Ep 15. Meet Julia

Meet Julia is the 15th episode of Season 47 of Sesame Street. This episode marks the introduction of a new character, Julia, who has autism. Julia is a young girl with orange hair and a wide smile who loves to draw and play games. She communicates with others through a special form of communication called AAC, or augmented and alternative communication.

The episode begins with Elmo and Abby Cadabby playing bubble tag together. Just then, they notice a new friend, Julia, playing nearby. Abby explains to Elmo that Julia has autism and communicates in a different way than they do. Elmo is curious and wants to know more about her. Abby decides to introduce Elmo to Julia.

Throughout the episode, Elmo, Abby, and the other Sesame Street friends learn about autism and how to communicate with someone who has it. They introduce Julia to new games and activities, all while learning about her unique way of communicating.

One particularly heartwarming moment comes when Julia meets Elmo's goldfish, Dorothy. Julia is fascinated by Dorothy and Elmo is excited to show her off. However, Julia seems to be more interested in playing with the water than in the fish itself. Elmo becomes frustrated and upset that Julia isn't playing with Dorothy the way he wants her to. But with the help of his friends, Elmo learns that everyone plays differently and that's okay.

Throughout the episode, the Sesame Street friends demonstrate that everyone can be friends, no matter how different they may seem at first. They learn to communicate with Julia in her own way and to include her in their activities.

The episode also addresses some misconceptions about autism. For example, when Elmo notices that Julia is flapping her hands, he becomes confused and worried that she is upset. However, his friends explain to him that hand-flapping is just one way that some people with autism communicate their excitement.

Meet Julia is a powerful and important episode that serves to educate children about autism and encourage them to be more understanding and accepting of those who are different from themselves. With its gentle humor and heartfelt message, this episode is sure to become a favorite among young viewers and longtime fans of Sesame Street alike.