Georgetown University is Helping Out Sesame Street

Georgetown University is giving a helping hand to everyone's favorite children's TV show: Sesame Street.

Specifically, the nonprofit educational organization behind the show -- Sesame Workshop -- has tapped Georgetown University Medical Center and Children's National Health System to evaluate its initiative titled, "Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children," according to a Georgetown University statement.

The purpose of the initiative is to "reduce stigma and build understanding about autism spectrum disorder (ASD)," the university said in the statement.

Last year, Sesame Street made headlines by unveiling a new autistic preschool digital Muppet named Julia, and included resources like videos and storybooks as part of the initiative. Now, Sesame Workshop wants Georgetown University's help in evaluating how well the program is going by conducting a year-long study that will include at least 100 families who have an autistic child, as well as 1,000 unaffected individuals.

"I think in all ways Sesame Street has been at the forefront of talking about not just differences, but similarities in kids and families. This is taking it to another level," said Bruno Anthony, Ph.D., deputy director of the Georgetown Center for Child and Human Development in collaboration, who is leading the research along with his wife Laura, also a Ph.D. "They are focusing on a large and growing group of individuals who have ASD, with the goals of breaking down stereotypes in the community, recognizing positive aspects of being different, and appreciating those who may be a little different."