Sesame Street introduces muppet with autism to teach children about disorder

Sesame Street is adding a new character to its ranks – a muppet called Julia, who has autism.

Julia, a four-year-old with bright orange hair, a pink dress and a favorite toy rabbit called Fluffster, will make her debut on 10 April in an episode called “Meet Julia”. She has already appeared in Sesame Street cartoons and books, but this will be her first appearance on the famous children’s show.

“We wanted to address autism in general because of the growing number of children who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder,” Sherrie Westin, EVP of global social impact and philanthropy at Sesame Workshop, the non-profit behind Sesame Street, told the Guardian.

“We felt that creating a character who was autistic would allow children to identify her but equally important, it would allow us to model for all children the differences and commonalities of a child with autism.

“It was an opportunity to help explain autism and to help increase awareness and understanding.”

On Monday, Sesame Street released a number of video clips featuring Julia. One shows her sitting at a table, painting with some of the other characters. Big Bird arrives and says hello to Julia, who carries on with her work rather than saying hello back.

Big Bird and Sesame Street stalwart Elmo appeared on CBS’s 60 minutes on 17 March, to talk with host Lesley Stahl. Big Bird told Stahl he had initially been perturbed by Julia’s lack of response.

“I thought that maybe she didn’t like me,” Big Bird said.

“We had to explain to Big Bird that Julia likes Big Bird,” Elmo said. “It’s just that Julia has autism. So sometimes it takes her a little longer to do things.”

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Sesame Street introduces Julia to the Associated Press.

Later in the episode – according to a clip seen by the Associated Press – Julia becomes distressed when a siren goes off.

“She needs to take a break,” the muppets’ human friend Alan calmly explains. Julia soon relaxes and the friends carry on playing.

Another video shows Elmo approaching Julia, who is playing with Fluffster on her own. Elmo sees that Julia is focused on her own activity and says: “We can play side by side, like we do sometimes.”

“There’s lots of ways to play,” Elmo tells the camera.

Julia’s introduction is part of an initiative: “Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in all Children”. Sesame Workshop said it consulted with more than 250 organizations and experts over a five-year period, ahead of unveiling the character.

Julia is played by puppeteer Stacey Gordon, who told the Associated Press her 13-year-old son also has autism.

“The ‘Meet Julia’ episode is something that I wish my son’s friends had been able to see when they were small,” Gordon said. “I remember him having meltdowns and his classmates not understanding how to react.”

Sesame Street introduces muppet with autism to teach children about disorder

Sesame And Honey – Miracle Pair That Can Treats More Than 10 Specific Diseases!

Sesame seeds have been cultivated for more than 5000 years. The ancient region of Mesopotamia was the first place where it was widely cultivated and then it spread to the rest of the world.

The mixture of sesame and honey is an excellent source of iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium and phosphate, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. When it comes to vitamins, sesame contains those of the group E, A and B.

Why Honey & Sesame Seeds Are Healthy

-Consumed these two ingredients together relieve pain in the abdomen and most effective cure for menses pain. Sesame also contains iron which promotes a better period.

-Honey and sesame seeds have equal percentage of calcium which promotes bone health. Regular consumption of this food aids in protecting your bones as you age.

-Sesame seeds help in lower cholesterol in the body. These seeds can be strewn on salads and desserts or can be consumed raw.

-Honey-sesame combination also strengthens the bone marrow, stimulates mental activity, increases physical endurance, affect the beauty and shine of hair and skin.

Other Benefits of These Two Ingredients

-Diabetes
-Ulcers and acid reflux
-Allergies
-Osteoporosis
-Anxiety and depression
-Obesity
-Weakened immune system
-High cholesterol and hypertension

Pasteli-Greek Honey Sesame Bars Recipe

Pasteli was probably the first energy bar ever made and it was made with honey and sesame seeds. Many recipes incorporate the benefits of both sesame seeds and raw honey. Here is one that is easy and delicious.

Ingredients:

1 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup pistachios (optional), cut in halves
1/2 cup honey
1 inch lemon peel
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

-Add sesame seeds to pan and cook over low to medium heat until lightly golden brown.
-Once done, remove from heat, and empty seeds onto plate to stop them from getting too dark, set aside.
-Add honey, lemon peel and lemon juice to a pot.
-Heat over medium heat until simmering, stir continuously for 5 minutes.
-Turn of heat and immediately add sesame seeds and pistachios to honey and mix well.
-Empty onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
-Flatten with back of spatula brushed with olive oil to avoid sticking.
-Place in refrigerator and allow to cool for about 20 minutes.
-Cut into bars and enjoy- this recipe should make about 12 servings.

