an inspiring girl in Sesame Street. I really like her very much. 😊

[@arjunb8615]

those 3 dislikes What Are You doing with your life?

[@pumamountainlion7777]

Manchester M I am advocating for the end of autism spectrum of brain damage and impairments.

[@arjunb8615]

Seeing Clearly Media Why? ( I would like to understand where you are coming from)

[@arjunb8615]

Seeing Clearly Media So Are you saying people with autism shouldn't have rights?

[@pumamountainlion7777]

Manchester M people who have autism can have rights that includes the right to have a cure. That's the right I am standing up for however no the anti-cure can't have welfare or any kind of accommodations that he would not need had he accepted a cure.

[@cindynymph]

Seeing Clearly Media Autism cannot hurt you. It doesn't damage your brain. It just makes your brain work differently. And not all people with Autism want a cure. So unless you experienced it, you wouldn't understand.

[@jacqlyn04]

Im watching this and im just so proud of how kid shows are showing awareness of things such as autism. I dont have it but im happy to see that those in the comments that have it are very happy about this.

[@maazkalim]

‘Sesame Street® U.S.’ is not just any “kids show”, though! The very fact that Free Market would botch this, _i.e._ if there ever was a for-profit endgame attached: Makes it dangerously unique.

[@ThePirateprincess23]

I think that Julia is a great edition to Sesame Street. I work with special needs kids (including autism) and seeing Julia just made me smile and how Abby says that even though we are all different, we can still be friends is just super sweet.

[@jwiese100]

Coming from someone on the spectrum i cried when I first saw Julia. Because Of how much I realized I relate to her. I means a lot to me that Sesame Street creates Julia.

[@annetteg4510]

my best friend is autistic and her name is Julia, when she saw this she was so happy

[@Choujifangirl]

I swear I wanna meet Stacy Gordon and give her a hug, the way she portrayed a person with autism made me cry not even joking as a 31 year old person with autism, the execution she did with Julia was perfect, absolutely spot on from the tactile sensitivity to the audio sensitivity to the motion she does with the arms everything about it is just flawless

[@YoursTrulyThe1Pony]

Julia reminds me of myself as a kid I didn't like loud noise, I was pretty much afraid of unfamiliar thing that most kids liked at my age, and I didn't talk much to anyone too. Love Julia so much

[@sammarsh4226]

my baby brother has high functioning autism so it's amazing to see this

[@snipermew0077]

Okay imma make one thing clear.......I don't give a flying crap if I'm 15 yrs old. I have autism and Julia is one of my favorite sesame street characters of all time . She deserve this spotlight.😇🥰😘

[@devlin_sumner_music_98]

This brand new Muppet looks pretty cool,I like it.

[@hailycharles5600]

I love Julia so much, I take my plush version of Julia everywhere I go! Because Julia and I both have Autism and we're both Amazing!!!

[@NaviNeku24]

I TOTALLY approve of this since my brother and some of my cousins are autistic. Thank you Sesame Street for doing this. 💚

[@nixfarrik6214]

Does anyone know when this episode is on? I'd love to watch it!

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

Nicola Newman April 10th

[@arjunb8615]

Monique Ocampo Thanks.

[@DesertCrochet]

I have autism too I am do glad sesame street has a sweet atustic charaecter.I love her so much❤😍

[@Sparky_drawings]

0:01 *abby dancing in the back*

[@sarahplatt5124]

Julia is my favorite Muppet. Because she has a disability and I have a disability too. We are showing our diversity to the world. I am so happy about that!

[@CatherineLee3000]

Julia is one of my favorite characters. She reminds me of myself. I was diagnosed with autism at age two.

[@kaylafrederic1137]

Aww I've always loves muppets and sesame street ever since I was little and I still do. I'm so happy to see all the diversity they bring and how well the show still is. I think doing things like this and having a wide variety of characters is important and I can see by reading the comments many people are happy to see Julia as a new character.

[@natashavirani7459]

Glad to be finally seeing a character that has difficulties in their life. Finally I have someone to relate to because I have learnings difficulties. I may not have autism but I still feel like I still can relate. Julia is an amazing character and if Sesame Street countinues having diverse characters I feel the world would be more accepting.

[@thattheatrejen9987]

This is the sweetest! So much love for their new project!

[@JasmineLillian2007]

Thank You So Much For Creating This Character Julia Because I Have Autism To But I Don’t Flap My Hands And I Can Talk Normally And I Can Express Things But I Have A Hard Time Staring A Conversation At School I Only Feel Shy At School But Not At Home Because I’m More Comfortable At Home Because When Your At Home Feel That Way Because It’s Your Family But School.... Is Different Because Sometimes You Have To Be Quiet While The Teacher Is Talking I Know What It’s Like To Have Autism

[@kuronekiki]

When my mom told me I might be on the spectrum. I didn't understand what autism was until she told me some of the behaviors that autism kids have. And noticed that I have some of those same behaviors. But I was never confirmed that I had autism. My mom never got me a psychological evaluation to see if I had it. But before I turn 18 my mom is going to get a psychological evaluation to see if I have autism. But seeing Julia makes me happy to see autism is being represented in a good light.

[@cookiekittycutie2502]

I have autism too

[@mackenziealtenburg7441]

Cookie kitty Cutie so do I.

[@jillsmith5569]

I am thankful for Julia. My 3 year old and 4 year old are on the autism spectrum and it is wonderful to see a kiddo just like them. Thank you Sesame street!

