Sesame Street launched their Autism awareness campaign in Wednesday with their See Amazing in All Children website. The website aims to provide resources to help and better understand children with Autism with the 'Amazing Song.' The first Autistic Muppet character, Julia joined Elmo, and the gang in the digital storybook release pending feedback from the Autism community before her TV debut.
Families and communities of 2-5 year old children with autism now have access to a free app with video, story cards, storybook materials to help make daily life easier. Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, the senior vice president of U.S. told PEOPLE that one in 68 kids with autism are bullied five times more than regular kids.
The initiative aims to educate on what all children have in common rather than to focus on what makes autistic children different. The common ground amongst all children around these ages is the joy and love for playing and having friends therefore getting children with autism to be part of a regular group is the goal, says Dr. Betancourt.
The videos and materials will showcase Julia, the first Muppet with autism being part of Elmo and the gang's group. Seeing things from the eyes of a child with autism is what makes the project unique. Certain behaviors of children with autism such as slapping their hands or making noises when they are excited or unhappy helps other younger children understand how to interact with them and in the end make them more comfortable interacting with them in the group.
When another child doesn't make eye contact with a 5 year old, he would get the impression that he doesn't want to play with him but this initiative changes this by 'creating greater awareness and empathy,' says Sherrie Westin, executive vice president of global impacts and philanthropy.
In the storybooks, you would read about how Julia explained to her Sesame Street friends that her play preferences can be a little different. This is part of the effort to eliminate any feeling of discomfort or awkwardness and instead instill better understanding and acceptance.
Michael Robb, Director of Research for Common Sense media, commends this Sesame Street initiative move after reviewing the "We're Amazing, 1,2,3" story. He said that the simple language used in the conversations in the book is very real and that kids can easily understand how Julia is different and "how simple accommodations can help Julia."
Taking part in the Sesame Street initiative can be done using social media using the hashtag #SeeAmazing to help promote Autism awareness.
Credit: Youtube/Sesame Street in Communities