The newest Muppet on "Sesame Street" is a girl named Julia who has autism By Associated Press, adapted by Newsela staff on 03.22.17 Word Count 367

Julia, a Muppet character who is autistic, will debut on April 10, 2017, on "Sesame Street."

NEW YORK, N.Y. — "Sesame Street" is getting a new Muppet.

Julia is a Muppet who has red hair and green eyes. She also has autism. People who have autism may have a hard time talking to people. It might be difficult to make friends. A lot of people with autism have special talents, though. They might be very good at playing an instrument, like the piano.

Julia is not left out by the other Muppets. They treat her like they would anyone else.

In one scene, Julia is about to play a game with Oscar, Abby and Grover. In the game, the friends have to find shapes.

Making Friends On "Sesame Street"

Abby says Grover is lucky. "You have Julia on your team, and she is really good at finding shapes!"

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Another time, Julia is with Abby and Elmo when Big Bird walks up. He wants to be friends with Julia, but she does not talk to him. He thinks she does not like him.

That's not the case, though. Julia has a hard time making friends.

Julia then shows a different way of playing tag. Everyone joins in. When a loud noise starts, she covers her ears. She looks scared.

"She needs to take a break," Big Bird's friend Alan says. Soon, they start to play again.

Julia Will Help Teach People About Autism

It took "Sesame Street" more than a year to create the character of Julia.

Julia is part of a new project at "Sesame Street." It is called "Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children." The idea is to teach people about autism.

Stacey Gordon was excited to hear about Julia. Gordon has worked with puppets. She teaches people how to use puppets. She makes puppets to sell, too.

Now she gets to play the part of Julia.

Gordon has a child with autism. She used to work with children who have autism.

Gordon loves being part of the show. She watched it as a child.

"It is so much fun to be on set with everyone," Gordon says. She likes to show positive things about kids with autism.

Julia will be on the show starting in April.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Quiz

1 Based on the article, what are people with autism like?

(A) They may have trouble talking to people.

(B) They always have red hair and green eyes.

(C) They really like watching "Sesame Street."

(D) They always like to play with puppets.

2 Based on the article, which of the following is TRUE?

(A) Julia becomes friends with Big Bird quickly.

(B) Julia is treated the same as other Muppets.

(C) Julia is not very good at playing games.

(D) Julia does not like to play games.

3 Read the paragraphs from the section "Making Friends On Sesame Street."

Another time, Julia is with Abby and Elmo when Big Bird walks up. He wants to be friends with Julia, but she does not talk to him. He thinks she does not like him. That's not the case, though. Julia has a hard time making friends.

What does the sentence "That's not the case, though." mean?

(A) That is mean.

(B) That is unlucky.

(C) That is not true.

(D) That is not funny.

4 Which sentence from the last section, "Julia Will Help Teach People About Autism," gives one reason WHY Stacey Gordon is happy to play Julia?

(A) Stacey Gordon was excited to hear about Julia.

(B) Now she gets to play the part of Julia.

(C) Gordon loves being part of the show.

(D) She likes to show positive things about kids with autism.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.