Sources:

–http://www.healthyfoodstar.com

–http://www.lemonandolives.com

–http://www.greenmedinfo.com

–http://familylifegoals.com

Also Read:

Sesame And Honey – Miracle Pair That Can Treats More Than 10 Specific Diseases!

7 Healthy Reasons to Eat Black Sesame Seeds

Black sesame seeds are known for its fabulous nutritional profile and they are rated as the world’s healthiest foods. Sesame seeds contain an important  phyto-nutrients such as omega-6 fatty acids, flavonoid, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber with potential anti-cancer as well as health promoting properties.

The black sesame seed may be small, but it is a powerful food. The nutrients found in sesame seeds may contribute to cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, support respiratory health, protect against colon cancer and osteoporosis as well as other conditions.

7 Healthy Reasons to Eat Black Sesame Seeds

Relieves Arthritis

The high copper content in black sesame seeds helps in reducing pain and swelling associated with arthritis. In addition, this mineral keeps your bones and joints flexible and healthy.

Improves Eye Health

As per traditional Chinese medicine, eyes are closely related to liver healthy. When liver is affected the eyes become tired and dry and vision may become blurred. Black sesame seeds are a natural tonic for liver, which in turn is believed to nourish and support eyes’ function.

Prevent Cancer

Black sesame is the one that have the highest phytosterol content among all seeds, which is inevitable in the fight against severe disease such as: leukemia, multiple myeloma, colon cancer, lung cancer, beast cancer, etc.

Prevents Anaemia

One cup of black sesame seeds contains about 20 mg of iron, which is about 115% of your daily recommended intake of iron, the mineral that is essential for transporting oxygen around your body.

Prevent Osteoporosis

Eating black sesame seeds regularly, provides you with good intake of zinc and calcium, both minerals that are needed by the body for good bone health.

Reduce High Blood Pressure

Black sesame seeds have been proven to be an effective way to reduce blood pressure. They contain a high concentration of magnesium, a compound that can actively reduce hypertension.

Anti-diabetic

Black sesame seed is one such condiment which possesses anti-diabetic properties. As sesame seeds contain magnesium and other vital nutrients which improve the plasma glucose in hypersensitive diabetic patients.

Sources:

– http://www.hairbuddha.net/black-sesame-seeds-a-natural-remedy-for-grey-hair/

– http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-sesame-seeds-for-skin-hair-and-health/

Read More:

7 Healthy Reasons to Eat Black Sesame Seeds

Open Sesame: seven Collective Benefits Of This Strong Seeds

The sesame seed is obtained from a flowering plant native to Africa and Asia. The sesame plant is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world and as effectively as currently being a popular seed. The electrical power of the sesame seed dates back thousands of many years in the past when it was utilized by the Egyptians as a medicine.

Nutrition Worth

Copper – 73.five%
Tryptophan – 37.five%
Manganese – 44.five%
Magnesium – 31.5%
Calcium – 35.one%
Phosphorus – 22.6%
Iron – 29.1%
Vitamin B1 – 18.6%
Selenium – 17.6%
Zinc – 18.6%
Calories (206) – eleven%

7 Collective Rewards Of This Remarkable Seeds

Sturdy bones
Sesame seeds are a fantastic supply of the two calcium and zinc, and each these minerals perform a key part in assisting to maintain strong, healthier bones. Consuming sesame seeds on a standard basis can assist avoid osteoporosis, creating sesame seeds a common element of the diet program of older people.

Lessen High Blood Stress
Sesame seeds incorporate sesamin and sesamolin, substances that is believed to stop higher blood stress and protect the liver against damage.

Cure Rheumatoid Arthritis
A mineral that is crucial for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant enzyme methods, copper is recognized for lowering ache and swelling related with arthritis. Moreover, this mineral assists supply power to blood vessels, bones, and joints.

Cure Anemia
Sesame seeds remedy anemia as an ounce of Sesame seeds can make up for about 23% of Iron and 25% of Magnesium every day requirement. It is found that black sesame seeds are deemed a lot more potent than the white ones for curing anemia.

Avoid Diabetes
Magnesium and other nutrients contribute to the management of diabetes. Numerous researches have proven that sesame seed oil assists in regulating blood sugar levels and hence managing diabetes.

