Meet Julia, Sesame Street's first autistic muppet

New character introduced as part of initiative to take the stigma out of autism makes TV debut on April 10
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[@jessepony5]

This makes me feel so good I've never seen a kids show with an autistic character because my brother is actually autistic my prayers go out to all of your autistic relatibes

[@laurasohn8332]

God has a plan for those kids just as much as everyone else. they're his instruments too

[@wayfarinstranger2444]

Amen to that!!! Thank you for stating this fact.

[@schaefer76]

Amen back. And you are welcome. :)

[@rinb4599]

thank you! As an autistic person my heart is warmed~

[@shelbypaxton3307]

This makes me so happy. While student teaching I have worked with many kids on the spectrum and it feels nice to have some representation for them. Introducing this to kids at a young age is hopefully going to help them realize not everyone has the same social and emotional levels as they might have.

[@bathtubroo3237]

this melted my heart its so nice

[@ying-draws3476]

Mine too QwQ, my sister has Autism...l

[@peterearley9579]

Yurdlesh I know!

[@magicalpeanut9298]

I love this. Thank you! - 16 year old with aspergers

[@Taryn_Hill]

Hello! I'm 34 with aspergers. I wish they had her when I watched this as a kid.

[@checkfoldcallraise]

I think she's adorable. when I was a kid in the 80's I couldn't wait for sesame street to start. It was so fun. Not only am I glad to see it still on the air, it's also nice to see the show evolve with the times.

[@courtneygrier2015]

I watched the episode introducing Julia and she is just so adorable! She is what made me realize I might (not sure) also be on the spectrum, because of some similar habits as a child. Remembering the crushing memory of the tornado siren as a kid-- sounded as if noise could suffocate you. We were all playing in the yard when it went off as a test and I was the only one that panicked. I'd find bizarre shapes in ordinary things and not go near them because of fear. Phobias, tics and habits that were peculiar in nature but made perfect sense to me. Sesame Street has such a wonderful way about introducing characters and the show brings me to happy tears to this day!

[@AndrewHager02]

If Julia ever met Cookie Monster, I'll bet she'd laugh at every time he'd eat a cookie. I know I did when I was a kid.

[@jk09345568]

Yep. I kind of did when I was a kid too.

[@hugoportillo582]

Hahahaha awesome!

[@Marvelsdisneydreamuniverse]

Cookie monster was also my favorite. He still is. I am a bit of a Cookie Monster my myself.

[@iristhevampiress]

As an adult with Asperger's Syndrome who is also a huge Jim Henson's Works fan, I admit I was skeptical at first when they announced Julia would be a newcomer to the Sesame Street crew. Her behaviors and patterns are spot on with how I acted as a child so thank goodness they didn't go with a similar stigma that the 1980's movie "Rain Man" portrayed!

[@blazebrown9102]

My grandson is autistic and attends Junior High he's happy about this part of his development of life, also speaks quite intelligently. I love and am proud of my grandson. Good job Sesame Street. 👏❤🙇🙆🙏🙌❤

[@sleepyyghostt]

this makes me so happy!!!!! im autistic and i never see autistic characters in anything and this is just so amazing!!!!!!!!!!

[@40GamesAG]

I only found out about her a few hours ago and I already love her! She's going to fit right in on Sesame Street, I know she will!

[@sculder85]

dragonflyzART I have 2 autistic sons and this brings happy tears to my eyes!

[@mexicangodzilla2129]

dragonflyzART Clarence is one

[@michaelpritchett9856]

dragonflyzART same here.

[@michaelpritchett9856]

***** I have Asperger's Syndrome.

[@moe5091]

This is one of the pure things left on this planet.

[@Potterhead-wg7vz]

I saw this episode and I almost cried tears of joy. I guess there’s hope for humanity after all

[@nebulatraveler3135]

I personally think this is wonderful.

[@dhbkvnvinci3246]

Lots of love to Sesame Street

[@verysmallcat]

why are there so many rude comments here. who the h*ll cares? maybe it'll be a nicer world for people in next the generation

[@verysmallcat]

Faith Adams its a sesame street video, i felt it was not in my morals. why is that where you draw your "line of respect"

[@AndrewHager02]

You make a very sound argument, Ryan. And quite a valid one at that.

