A new kids show called Pablo debuted on CBeebies earlier this week, about an autistic child who solves problems with his animated friends.
The show, aimed at preschoolers, has got a lot of praise.
CBeebies have a new show on called Pablo and the whole cast are #autistic I think it's brilliant 🙏👌🏾#autismawareness #AutismHour
"It’s absolutely pouring in," Pablo creator and producer Gráinne McGuinness told BuzzFeed UK. "People are sending us cards and presents and cakes.
"The idea of Pablo came about from wondering if you could create a show that would raise awareness about what it is like to be on the autism spectrum, for a preschool audience. I had the idea for my children who are preschoolers – they are now not preschoolers any more, because it takes a long time to get these things made."
At the start of each episode Pablo experiences a problem. In one, he arrives at a party and is overwhelmed by the noise and number of people, so he escapes back to the family car.
In a groundbreaking move, all the animated characters are voiced by autistic children. Noa the dinosaur (voiced by Tony Finnegan) is great at problem-solving but finds it hard to read other people's facial expressions.
Llama the llama (Rosie King) loves to repeat things other people say and has a keen eye for detail.
Then there's Draff (Scott Mulligan), whose catchphrase is "point in fact" and who loves to learn facts.
The hope is that Pablo will reach a wider audience than just preschoolers. After all, McGuinness said, "It is the parents who control who gets invited to the birthday party."
At the end of the party episode (spoiler alert), Pablo decides to go back to his cousin Lorna's party to wish her happy birthday and give her a present: one of his drawings.
