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Julia, a new autistic muppet character, will join the cast of "Sesame Street" in April. The character was first introduced during the new <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautism.sesamestreet.org%2Findex.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children</a>.

Julia, a new autistic muppet character, will join the cast of "Sesame Street" in April. The character was first introduced during the new Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children.

Zach Hyman/Sesame Workshop via AP

Sesame Street's original star<strong> Big Bird</strong> has led the show since its first episode in 1969. The 8-foot Muppet often doesn't understand what's going on but sets the tone for the show by never hesitating to find out.

Sesame Street's original star Big Bird has led the show since its first episode in 1969. The 8-foot Muppet often doesn't understand what's going on but sets the tone for the show by never hesitating to find out.

"Sesame Street's" Muppet characters were originally intended to be support for the human cast, but test audiences responded so warmly to <strong>Bert and Ernie</strong>'s sketches that the producers put Muppets in starring roles. The comic duo have been two of the show's most popular characters ever since.

"Sesame Street's" Muppet characters were originally intended to be support for the human cast, but test audiences responded so warmly to Bert and Ernie's sketches that the producers put Muppets in starring roles. The comic duo have been two of the show's most popular characters ever since.

Sonia Manzano played shop owner <strong>Maria</strong> for nearly 45 years before retiring in July. She also worked as a writer for the show.

Sonia Manzano played shop owner Maria for nearly 45 years before retiring in July. She also worked as a writer for the show.

Richard Termine/Sesame Street

<strong>Alan</strong> Muraoka is the owner of Hooper's Store. He also works as a performer on Broadway.

Alan Muraoka is the owner of Hooper's Store. He also works as a performer on Broadway.

Richard Termine/Sesame Street

Alison Bartlett O'Reilly took the role of <strong>Gina</strong>, an assistant at Hooper's Store and babysitter for Elmo and Zoe. She joined the ensemble in 1987.

Alison Bartlett O'Reilly took the role of Gina, an assistant at Hooper's Store and babysitter for Elmo and Zoe. She joined the ensemble in 1987.

Richard Termine/Sesame Street

<strong>Bob</strong> McGrath was one of the first four human cast members on Sesame Street. He is known for his music and singalongs, although Bob can also tell a good story or two.

Bob McGrath was one of the first four human cast members on Sesame Street. He is known for his music and singalongs, although Bob can also tell a good story or two.

Richard Termine/Sesame Street

<strong>Christopher</strong> Knowings helps out at Hooper's Store. He was cast in 2006.

Christopher Knowings helps out at Hooper's Store. He was cast in 2006.

Richard Termine/Sesame Street

Emilio Delgado, who plays <strong>Luis</strong>, was the first human cast member. When something needs to be fixed, he is the man to call.

Emilio Delgado, who plays Luis, was the first human cast member. When something needs to be fixed, he is the man to call.

Richard Termine/Sesame Street

Ismael Cruz Cordova is a new addition as <strong>Armando</strong>. He's best known for his role in the CBS drama "The Good Wife."

Ismael Cruz Cordova is a new addition as Armando. He's best known for his role in the CBS drama "The Good Wife."

Richard Termine/Sesame Street

Loretta Long has played <strong>Susan</strong> since the show's beginning. When Big Bird needed comforting, Susan was there to help, and she is known for her maternal instincts.

Loretta Long has played Susan since the show's beginning. When Big Bird needed comforting, Susan was there to help, and she is known for her maternal instincts.

Richard Termine/Sesame Street

Nitya Vidyasagar joined "Sesame Street" as <strong>Leela</strong>. The recent addition has a background in theater performance.

Nitya Vidyasagar joined "Sesame Street" as Leela. The recent addition has a background in theater performance.

Richard Termine/Sesame Street

Roscoe Orman has played <strong>Gordon</strong>, husband to Susan, since Sesame Street began. Orman's real-life son Miles joined the cast in season 17 as Gordon's son, solidifying Orman's role as a kind and caring father.

Roscoe Orman has played Gordon, husband to Susan, since Sesame Street began. Orman's real-life son Miles joined the cast in season 17 as Gordon's son, solidifying Orman's role as a kind and caring father.

Richard Termine/Sesame Street

The Muppet Show made him a star, but <strong>Kermit the Frog</strong> had begun winning younger fans on "Sesame Street," explaining to kids that "It's Not Easy Bein' Green" for the first time in 1970.

The Muppet Show made him a star, but Kermit the Frog had begun winning younger fans on "Sesame Street," explaining to kids that "It's Not Easy Bein' Green" for the first time in 1970.

Courtesy Disney Enterprises, Inc

Fifteen years passed between the premiere of "Sesame Street" and <strong>Elmo</strong> getting his big break in 1984. But since then, the furry red monster with the high-pitched voice has gone on to become arguably the show's most popular Muppet.

Fifteen years passed between the premiere of "Sesame Street" and Elmo getting his big break in 1984. But since then, the furry red monster with the high-pitched voice has gone on to become arguably the show's most popular Muppet.

