PBS TV show Sesame Street has never shied away from taking on complex topics that are hard to discuss with children, more specifically chronic health issues.  Aristotle, a blind muppet, was introduced in 1982,he  taught Big Bird how to read braille. In 2002, the South African co-production of Sesame Street introduced Kami, an HIV-positive muppet who starred in the show and was even featured with President Bill Clinton in 2006.
Sesame Workshop now plans to tackle the complex topic of childhood autism spectrum disorder with Julia, a pre-school-age muppet with the condition. Julia is Elmo’s newest friend.
Julia’s debut is part of an initiative called “See Amazing in All Children,” a partnership with more than a dozen autism organizations.