‘Carl The Collector’ Introduces A New Non-Talking Character Who Makes use of A Speech Pill

When you’ve by no means watched PBS Youngsters’ Carl the Collector, you’re lacking out. The collection is about in Fuzzytown and follows Carl, the titular raccoon who has autism, and his particular curiosity is in creating collections. It’s the community’s first collection to star a personality on the spectrum, and embrace extra neurodiverse characters round them, like Carl’s bestie Lotta the fox who can be autistic. And on Monday, Carl goes to attach with a brand new furry pal representing one more type of child with autism spectrum dysfunction (ASD) — and Scary Mommy has the unique first look.

ASD appears completely different for everybody, and Carl the Collector does an exquisite job of displaying simply how a lot range exists on the autism spectrum. In a brand new episode airing Monday, October 13, Carl will meet Paolo, a brand new pal who loves outer house and gathering issues simply as a lot as Carl does. Paolo has autism and is “largely non-speaking/preverbal,” in line with a press launch from PBS, so he communicates with the assistance of a speech pill (also referred to as an Augmentative and Various Communication system). Paolo is voiced by Odin Frost, a voice actor who’s autistic and non-speaking, and makes use of an AAC system himself.

This episode, titled “A New Buddy,” is the primary time a personality with an AAC is being represented on a PBS Youngsters present. It’s clear a lot thought went into Paolo’s introduction, however that’s to be anticipated from PBS Youngsters and the present’s workers of neurodiverse writers, actors, manufacturing crew, and advisors. By way of Carl and Paolo’s interplay, viewers get a have a look at how AAC units look and work, and even a bit of etiquette lesson from Paolo — he’s typing! Give him an opportunity to reply, please. Right here’s a better have a look at Paolo’s AAC system in comparison with the true factor:

“There’s a saying, ‘When you’ve met one autistic particular person, you’ve met only one autistic particular person,’ which is one thing this present authentically demonstrates in each episode,” stated Carl the Collector workers author Ava X. Rigelhaupt in a press launch saying the present’s debut final 12 months. “I’m hopeful that Carl the Collector will develop views of autism and neurodiversity, creating a greater understanding and additional acceptance for future generations.”

Whereas extra neurodivergent characters are being written into children’ media, Carl the Collector has one of the vital inclusive casts of characters I’ve seen, particularly now that Paolo is becoming a member of the enjoyable. AAC customers on display have been only a few and much between outdoors of ABC’s Speechless and Disney’s Out of My Thoughts. However Paolo is right here to repair that for Carl’s target market of youngsters ages 4 to eight.

Carl and Paolo’s episode kicks off a full week of name new Carl the Collector episodes, culminating in a full half-hour Halloween particular the place Carl can’t wait to trick-or-treat with all this associates and gather as many sweet wrappers as potential in a single evening. We will’t wait to tune in.