Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month with Carl the Collector on PBS KIDS

Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to celebrate neurodiversity and promote understanding and inclusion in support of individuals with autism. This month, PBS NC highlights films and series that explore autism from different perspectives, including the new PBS KIDS show Carl the Collector. Carl is a warm-hearted raccoon with autism who loves collecting and organizing, and the series showcases the strengths and experiences of autistic individuals while teaching kids about friendship, problem-solving and communication.  

Watch Carl the Collector and more on Rootle PBS KIDS, the PBS KIDS Video app and the PBS app this Autism Awareness Month. 

Carl the Collector is a groundbreaking animated series featuring autistic and neurodivergent characters. Created by author and illustrator Zachariah OHora, the show was inspired by his experiences with inclusive schools, where all students—regardless of their needs—have equal access to education and social interaction. OHora's son, who attended such a school, taught him a valuable lesson when he befriended a classmate on the autism spectrum without seeing any difference between them. This “lightbulb moment” inspired OHora to create Carl, a raccoon with autism, and bring authentic neurodiverse representation to the screen. With autistic writers, consultants, and voice actors shaping the series, Carl the Collector offers a genuine and humorous look at friendship, individuality and the power of thinking differently. Read more from an interview with Zachariah OHora from PBS Wisconsin.  

Watch Carl the Collector Saturdays and Sundays in April, 7— 10 AM and 1— 4 PM on Rootle PBS KIDS. Episodes are streaming now on the PBS KIDS Video app and pbskids.org. 

Hero Elementary: AJ’s Extra Superpower 

When a little girl’s toys keep disappearing from her backyard, Sparks’ Crew discovers the culprit is a neighbor’s dog. How will they keep it out? AJ’s Extra Superpower (his autism) is the key. Then, the team heads to Citytown Hero Con. AJ is dressed as his hero, Jetman Jones, and is shocked to see that many people are also dressed like him. How will he find the real Jetman Jones in the crowd? 

Watch Hero Elementary on Rootle PBS KIDS and the PBS KIDS Video app, streaming now. 

Autism: Life on the Spectrum 

An estimated 1 in 58 North Carolinians live on the Autism Spectrum. During Autism Acceptance Month, join us as we meet artists, teachers, and others on the spectrum, and learn about the work being done to eliminate stigma and demystify the science that surrounds this neural disorder. 

Watch Autism: Life on the Spectrum, streaming now on the PBS app. 

Blawesome Flower Farm: Redefining Inclusion & Purpose | My Home, NC

Raimee Sorensen, a young man with autism, finds success through Blawesome, a flower farm he founded with his mom, Rebecca. The farm fosters meaningful work opportunities and exemplifies that our communities are stronger with spaces where everyone thrives. In this story, follow Raimee as he harvests vibrant blooms and delivers bouquets to his community, proving that disability is not inability.

Watch My Home, NC's "Blawesome Flower Farm: Redefining Inclusion & Purpose", streaming now on the PBS app. 

Understanding Autism 

Understanding Autism follows filmmaker Scott Steindorff as he aims to discover more about his own autism. Speaking to autistic people all across the spectrum, he seeks to reframe the perception of autism by focusing on the identification, diagnosis, and treatment by highlighting the amazing talents and love of neurodiversity. 

Watch Understanding Autism, streaming now on the PBS app. 

The Life Autistic 

Iowans with autism illustrate the nuances of The Life Autistic in this two-hour broadcast documentary. Host Tyler Leech, a member of Iowa’s community of people with autism, guides us through all twelve stories from the original Iowa PBS web series. 

Watch The Life Autistic, streaming now on the PBS app. 

In A Different Key 

A mother tracks down the first person ever diagnosed with autism, now an elderly man living in rural Mississippi, to learn if his life story holds promise for her own autistic son. Her journey exposes a startling record of cruelty and kindness alike, framed by forces like race, money and privilege – but leads to hope that more communities are learning to have the backs of people on the spectrum. 

Watch In A Different Key, streaming now on the PBS app only with PBS NC Passport.