'Carl The Collector' Introduces A New Non-Speaking Character Who Uses A Speech Tablet

"If you've never watched PBS Kids' Carl the Collector, you're missing out. The series is set in Fuzzytown and follows Carl, the titular raccoon who has autism, and his special interest is in creating collections. It's the network's first series to star a character on the spectrum, and include more neurodiverse characters around them, like Carl's bestie Lotta the fox who is also autistic. And on Monday, Carl is going to connect with a new furry friend representing yet another kind of kid with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) - and Scary Mommy has the exclusive first look."

"Paolo has autism and is "largely non-speaking/preverbal," according to a press release from PBS, so he communicates with the help of a speech tablet (also known as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device). Paolo is voiced by Odin Frost, a voice actor who is autistic and non-speaking, and uses an AAC device himself."

The series is set in Fuzzytown and follows Carl, a raccoon on the autism spectrum whose special interest is creating collections. The network's first series to star a character on the spectrum includes other neurodiverse characters like Lotta, a fox who is also autistic. An episode titled "A New Friend" introduces Paolo, a largely non-speaking autistic child who communicates using a speech tablet (AAC). Paolo loves outer space and collecting items like Carl. Paolo is voiced by Odin Frost, an autistic, non-speaking voice actor who uses an AAC device. The episode demonstrates AAC appearance, usage, and conversational etiquette.

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