[@potatoarmy1072]

would making the "reddit got to her first" be ok?

[@potatoarmy1072]

joke be ok*

[@potatoarmy1072]

Faith Adams im assuming auto correct changed potato to pluto?

[@lanceelliott2504]

I really want a character with anxiety or PAD on sesame street

[@g.a.a.633]

this is awesome!

[@skullyface1]

Sesame Street is by far the best thing for kids. I wish I would've known about Sesame Street as a kid.

[@donnaromano9827]

My daughter is autistic. Thank you Sesame Street for increasing awareness and acceptance for these awesome kids

[@graphicdefault603]

teens and adults arguing about a childrens tv show. Sad.

[@schaefer76]

Graphic Default How? I'm not sure I understand

[@graphicdefault603]

Just another Hank Hill Account it's sad that most teens and adults are arguing about a character on a childrens tv show. like seriously you have nothing better to do ?

[@kitijaozola4527]

Brothers,sisters and childrens of parents and teens will be watching this show.They must argue if it is apropriate for them.

[@bebbycute]

being diagnosed autistic and adhd (among other things) at 23 was the biggest gift for me to realize I ACTUALLY AM VERY NORMAL and actually am deeply amazing because of the amount of adversity i continuously overcome. bless sesame street for this representation as someone who has higher support needs & cannot mask.

[@gigglyfitzgirl]

This is awesome and all but my concern is....who on earth is voicing for Big Bird now? He sounds terrible. smh

[@TinyDancer500]

No, Caroll's understudy, Matt Vogel, is Big Bird in this episode. Caroll has been cutting back on his work due to his age. He's turned 83 in December and has been performing Big Bird and Oscar since 1969. The man needs a break now and then!

[@laurasohn8332]

do you know Vogel actually means Bird in German so go figure that one out

[@cpt.dr.hawkeye1740]

sonicjr24224 Actually Matt is doing the puppetry for Big Bird while Caroll is still doing the voice for his characters. This is Caroll Spinney not Matt Vogel. You can tell as Matt's Big Bird is nasally. This is Caroll. He dubs in his voice.

[@cpt.dr.hawkeye1740]

sonicjr24224 Correct.

[@piccolo9365]

gigglyfitzgirl you're grown, why do you care about the voice actor for a kids show

[@maryairem1981]

my little brother is Autistic and this is just so sweet!

[@ChrissyTooPrissy]

THIS warms my heart !!

[@toasty8120]

I really love that Sesame Street will tackle heavier subjects for children of the new generation.

[@ladynita7329]

I'm in tears of joy!!!!

[@JustCause2playa]

Lady Nita why. This is nothing groundbreaking

[@imani6441]

JustCause2playa it is. Parents of children with special needs like myself never get the joy of seeing characters that our kids can relate too. There's no need to be rude.

[@alexramey2062]

MY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPRESENTED!!!

[@ambiwhats2030]

I LOVE Julia but, in another clip I saw Elmo say that her and big bird have singing in common, I don't think k you can be on sesame Street without loving singing

[@PraveenSrJ01]

I’m also on the autistic spectrum and am going to turn 39 years old this year

[@tristanabbott8239]

this is really wonderful

[@vilcoyote22]

as an aspie on the spectrum, thank you sesame street^^ this is an awesome idea^^ never as a kid had someone acting close to how I did, and it's not a bad thing at all...peoples should learn on how different we can be as humans...different doesn't mean bad, it means that you have to adjust to the other^^

[@cpthuggyface2011]

Whatever you do, DO NOT SCROLL DOWN.

[@valeriehernandez5032]

This is beautiful💕

[@malaysiaross8650]

I'm glad they put a new character she is cute show it on TV she's my favorite character Julia

[@amazingwonders13]

I love this ❤️

[@laurenp.9618]

It's nice to see diverse characters in kids shows! I see the same things in every single show. The most disabilities is something that barely affects, (such as a slight speech impediment). Or something such as a physical disability. Good job! Maybe we will see an LGBT character or one who has anxiety. (I think Beauty and the Beast, the 2017 version, did a good job with this on the subject of Lefou)

[@Black_Hanekawa]

Don't read my profile picture!!!! I agree, kids shouldn't be introduced to all that gender nonsense at such a young age. Just imagine what they'll turn into...

