Why An Autism Group Is Breaking Up With ‘Sesame Street’
August 13, 2019
By: Michelle Diament
Source: Disability Scoop
Public service announcements featuring Julia from “Sesame Street” that encourage early screening for autism seem innocent enough, but a self-advocacy group says the advertisements lead unsuspecting parents to harmful information.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network says it is ending a years-long partnership with “Sesame Street” over a series of new PSAs the children’s program has done with Autism Speaks.
Print and digital advertisements using Julia — a muppet who’s on the spectrum — to educate people about autism and urge early screening debuted in April. Video spots produced as part of the collaboration between Autism Speaks, Sesame Workshop and the Ad Council were released in July.