By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Sesame Workshop has launched new Sesame Street-themed educational resources and licensing promotions in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month.
The branded Autism Acceptance Month educational resources are focused on the value and importance of animal interaction for children and adults on the autism spectrum.
The new bilingual resources include a digital and print-based Julia and Rose storybook called Best Friends Fur-Ever, three printable worksheets based around the storybook, two educational articles for caregivers, and an expert-led webinar called Forging Furry Friendships.
The Sesame Workshop webinar explores the ways that animal interventions may support autistic children and their families.
Expert guests will explain the science behind human and animal relationships and offer guidance for families interested in finding a pet, service animal, or other animal-based programs.
Created as part of the Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative, the new English and Spanish resources add to the organization’s extensive range of existing educational content.
This content includes a variety of books, videos, articles, and development tools that are intended for children, caregivers, community providers and educators.
“Since we introduced Julia in 2015, we have heard from families and educators around the world how much they love and relate to her and how she has helped them start conversations and foster an understanding of autism,” said Sesame Workshop SVP, Jeanette Betancourt. “We are thrilled to launch these new resources, which reflect our ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive world where autistic children are celebrated and supported in all the ways they learn and grow.”
In addition to the new content, Sesame Workshop has planned several themed Autism Acceptance Month location-based experiences planned around the world.
These experiential events include an appearance from Julia at Sesame Street Land’s daily parade at SeaWorld Orlando.
Busch Gardens’ Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend series is also featuring a special Julia & Friends Weekend that includes sensory-friendly performances of the Let’s Play Together show and a Julia-themed scavenger hunt.
In-person meet-and-greets with Julia and free storybook giveaway events are also scheduled to take place at Sesame Place Philadelphia, Sesame Place San Diego and Busch Gardens.
These events will offer free copies of the We’re Amazing 1,2,3! Sesame Street storybook to the attendees.
On the international stage, Sesame Street Japan and the Midories kids musical group are debuting a new music video for We Belong that includes appearances from Elmo, Cookie Monster and Julia.
In Bangladesh, a day-long Sisimpur event will be held on Autism Acceptance Day at Sesame Workshop’s RTV broadcast partners’ in-house studio.
The RTV broadcast event will feature a Sisimpur costumed character show with autism awareness activities for children.
In addition, Crocs is releasing a new Sesame Street collection for preschoolers and toddlers that features licensed characters such as Julia, Elmo, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby.
The collection is launching exclusively at Foot Locker and Kids Foot Locker stores as part of the Be Seen platform to promote and support autism awareness and acceptance.
Initially launched in 2015, the Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative is co-funded by American Greetings, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Kristen Rohr and The Jones/Davis family.
In 2018, Sesame Place Philadelphia was the first theme park in the world to become an IBCCES Certified Autism Center. Sesame Place San Diego also became certified upon its opening in 2022.
Sesame Workshop Launches New Resources and Collaborations for Autism Acceptance Month
