Four years ago, Sesame Street took a groundbreaking step in representation by introducing Julia, their first autistic Muppet. Initially featured in an online storybook and later integrated into the beloved TV show, Julia, a sunshine-yellow 4-year-old girl who always carries her rabbit, Fluffster, quickly became a symbol of inclusivity. Developed with input from autism advocates and researchers, Julia was embraced by audiences and even graced the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For many, including autistic individuals, Julia represented a significant step forward, showcasing a world where differences are celebrated.
Julia’s introduction felt like a breath of fresh air. Unlike the often-negative or sensationalized portrayals of autism in media, Julia offered a positive and relatable character. She plays with her friends Elmo and Abby Cadabby, navigating the world in her own way, and her friends are understanding and supportive of her needs. The show even created “The Amazing Song,” an anthem about autism that emphasizes shared emotions and experiences. For autistic viewers, seeing Julia thrive and be accepted was deeply moving, especially given the common misconception that autistic people lack feelings.
However, a recent development has cast a shadow over Julia’s positive image. Sesame Street has partnered with Autism Speaks, an organization considered divisive within the autism community, to promote resources, including the “100 Day Kit for Young Children.” This kit has sparked considerable controversy due to its problematic and outdated narratives about autism, clashing directly with the inclusive spirit Julia embodies.
The core issue lies within the “100 Day Kit,” which is presented as a resource for parents of newly diagnosed autistic children. While it includes some helpful information, it also promotes harmful and regressive ideas. Disturbingly, the kit suggests parents may experience the five stages of grief in response to their child’s autism diagnosis, comparing it to the death of a child. This narrative equates autism with tragedy, undermining the very message of acceptance and inclusion that Julia represents.
This partnership and the promotion of the “100 Day Kit” led to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) ending its collaboration with Sesame Street. ASAN, a leading national organization run by and for autistic people, had been instrumental in shaping Julia’s character and ensuring authentic representation. Their decision to sever ties highlights the severity of the concerns surrounding the Autism Speaks partnership. It is significant because Sesame Street‘s initial collaboration with ASAN was lauded as groundbreaking – a rare instance of autistic individuals being consulted and involved in telling their own stories.
Autism Speaks, despite claiming to have moved away from seeking a “cure” for autism, continues to perpetuate harmful narratives. The “100 Day Kit” repeatedly mentions the need for a “cure” and promotes unsupported interventions, such as gluten-free, dairy-free diets, alongside valid therapies like occupational therapy, blurring the lines between evidence-based practices and unsubstantiated claims. This mixed messaging is confusing and potentially damaging for families seeking accurate information.
The controversy is not about denying the challenges some autistic individuals and their families face. Rather, it is about the framing of autism. Julia’s character is impactful because she is portrayed as a child first and foremost – a child who enjoys friendships, play, and family, while also having autism. Her differences are acknowledged and embraced, not presented as deficits or tragedies. The Autism Speaks partnership, and particularly the “100 Day Kit,” directly contradicts this positive portrayal by focusing on grief, cure narratives, and potentially harmful interventions.
The situation is particularly disheartening because Julia was created to be a positive force, a symbol of understanding and acceptance for autistic individuals and the wider community. Sesame Street has a powerful platform and a long history of promoting positive social messages. Partnering with an organization that promotes harmful narratives undermines the positive impact Julia was intended to have. It is crucial for Sesame Street to reconsider its association with Autism Speaks and reaffirm its commitment to respectful and accurate representation of autism, ensuring that Julia can continue to be embraced as a symbol of autistic pride and acceptance without complication.