[@Ari-rb4zc]

I have autism and I am very happy that in sesame street have Julia

[@madeleinemcgregor2855]

Julia is so adorable and I can really relate to her because I have autism as well.

[@CMBGAMER2018TV]

I have autism, and Julia makes me feel better about things.

[@lizmorganjake]

My nephew has autism, and it warms my heart that one of the most iconic childrens shows is helping kids understand what autism means. And on a personal note, I never thought I would learn as much from my nephew as he has learned from me. He's six and absolutely precious.

[@carolinemanley9216]

As a female on the spectrum I’m tearing up. Thank you Sesame Street.

[@hyperbabe2009]

I’m an autistic female too. I’ve heard parents say they’ve seen amazing results since Julia was introduced.

[@rockyhollows]

This is one of the most amazing things i have ever seen from Sesame Street

[@mistamemewide]

Oh I’ve been waiting for this day for years.

[@BillyButcher90]

Having Julia on the show brings tears to my eyes because of how much I relate to her. 😊

[@ItsChurchieYall]

im so happy so much good has come we need julia

[@rainstarflowerdroplets9624]

She's adorable I just love Julia

[@aroacefrog]

I can relate to what Julia goes through, because I have autism! I love this!

[@laylam7979]

Wow. One video helped me understand myself SO much more. Thanks, Sesame Street.

[@puppetshack4931]

So great for Abby being there for Julia as her buddy & speaking a little bit for her.

[@eyezodiotic3197]

She’s adorable...hhh ❤️❤️

[@notyourgrammascrafts]

I dont know why im emotional but im crying my eyes out my son oa 25 and this is so great

[@anxiouspotato526]

Julia protection agency is here and happy to Serve!✌️👍🤗

[@imnotemoipromise7561]

This is great because my brother has autism, my fruend has autism. My other fruends brother has it to. This brings a smile to my face 😊

[@aliens3219]

frisk the human you must be a good fruend

[@TheSoftballstar1261]

I'm a person with autism as well, I am so happy to see that they have added Julia!

[@thegoddessofedge]

yO my name is Julia and I have Asperger's. She's my favorite and I love her.

[@Umbra_Magna777]

The Goddess Of Edge I have Asperger’s, too. :)

[@fatimasarah.5374]

This makes my heart so happy

[@CMG439]

That's so kind of Sesame Street, Even though I'm not a little kid anymore, I'm still a teen and I have autism, Now this makes me happy

[@Mylittleponyfan-tf2mw]

I have autism love sesame street and juila

[@Heavilune]

i have aspergers syndrome and im happy that they are making charcters with ASD X3

[@Moocow2003]

She's so cute!

[@stonecoldgamer5222]

I may not have it but autism is a sad thing for people I think it will open eveone eyes and hope they see what may be friends they know.

[@alexy_08]

Okay, I cried. This is why I love Sesame Street

[@thejoeker3947]

The voice of Julia in the app story is the daughter of my high school teacher

[@LoganFlores]

I also do have autism and I'm very happy that Julia got brought to life in this show! :)

[@sugar-rice]

Oof the puppeteers that had to be under the table

[@maazkalim]

Double-entendre!?!

[@christiancastillo9892]

She’s so cute luv her

[@QueenShireen]

I love Julia so much.

[@Melissa0774]

I wonder what Temple Grandin thinks about this.

[@emilou2861]

I'm sure she'd love it/ appreciate it

[@heathersautismjourney]

Yes she would!

[@quiettornado1970]

... but some autism people aren't even diagnosed till some reach the age of 60. In 2012, I was suspected to be Asperger, but because it was so mild, they said that they don't think it's necessary to include it in the report.

[@anshikasoni74]

Most beautiful Muppet..I love Julia

[@jessiecarlson8492]

So happy theirs Julia.

[@revolutionforjapan]

Thanks Sesame Street. I have a different developmental disorder but appreciate it.

[@kjag23]

Abby is that ride or die friend we all hope for in life =) I love this ❤️

[@israeljingco1259]

I am crying

[@sillesbrowne3561]

I keep thinking about the person crouched under that news table controlling Abby, and the straight faces everyone else needs to keep.

[@yoshitheaquarius3026]

I love Julia :’3

[@michaelcaza-schonberger9282]

Kudos to Sesame Street though, hope it gives kids on the spectrum a better life as I was severely bullied to the point of suicide attempts when I was a kid. Simply because of my autism.

[@Umbra_Magna777]

Michael Caza-Schonberger Hi! I have autism as well and I’m sorry you had such a difficult childhood. No one should ever be bullied and made to want to end their life simply for being different . I hope you were able to get the help you needed, and please remember that you are amazing and that you’re not alone!

[@CMG439]

I have it too, but I was never bullied, I'm so sorry for you. :(

[@biohazardeclipse9577]

This makes me feel so happy... It makes me wanna cry because it makes me feel better about having autism...

[@elizabethWramirez]

Tears of joy.

[@dtsuga.6034]

This is so sweet :)

[@themr.wchannel7687]

Julia is pretty likeable

[@mspickle8715]

I don’t have autism but I know someone who does but this is so cool that this show is opening up about this and shedding light on it

[@sprinkelle1165]

This is very amazing I love how their using Sesame Street to have positive inclusion! It really makes me happy and feel accepted :)