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New resources released from Sesame Workshop designed to support children with autism
Freya Lucas
Oct 27, 2021
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Created in 2015, the Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative aims to increase public awareness of autism, foster greater empathy and understanding, and support families with free resources to help them navigate everyday moments and challenges.
The resources are designed to help families create new routines, build flexibility, and cope with the challenges of change during turbulent times and have been created as part of a continued partnership with Exceptional Minds, an academy and studio preparing young adults on the autism spectrum for careers in animation and beyond.Sesame Workshop has partnered with Exceptional Minds since 2015, starting with Emmy-nominated Benny’s story. Julia’s new video explores her handling her fear of the dark by drawing what she’s afraid of — helping her brother along the way.
“Eighty per cent of adults with autism are unemployed or underemployed, but with Sesame Workshop’s continued partnership, we are changing that,” said David Siegel, Executive Director of Exceptional Minds.
Accompanying the animation are new printables and colouring and activity sheets, including Good Night routine cards to help children develop a healthy bedtime routine.
Using feedback from advisors and community members, Sesame Workshop continues to expand the breadth of the See Amazing in All Children content library and has also launched Mandarin and Cantonese adaptations, in partnership with Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN).
“Autistic children and their families are facing unprecedented challenges this year, and Sesame Workshop is here to help kids create healthy routines, develop self-regulation and calming strategies, and build resilience,” said Dr Jeanette Betancourt, Senior Vice President of US Social Impact at Sesame Workshop.
See Amazing in All Children was developed in consultation with over 250 organisations and experts within the autism community. With 1 in 70 Australians diagnosed with autism, this initiative is designed to show that all children — autistic and neurotypical alike — are amazing in their own ways.
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