Representation Station: Children’s TV Shows

Over the last few years, more and more disability representation has made its way into mainstream media and culture, especially where it concerns children. In this series, we’ll highlight categories where we’ve seen significant disability representation and share more about what’s available, who it’s impacting, and why it’s important.

In this installment, we highlight three children’s TV shows that include disability and diversity representation. Watching TV shows with disabled characters is a great introduction to disability as diversity because it allows the content to be introduced within the context of something children are already familiar with and love -- their favorite shows! This allows kids to ask questions in a safe and curious way, opening up conversation about diversity, disability and inclusion. 

Paw Patrol

Chances are if you have a toddler, you are already familiar with the show Paw Patrol and it may have taken over your house in the form of TV shows, toys, games, apparel, and more. This wildly popular show is the story of a group of puppies who go on adventures and use their individual talents to protect the seaside town of Adventure Bay. In October 2020, a new character was introduced, a male Bernese Mountain dog named Rex who is nicknamed Rex the dino whisperer because of his ability to talk to dinosaurs, especially baby dinos. If a dinosaur is in trouble, he will do anything and everything to help save them. Most notably, Rex is shown using a green and blue walker that supports his back legs. On his back is a retractable cable called the Dino Claw that he extends to reach high places and swing from cliff to cliff. He also operates an awesome green and blue vehicle that includes a drop down ramp in the back so he can wheel up into the driver’s spot! Seeing Rex in the show as just another pup shows children that disability is normal and a form of diversity. Children idolize and look up to the Paw Patrol characters and watching  Rex use mobility equipment like his walker, assistive devices like his Dino Claw, and having an accessible vehicle, shows children watching that these tools allow Rex, and all disabled people, to live more independent lives! 

Llama Llama

Llama Llama is a TV series for children that follows the stories of Llama Llama and his Mama Llama on their adventures of fun, friendship, and learning new things. This heartwarming series is well known and loved by families of all ages and the popular quotes from the show are heard echoing throughout houses daily. In the past, when you think about limb difference being represented in tv shows or movies, two of the most well known would be Captain Hook and Inspector Gadget, but those are a far cry from being an accurate portrayal of daily life with limb difference. Enter Audrey Antelope, introduced as a neighbor to Llama Llama, who visibly wears a prosthetic leg and comes into the show bouncing, happy, and excited. Throughout the show there is never an explanation about her disability, few questions are asked, and Audrey is shown going about her daily life. Disability is normalized, the other characters are shown to be inclusive, and Audrey isn’t made to feel any different. There is no masking or hiding Audrey’s disability but it also isn’t made out to be a big deal either. Llama Llama is a great show that demonstrates how all families are unique, all children are different, and disability is normal. This show allows children to see themselves represented in the various characters and learn that they are important, they belong, and inclusion is all around them. 

Sesame Street

When most adults think back on their childhood or raising children, a TV show that comes to mind is undoubtedly Sesame Street. Before 2015, Sesame Street regularly included cameos or short-run characters who had disabilities, but only in late 2015 did they digitally debut a new character named Julia, and then in 2017 she became a permanent cast member. Julia is a 4-year-old girl with autism and was created with consultative input from autism organizations as a part of Sesame Workshop’s larger autism advocacy and work. Puppet Julia joined the cast from Sesame Street on the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float and was seen wearing noise cancelling headphones to accommodate her sensitivity to loud sounds. She has also been portrayed stimming, a behavior that allows her to process and express her emotions. The inclusion of a permanent disabled cast member is setting a strong example for inclusion that other popular kids shows should follow.

If your kids watch any of these tv shows and have questions, or if you want to start or continue a conversation about disability in your home, check out our Table Topics blog series for easy printable activities for your whole family.

For more in our Representation Station series, check out our posts on adaptive clothing for children and toys that represent disability.