[@jiifigmentforever]

How about we don't introduce all this social justice crap to kids and let this be now? These are kids! Let them learn their numbers and letters! Calm down a bit. They can't comprehend some of these larger concepts.

[@waitingforseason7please.215]

Don't read my profile picture!!!! The LBGT society arent freaks and it wouldn't poison their minds. I agree though that on a kids show I don't think there's a point to introducing LBGT to them as they won't really have to deal with much of that till they're mature enough. It would be nice to have a character with anxiety as it would not only help children understand the minds of fellow kids with anxiety but it would help anxious kids feel supported in times of need. (I personally, having anxiety, think if I had been taught about this stuff as a kid that maybe I wouldn't feel as bad sometimes about having it. I can't speak for everyone though.)

[@dashin999]

Keep the lgbt problems with the adult. Let the kids chose to become whatever he/she want. If she/he want to become apache helicopter, let them become one

[@thebossbaby2860]

A good one

[@hollychloesullivan]

😍😍😍Never thought I'd cry over flipping sesame Street!!

[@lightsout147]

1:52 I can see you're really excited you're jumping up and down like a rubber ball what the f*** is this a compliment or what

[@ambiwhats2030]

Lights Out to little kids it is

[@amandaleon6620]

Some autistic kids react a certain way with their emotions. Julia in this case, bounces up and down when she's excited. I believe they point it out and then added the rubber ball comment to explain to kids that it's a positive reaction. (kids love bouncing a rubber ball) This character and the dialogue around it are made to help not only Autistic kids relate to it, but for those who are family, friends, or caregivers who could learn from the interaction between the characters. I hope this answers your question.

[@lightsout147]

Amanda Leon so like me that I suffer from anxiety and I tweaked a little it would be fine for people to tell me hey you popping just like a shrimp maybe to you is fine but people who suffer from it dont like ppl pointing out their defects!!!

[@Tsumefan2]

most autistic children would take that as an insult or something like that or wouldn't get the joke at all believe me i have friends who are autistic and whenever i say a joke they look at me and say "um i don't get it..."

[@Mullethaver]

Lights Out the characters r toddlers

[@mariadelafayette386]

My cousin is autistic and this makes me so happy. I wanna show my aunt this because this is great and I just wanna say that I really love this.

[@danielluster732]

She's someone that I can relate to.

[@kaylahw6916]

Aww 😭❤

[@davidmoore9706]

we need a Muppet for the letter J!!

[@maggieklein1073]

Oh man, seeing Allan with grey hair makes me feel mad old...

[@kalyps30]

My son is autistic and mostly non-verbal. He flaps his arms and jumps. Repeating words.

[@EmoryM]

Kids imitate muppets, this will lead to normal kids acting autistic. Better not forget the legos.

[@barontaylor7139]

I loved it when they added Julia because I am on the spectrum so I can easily relate to Julia

[@julianguyen3539]

I love hearing my name in this video

[@gretagutierrez-colomer954]

It is very good to introduce Julia.

[@thessie]

This is so great

[@MickyAvStickyHands]

Elmo is gonna trick Julia into going to Vegas and counting cards. He needs that money. The tickle doll money ran out.

[@makkypak415]

That moment when you feel a bit of hope about yourself

[@nixienooo]

Growing up, Sesame Street helped me to be open-minded, I remember seeing Rosita (if that's how you spell her name) and that was my first realization that I can take pride in where my Mother's side is from.

[@nadyavonkarlshorst4244]

Julia is soo beautiful , what a wonderful Concept in our OVERloading MultiMedia-World to respect #autistic Souls. They deserve this ... Congrats, Sesame Street.

[@roadhousegamer]

I swear half of this comment section is making fun of autistic people that just sad 😔

[@zigzag8635]

Coming 2018, Tyrone, the first black muppet

[@ARCtheCartoonMaster]

So... Elmo doesn't count? He was played by a black guy, at least.

[@zigzag8635]

No, the puppet has to be black, not the voice actor

[@lisapennamacoor6259]

Meet Julia in Sesame Street

[@cartmanpilled]

I heard about this because I was in ELA class and we have this thing called "News ELA" where we read articles and take quizzes on the articles and we read an article about this and I was like "I'm watching Sesame Street now" and I decided I would look it up. So here I am.

