Just a couple of months ago, my son was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4. As a new autism mom, I’m still navigating this journey. My son is considered level 1, showing strong academic skills while also exhibiting some behaviors that are atypical for the spectrum.
When my husband and I received the diagnosis, we had immediate questions for our doctor about how and when to share this information with our son. Should we tell him right away? Is it something to celebrate? Perhaps I should bake a cake to mark this moment? “Happy Autism Day!” we could say.
Ultimately, we decided to hold off. We have open conversations with him about his strengths and challenges, and as he grows and begins to ask questions, we’ll find the right moment to explain his diagnosis. This could be weeks or years down the line; we’ll know when he’s ready.
When I heard that Sesame Street was introducing a Muppet character named Julia, who is on the autism spectrum, I felt a wave of excitement. Representation in media matters, and by the time we have that conversation with our son, he will have some understanding of autism from watching one of his favorite shows. I immediately looked up clips featuring Julia and noted both her similarities and differences from my son.
One significant aspect of Julia’s character is that she is a girl, which is essential because autism is often viewed through a male lens. Girls are frequently underdiagnosed due to various factors, including their ability to mask symptoms and adapt to social norms.
However, it’s important to remember that autism exists on a broad spectrum. Each child on the spectrum is unique. A phrase I often hear among parents and professionals is: “If you’ve met one child with autism, you’ve met one child with autism.”
While my son will see Julia and relate to her in some ways, I don’t think he will see himself entirely reflected in her character—and I believe this will be the case for many kids on the spectrum. That’s not a flaw; no show can encompass the diversity of all autistic children. I now wonder if Julia will be as impactful for autistic children as I initially hoped.
A few days ago, I was driving and heard a radio segment about Julia. My heart swelled with emotion—not out of sadness or worry for my son, but for other children. I thought about neurotypical kids who would encounter a character with autism before they even learn to speak. For those who may not have an autistic family member or classmate, seeing Julia could foster understanding and acceptance from a young age.
My son faces challenges in making friends at preschool, as many of his peers don’t understand his behavior. While no one is cruel, some kids are unsure how to engage with him. They may not realize he struggles with loud noises or that they may need to ask him to play multiple times to get his attention. Watching Julia interact with characters like Abby, Elmo, and Big Bird on Sesame Street could help neurotypical kids learn how to relate to autistic children. When they meet someone like my son, they may be more accepting simply because they are already familiar with Julia.
So, thank you, Sesame Street. Your efforts to introduce neurodiversity to young audiences are appreciated.
For more insights into home insemination and parenting, check out this related blog post. If you’re interested in understanding more about the process, here’s an excellent resource about pregnancy and home insemination. Also, if you want to explore tools for self-insemination, Make a Mom has some great options available.
In summary, while Julia may not represent every child on the autism spectrum, her presence on Sesame Street opens doors for understanding, acceptance, and education among children of all backgrounds.