A new animated television series geared at giving young children a better understanding of the autism spectrum has been backed by BBC children’s network, CBeebies.

The show, commissioned by Hollywood producer Paper Owl Films, has already gone into production in Northern Ireland, under UK distributor Cake Entertainment.

Pablo will follow a five-and-a-half-year-old boy with a passion for drawing, who ‘draws to life’ characters with autistic traits using magic crayons.

Aimed at two-to-five-year-olds, the show will see lead character Pablo turn his life challenges into adventures to be tackled by the autistic characters his crayons conjure up.

“We have scripts that are really original and different because they are being driven by people who are on the autism spectrum,” says series creator, Gráinne McGuinness, of Paper Owl.

“We’re also casting the voice talent from people who are on the spectrum to give it an authentic voice. The creative result is amazing and inspirational,” he added.