Yahoo News New 'Sesame Street' Video Helps Kids with Autism Understand the Ongoing Pandemic
Getting used to wearing a mask in public has been a hassle for many people, but kids with autism can face added challenges when it comes to getting acclimated to this new normal.
That's why Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization associated with Sesame Street, just released a set of resources dedicated to children on the autism spectrum and their families in order to help them understand the impact of the pandemic.
In one of the new videos, Julia, a Muppet who is autistic, learns how to feel more comfortable while wearing a mask. Her dad recommends practicing wearing a mask while at home, and even making a miniature mask for stuffed animals. (There's also a super helpful guide to talking to your child about how to cope with all of the changes going on in their day-to-day lives.)
In case you missed it, Julia made history back in 2017, when she became the first new Muppet in a decade. While she likes a lot of the same things as the other Muppets, she also exhibits some of the myriad symptoms of autism. When Julia meets Big Bird, for example, she doesn’t make eye contact or speak to him. She’s also very sensitive to loud noises.
Stacey Gordon, the puppeteer behind Julia, has a son with autism. She told the Associated Press that Julia is the type of character she wishes her son’s friends had seen when they were younger.
Bravo per usual, Sesame Street.