[@bridgetnash1980]

I would have really liked to have something like this when I was a kid.

[@nodarkthings]

it's good that the corporate media is normalising this condition that is affecting more and more people

[@pamelabibby8642]

julia flaps her arms i understand I twiddle my hair I have aspergers I don't like how people are so nasty and call us handicapped

[@gonefishing6337]

Why would you dislike this?

[@ryanoldchief6054]

Wow this is innovation!!!

[@Ilovecats-ob4tu]

"Because Julia has" *"A U T I S M"*

[@RubyTheCloser]

I cried💗🧠😔🙂 I have ASDL1

[@kurshancox1929]

God bless them.

[@bongripshawty]

wheres her fidget spinner

[@edwardcreter3609]

I was born autistic, but I never needed a Muppet role model in that respect. To me, they were simply friends I cherished, whether or not they would return that love. I will say this, tho : you want early examples of mental illness : look no further than Big Bird for depression, Grover for bipolar, Kermit for withdrawal symptoms, Ernie and Bert for repressed sexuality, Cookie Monster for compulsion and Sniffy for possible paranoid persecution complex.

[@kacyouzu]

I'm triggered by them showing the people under the puppets

[@sroevukasroevuka]

Good idea. This is why sesame street has lasted so long.

[@ChanningAyers]

Love This So Much ❤❤

[@frank3132]

I have a friend that's autistic

[@BionicJohn]

Paris Z i am autistic

[@BionicJohn]

JustCause2playa i am being serious

[@Batigol500]

JustCause2playa Stop

[@jabba772]

What about a muppet with phemonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

[@kapneanimation]

THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!! this is how amazing animation and storytelling can improve people's lifes. #neurodiversity :)

[@jasonbowman9669]

When I heard about this I crapped a load of cookies.

[@altarush]

Not to sound like a hater but what I don't like is that say autistic children just do things differently, that is not totally precise thing to say. Geniuses do things differently.

[@grasynblack]

I'm not crying, you're crying

[@AlexReynard]

Hey kids, today's word is _echolalia._

[@jk09345568]

Questions will not be answered. They have represented my people too.

[@nicolodeon3559]

Can you count to the number 7? Yellow 4 Triangle 7

[@juliavictoria6617]

My name is Julia lol but I love this show XD

[@talisebanks901]

Yes this is superb

[@autumn.breann]

I love this. I'm autistic and I'm happy that they are showing this to children who has it. This sends out a great message to them

[@nicholasdimatteo5912]

how come Kevin clash is not playing Elmo anymore?

[@RinoaL]

well thats cool, i am in no position to comment on if they are implementing that character correctly or not. i've really only been around autistic people that have very extreme issues, and the others seem normal enough to me that they dont stand out.

[@gabrielmagallon3090]

man sesame street is badass

[@Davehiphop]

Fantastic!

[@matthewsmith3078]

you mean Ernie isn't on the Spectrum?

[@DocOck]

/our muppet/

[@evelynsierra2004]

I haven't seen Julie on sesame street lately, why? 11/10/ 2017

[@rigzmoviediaries654]

This does not seem wrong to me in any way at all.

[@meocats]

when is the first episode with this character commnig out?

[@Matty272]

What about Bert?

[@KingAdrock420]

I wonder if Julia has a hugbox.

[@alexanderip1003]

Is the one you referenced www.grandin.com/inc/squeeze-11.html

[@KingAdrock420]

Yup.

[@doloreshuntoon7698]

Who knew!

[@advictorium7977]

It's a disgrace that people would want an abomination in their Tv show

[@babycakenerds]

Here come the memes

[@jk09345568]

Not to be mean or homophobe or anything.

[@kodiakattack1]

So when are they going to have a character with PTSD? Kids now days have to deal with a mom or dad with that too! Let's get over being PC. AND JUST BE DECENT HUMAN BEINGS!

[@TheTrueAltoClef]

We can't add everyone at ones, so HOLD YOUR HORSES GEEZ!!

[@oasis9615]

Wow.

[@nickfleming3719]

I don't get it, the muppet characters already act autistic. So kids are going to make a connection between a muppet and actual humans, or are they going to think of autistic kids as muppets, sparking further bullying.