I am pleased to see that Sesame Street has introduced an autistic puppet named Julia and she is a girl! Although I wasn’t diagnosed until 25 years old I think I was born with Autism, and I had it from a young age without realising it. Growing up, I watched Sesame Street and I remember Big Bird, the big yellow canary. I wish they had the likes of Julia when I was younger because it might have helped me understand my Autism a bit better, although I understand it now more that I used to. I understand why Julia is making her debut on Sesame Street in the month of April because April is Autism Awareness Month. I think it is fantastic to see an autistic girl puppet because boys always get the recognition, this is a good step for Sesame Street as it is a well-known kids programme.

I wish I had the likes of Julia to help me through my diagnosis as she would have taught me that I am not alone. There are other people with Autism, girls, boys, children, adults, anyone can have it and Julia would have helped me understand that a bit more. School for me was okay, my support teacher tried to help me but Autism wasn’t as known in those days as it is today. In school I struggled, for example, I couldn’t write things down on paper, I was held back a year which made me feel old, Maths and English were difficult too. The other kids in school treated me fine, but I didn’t have many friends in school which is a classic sign of Autism. Julia is meant to teach children about other children’s differences and understand Autism better and in school that would have helped me as the other kids didn’t understand me and would say “oh she’s off on one again”.

Now that I am older I am a lot happier and my mum is a lot happier thanks to the FANTASTIC work that Scottish Autism has done over the years, they have helped me understand my Autism more.

Have a fantastic Autism Awareness Month and good luck to Julia.

Emma