Sesame Street welcomes Julia - its first character with autism

Sesame Street has also launched the hashtag #SeeAmazing online to promote awareness.

Meet Julia, the newest character to join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and friends on Sesame Street.

The adorable red headed muppet is the educational franchise's first digital character with Autism, and was introduced to the crew on Wednesday as part of the launch of the show's new online initiative, Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in all Children - an initiative aimed to reduce “the stigma of autism”.