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Why Our Family Adores Daniel Tiger’s New Friend
by Sarah Mitchell
Updated: April 15, 2021
Originally Published: April 15, 2021
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood has felt like an extension of my own home for the past eight years. Daniel was the first character my eldest child truly connected with. My second child found joy in him just as my first began to outgrow the show, allowing Daniel to remain in our lives a little longer. Now, my youngest is almost ready to fall in love with Daniel too. Throughout my motherhood journey, the melodies of Daniel teaching about sharing, managing emotions, and overcoming preschool challenges have been a constant in my days.
I even shed a tear when Daniel’s baby sister, Baby Margaret, made her debut. Seriously, it was a heartwarming moment.
Since Daniel’s world is crafted by the Fred Rogers Company, it feels comforting and recognizable to me. I appreciate seeing familiar characters from my childhood portrayed as adults in a setting that honors children’s feelings and experiences. The series showcases diverse families, and I’ve never had to worry about the messages my kids absorb from it.
When I recently learned that Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood was introducing an autistic character, I felt hopeful yet cautious about whether my son would find someone relatable in Max, the new addition to the neighborhood.
My son, Lucas, is five years old and autistic. We steer clear of functioning labels, as they offer little insight and fail to accurately capture the autistic experience. However, I think it’s important to share a bit about Lucas to explain my concerns about his connection with Max.
Often, autistic characters on TV are depicted as highly verbal and focused on specific interests, sometimes even portrayed as savants. Alternatively, they may be shown as non-verbal and extremely sensitive to sensory stimuli. Neither of these common portrayals aligns with Lucas’s experience.
Lucas uses language effectively most of the time and loves to chatter. However, he does face a speech delay. His conversations aren’t quite what you’d expect from a typical five-year-old, and he rarely recites detailed facts about his favorite subjects. Unlike some autistic individuals, he is usually unfazed by bright lights, loud sounds, or crowds. He thrives in most environments as long as he can navigate them on his terms.
People often assume, “Oh, he’s just mildly autistic,” based on his clear communication, yet they express sympathy when he needs space or struggles to answer a question. Such assumptions about his autism do not serve him well. Lucas is completely autistic, and that can mean many different things for each individual. For him, it means he requires time and understanding to feel comfortable and succeed.
With these thoughts in mind, last Friday, I gathered Lucas and took him to my room. We nestled into some cozy pillows under a blanket, and I played the episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood featuring Max’s introduction. (A fun tidbit: the character is voiced by an autistic actor, which was essential for me!)
Max’s debut was fantastic. When the teacher explained Max’s autism, I couldn’t contain my excitement. I exclaimed, “Look! Max is autistic!” and Lucas’s face lit up. He joyfully exclaimed, “Just like me, Mommy!”
When Max organized his favorite buses in rainbow order, Lucas beamed with delight, shouting out the colors. The way Max lined up the buses resonated so strongly with him.
Later in the episode, Max faced a challenging situation with bright lights and noise. While Lucas typically navigates such environments well, he recognized that Max needed a moment to regroup. When Max’s aunt took him outside, Lucas said, “Now Max is happy!”
He snuggled next to me, watching the entire episode with a smile. Afterwards, we discussed autism, repeating our favorite saying: “Autistic is awesome, and different is not less!” That night, he chose to rewatch the episode on his iPad, giggling at the characters as they creatively included Max in their play.
Having a character like him on TV holds immense significance for Lucas, and I am so thankful that Daniel Tiger provides that representation. It’s equally important for neurotypical children watching Daniel Tiger to develop an understanding of autistic peers. Max is not the only character; children can also connect with AJ from Hero Elementary, Julia from Sesame Street, Dennis from Dinosaur Train, and even the Xavier Riddle episode featuring Temple Grandin. By the time they enter school, kids may have encountered several representations of children like Lucas through their viewing experiences.
This kind of representation is crucial for families like ours. Lucas will soon transition into elementary school, mingling with kids aged five to potentially twelve. The more children who understand autism and how to accommodate it, the kinder his school experience will be. More importantly, it’s a matter of fairness. Autistic individuals exist throughout their lives, and just as it’s important for media to reflect diversity in race, gender, body type, and faith, neurodivergent individuals deserve to be included in character development and casting.
We are thrilled to welcome Daniel Tiger’s new friend, Max, and we hope to see him in many more episodes.
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Summary:
Our family has cherished the introduction of Max, an autistic character in Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, as it provides representation and relatability for my son Lucas, who is also autistic. This inclusion not only helps Lucas feel seen but also educates neurotypical children about autism, fostering understanding and kindness in future school environments. Media representation of neurodiversity is essential for promoting inclusivity and empathy among young viewers.