Stop cancer
Anti-oxidant properties of sesame seeds and presence of nutrients like magnesium and iron, and several vitamins, they look to lessen the danger of specified cancers. It has anti-carcinogenic agent Phytate that has been proved to stop cancer.

Relieves Stress
1 ounce of Sesame seeds have about 28% and 25% of our daily necessity of Calcium and Magnesium respectively. They are important for far better nerve perform, reduction of mood swings and as mood enhancer.

Sources of write-up include:

http://wiki-fitness.com/sesame-seeds-overall health-positive aspects-and-nutrition-information/

http://www.healthcabins.com/sesame-seeds-well being-benefits.html

http://www.drwhitaker.com/the-overall health-advantages-of-sesame-seeds/

Open Sesame: seven Collective Benefits Of This Strong Seeds

Who Are The Folks In Your Neighborhood, Sesame Street?

Sesame Street has joined up with Autism Speaks as element of an initiative to “See Remarkable in All Children.” They kicked off this effort by receiving with each other with Bob and Suzanne Wright of Autism Speaks to light the Empire Empire State Building blue for World Autism Day on April two.

It’s admirable that Sesame Workshop needs to, as they say, “develop a new community engagement initiative to help minimize the stigma surrounding youngsters with autism.”

Except that they’re functioning with a person, Suzanne Wright, who wrote this about autism only five months ago.

An excerpt:

These families are not residing.

They are existing. Breathing – yes.  Eating – yes. Sleeping- possibly.  Functioning- most certainly – 24/7.

This is autism.

Existence is lived moment-to-second.  In anticipation of the child’s subsequent move.  In despair.  In dread of the future.

This is autism.

That doesn’t sound like somebody intent on “reducing stigma” about autism.

A information release from the individuals at Sesame Workshop estimates a representative speaking about the initiative:

“We have identified that there’s a lack of understanding amongst the basic public about kids with autism,” explained Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, Sesame Workshop’s Senior Vice President for Local community and Family members Engagement. “Sesame Workshop has a extended background of addressing diversity, acceptance, and inclusion, and we felt we could play a critical position in decreasing misconceptions by highlighting the commonalities children with autism share with all youngsters. With each other with our partners, we will leverage the energy of our engaging Muppets to help to carry this message to children, families, and communities.”

Except that acceptance does not look to be substantial on the list of the organization with whom they’ve partnered. You won’t locate that word in their mission statement. What you will locate is this:

We are devoted to funding global biomedical research into the triggers, prevention, treatments and a possible cure for autism.

How does this jibe with Sesame Workshop’s stated aim of “reducing misconceptions” and “highlighting commonalities” among kids with and without autism or emphasize “diversity, acceptance, and inclusion”? It does not appear to.

I know that in component thanks to organizations like Autism Speaks, the perception of autism is largely a adverse one, charged emotionally with the anguish of parents who have heard only negatives from the moment they heard that word linked to their youngsters. But autism is not cancer. It isn’t a disease–it’s not progressive, it’s not degenerative, it does not destroy.

It’s a situation that is not universally regarded as a adverse. It’s a issue that a lot of who have it take into account to reflect their identity in methods that are great as well as ways that raise obstacles. It’s one that I firmly feel we will come to understand far better and far better for positives as well as negatives if we shift our concentrate to Sesame Workshop’s very own phrases of “diversity, acceptance, and inclusion,” if we emphasis on really listening to autistic folks and their insights about themselves and what they need to have. Choosing an organization, Autism Speaks, that has no autistic people in its leadership, looks counter to that.

Sesame Workshop has an chance right here to do for autistic people what they did for me when I was a kid and avid fan, only a small older than Sesame Street itself: Consist of them in and demonstrate viewers a globe exactly where absolutely everyone has differences. Every person has struggles. Yet no one is excluded, marginalized, informed they require to be prevented or cured or various from who they are. You can be a massive, weird, sensitive yellow talking bird chatting with his imaginary elephantine friend or a green guy who lives in a garbage can and gripes at every person as a defense mechanism, and the world is Ok with that and understands it. Joining with Autism Speaks, a group with a mission of prevention and a message of concern and despair, is a jarring, off-message move to me and one particular that belies the four-and-a-half decades of neighborhood that Sesame Street has worked to construct.

Who Are The Folks In Your Neighborhood, Sesame Street?