"Om nom nom nom" -- <strong>Cookie Monster</strong>'s voracious appetite for his favorite chocolate chip treats have endeared him to viewers since "Sesame Street's" first season. He's even managed to fit in teaching some important lessons: Thanks to him, generations of kids have grown up knowing that "C" is for cookie.

"Om nom nom nom" -- Cookie Monster's voracious appetite for his favorite chocolate chip treats have endeared him to viewers since "Sesame Street's" first season. He's even managed to fit in teaching some important lessons: Thanks to him, generations of kids have grown up knowing that "C" is for cookie.

A bad-tempered green monster who loves "anything dirty or dingy or dusty" and lives in a trash can: perhaps not an obvious choice for a children's TV hero. Yet Oscar the Grouch, whose ambition is to be as miserable as possible, has failed to ruin viewers moods, bringing humor and fun to the Street.

<strong>Zoe</strong> broke into "Sesame Street's" largely male Muppet cast in 1994, becoming the show's stand-out female character. As she appears to be about the same age as Elmo, the two often spend time together. They are understood to be best friends.

Zoe broke into "Sesame Street's" largely male Muppet cast in 1994, becoming the show's stand-out female character. As she appears to be about the same age as Elmo, the two often spend time together. They are understood to be best friends.

Nothing can interrupt the <strong>Count </strong>when he's counting. Whether counting from one to 10 or up to a billion (as he did in 2013 to celebrate "Sesame Street's" 1 billion YouTube views), the Count is happiest with numbers. He can now count over 40 years of appearances on "Sesame Street" since his debut in 1972.

Nothing can interrupt the Count when he's counting. Whether counting from one to 10 or up to a billion (as he did in 2013 to celebrate "Sesame Street's" 1 billion YouTube views), the Count is happiest with numbers. He can now count over 40 years of appearances on "Sesame Street" since his debut in 1972.

Is <strong>Grover </strong>the coolest Muppet on "Sesame Street"? He certainly thinks he is and describes himself as a "cute, furry little monster." Grover is one of the favorite creations of "Sesame Street" puppeteer Frank Oz, who said his generous personality and distinctive way of pronouncing each word "came about organically" when he brought the Muppet to the Street in 1970.

Is Grover the coolest Muppet on "Sesame Street"? He certainly thinks he is and describes himself as a "cute, furry little monster." Grover is one of the favorite creations of "Sesame Street" puppeteer Frank Oz, who said his generous personality and distinctive way of pronouncing each word "came about organically" when he brought the Muppet to the Street in 1970.

For many years, the adults on "Sesame Street" didn't believe that <strong>Mr. Snuffleupagus</strong> was real. The gigantic Muppet had an uncanny way of disappearing just before adult characters arrived, and many assumed he was Big Bird's imaginary friend. The very real Muppet is one of the Street's most cultured residents, revealing a love of ballet, opera and art since his first appearance in 1971.

For many years, the adults on "Sesame Street" didn't believe that Mr. Snuffleupagus was real. The gigantic Muppet had an uncanny way of disappearing just before adult characters arrived, and many assumed he was Big Bird's imaginary friend. The very real Muppet is one of the Street's most cultured residents, revealing a love of ballet, opera and art since his first appearance in 1971.

The stars of Sesame Street

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Julia, a character who has autism, is part of a new program to help reduce the stigma

In the digital storybook, Elmo plays with Julia and explains how she plays differently

CNN —

All cheers for Julia, the newest friend to join Elmo, Big Bird and the “Sesame Street” family in a new program designed to spread awareness about children with autism.

The bright-eyed and cheerful little girl plays an essential role in Sesame Street and Autism: See All in Amazing Children, an initiative launched Wednesday to promote awareness about autism.

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One in 68 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A 2014 report by the CDC estimates that 1 in 42 boys has autism, 4.5 times as many as girls (1 in 189).

The Sesame Street and Autism: See All in Amazing Children program is available as an app and on desktop. It includes daily routine cards and resources to help family, friends and others who encounter children with autism.

Sesame Workshop partnered with 14 other organizations, including the Yale Child Study Center and Autism Speaks, on the initiative.

In the digital storybook, Elmo plays with Julia on the playground and helps his friend Abby Cadabby understand that Julia plays differently than them. Through his patience and understanding, he helps Abby understand Julia.

“Elmo’s daddy told Elmo that Julia has autism,” he says. “So she does things a little differently. Sometimes Elmo talks to Julia using fewer words and says the same thing a few times.”

As the group goes on a quest for a snack, Julia places her hand over her ears when inside Hooper’s store.

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“What’s the matter?” asks Abby.

“Julia has really good ears,” explains Elmo.

“Sometimes she hears noises that Elmo doesn’t notice. Like the noise the blender makes. She really doesn’t like it!”

The website also tells the story of the character Benny and the real-life stories of Nasaiah and Thomas.

Sesame Street is using #SeeAmazing to encourage people to share their stories, videos and pictures on social media to keep the conversation and network of support ongoing.

CNN’s Anika Palm contributed to this report from Atlanta.

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‘Sesame Street’ adds Julia, an autistic character, to its cast

The stars of Sesame Street

Story highlights