By Jocelyn Zeng, Founder of JoinedPuzzles.org

As a rising college freshman and longtime volunteer with children on the autism spectrum, I’ve learned so much — but some of the most personal lessons came from growing up with my sister, Jessica. She’s autistic, and early on, even simple communication was a challenge. One surprising tool that helped us bond? Cartoons.

“Jessica, please stop watching that silly show!” My mom was frustrated with Jessica’s obsession with SpongeBob SquarePants, worried it was holding her back. But I saw something different: a chance to connect. The over-the-top voices, exaggerated facial expressions, and clear emotions weren’t just funny to Jessica — they helped her understand people.

Whenever she was overwhelmed, I’d pull out my SpongeBob impressions. I’d mimic Patrick’s confused tone or Squidward’s grumpiness, and she’d immediately light up. It became our shared language — a way to communicate emotions when words didn’t work. Curious about how deep this connection could go, I even created emotion cards using SpongeBob scenes. Two weeks later, Jessica surprised us. After a tough day at school, she told my mom, “That boy annoyed me… just like SpongeBob annoys Squidward.”

That moment reminded me that cartoons aren’t just entertainment. They can be powerful tools for kids on the spectrum — helping with emotional understanding, social behavior, and even life skills. I’ve seen it firsthand with Jessica, and research backs it up.

Cartoons Teach Emotional Awareness

Many children with autism have trouble recognizing emotions — whether on a classmate’s face or in their own body. Cartoons make emotions easier to see and understand. Characters often state exactly how they feel. Their expressions are exaggerated. And their voices match the emotion clearly.

The Transporters, a cartoon specifically created for autistic kids, features mechanical vehicles with real human faces showing consistent emotional expressions. A study by Golan et al. found that after just four weeks of watching, children improved significantly in emotion recognition — even matching the performance of typically developing peers.

*Scene from The Transporters showing vehicles with human faces*

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood offers another approach. Every episode revolves around a common feeling — frustration, disappointment, jealousy — and teaches coping strategies through song. Jessica used to sing those songs under her breath during tough moments. “When you feel so mad that you want to roar, take a deep breath and count to four…” It was clear she was using what she’d learned.

Cartoons Model Social Behavior

Social interactions can be especially hard for autistic children. They’re fast, unpredictable, and full of unspoken rules. Cartoons slow things down and repeat the same social scripts in comforting ways.

Jessica often struggled with social cues — but she noticed them in cartoons. Studies like one by Robain et al. in 2022 used eye-tracking to show that autistic children paid more attention to cartoon characters than realistic videos, especially when those children had stronger adaptive functioning.

In our house, SpongeBob became more than a show — it was a social playbook. Jessica learned about interrupting, sarcasm, and apologies through the characters. If SpongeBob made a mistake, she’d recognize it. And if I asked her how she felt, she’d often describe it using scenes from the show. “That girl was acting like Plankton!” she'd say — and we instantly understood.

*Jessica’s clay creation of SpongeBob characters!*

Life Skills Made Easier Through Animation

Beyond emotions and behavior, cartoons can also help with everyday routines. For many kids on the spectrum, brushing teeth, going to the bathroom, or getting dressed can feel overwhelming — because the steps aren’t clear or the sensory experience is stressful.

That’s where animated video modeling comes in. These short, repeatable videos break tasks into simple, visual steps. Jessica learned to brush her teeth by watching one cheerful animated routine again and again.

Research backs this up too. A study by Andriyani et al. showed that animated video modeling helped children with autism make meaningful gains in toilet training — increasing independence and reducing anxiety.

**Screen Time Isn’t the Enemy — It’s About How You Use It**

I know — parents often worry about screen time. That’s totally fair. But not all screen time is created equal.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, high-quality media that’s co-viewed and discussed with an adult can support learning and development. What matters isn’t just how much screen time a child has — but what they’re watching and how they’re engaging with it.

That’s why, in our house, I didn’t just let Jessica binge SpongeBob alone. We watched together. We laughed. We quoted lines. And we used what we saw to talk about feelings, friendship, and even forgiveness.

Even “Silly” Cartoons Can Have Real Value

Not every cartoon needs to be made for therapy to be helpful. Jessica connected deeply with SpongeBob — not because it was calm or quiet, but because it was consistent, exaggerated, and familiar.

Autistic kids often gravitate toward predictability. Shows like Bluey, Peppa Pig, and even SpongeBob follow recognizable patterns. As caregivers, the key is to guide kids toward shows that offer structure, warmth, and positive messages — then reinforce those lessons through play or conversation.

Cartoons Are Affordable, Accessible, and Engaging

Therapy isn’t always available or affordable. Cartoons, on the other hand, are everywhere — on PBS Kids, YouTube, or streaming services — often for free.

And the best part? Kids like Jessica want to rewatch their favorite episodes. That repetition is perfect for reinforcing social stories, calming strategies, or daily routines. It’s not about replacing therapy — it’s about adding another helpful tool to the toolbox.

Final Thoughts

Cartoons helped me understand my sister. They helped her understand the world. Whether it was Daniel Tiger teaching her how to calm down, or SpongeBob giving us our own emotional “code language,” animation became a bridge between us.

So if your child or buddy has a show they love — even if it seems silly — watch it with them. See what lessons it might hold. Cartoons can open doors to growth, independence, and connection.

Your Turn

Have cartoons helped your child, sibling, or buddy with autism learn or grow?
What shows have made a difference in your home?

Share your story in the comments below or connect with us on our JoinedPuzzles Instagram. Let’s keep learning — and laughing — together.

Works Cited

American Academy of Pediatrics. “Media and Young Minds.” Pediatrics, vol. 138, no. 5, Nov. 2016, e20162591. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-2591.

Golan, Ofer, et al. “Enhancing Emotion Recognition in Children with Autism Spectrum Conditions: An Intervention Using Animated Vehicles with Real Emotional Faces.” Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, vol. 40, no. 3, Mar. 2010, pp. 269–79. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-009-0862-9.

Rasmussen, Eric E., et al. “Promoting Preschoolers’ Emotional Competence Through Prosocial TV and Mobile App Use.” Media Psychology, vol. 22, no. 1, Jan. 2019, pp. 1–22. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2018.1476890.

Robain, François, et al. “Measuring Social Orienting in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Cartoons Stimuli.” Journal of Psychiatric Research, vol. 156, Dec. 2022, pp. 398–405. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.10.039.

S., Andriyani, and Putri S. T. “Implementation of Video Modeling Animation on Toilet Training Ability in Autism Spectrum Disorders.” IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, vol. 23, no. 2, Apr. 2024, pp. 91–97. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.31436/imjm.v23i02.2379.