Mattel Unveils Its First Autistic Barbie Doll as Part of Diversifying Toy Line
In a significant step towards representation and inclusion, Mattel has launched its first doll that showcases autism. The new addition to the popular Fashionistas range is designed to encourage children to see themselves in Barbie and promote play with dolls that reflect the world around them.
The Autistic Barbie doll was created in collaboration with the US charity, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), which aims to amplify the voices of autistic individuals. The doll's design reflects common experiences of people on the autism spectrum, such as avoiding direct eye contact, using fidget spinners, and wearing noise-cancelling headphones.
The doll also features a tablet with symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication buttons, which can help individuals with autism express themselves more effectively. Additionally, its loose-fitting dress and purple shoes minimize fabric-to-skin contact and promote stability.
This new addition to the Barbie lineup marks a significant milestone in Mattel's commitment to representation and inclusion. The company has already introduced dolls with disabilities such as blindness, wheelchairs, Down syndrome, prosthetic limbs, vitiligo, and hearing aids. The launch of the autistic Barbie doll is seen as a positive step towards normalizing visible markers of autism and promoting awareness about the experiences of autistic girls.
The move has been welcomed by organizations that advocate for autism awareness, such as Ambitious about Autism, which notes that the doll can help raise awareness about autism and its impact on individuals. The organization's CEO, Jolanta Lasota, said that the doll can help normalize these markers, particularly among autistic girls who often go undiagnosed.
The launch of the Autistic Barbie doll also resonates with Ellie Middleton, an author and founder of an online community for neurodivergent people, who believes that it challenges misconceptions around autism and encourages young girls to wear their differences with pride.
In a significant step towards representation and inclusion, Mattel has launched its first doll that showcases autism. The new addition to the popular Fashionistas range is designed to encourage children to see themselves in Barbie and promote play with dolls that reflect the world around them.
The Autistic Barbie doll was created in collaboration with the US charity, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), which aims to amplify the voices of autistic individuals. The doll's design reflects common experiences of people on the autism spectrum, such as avoiding direct eye contact, using fidget spinners, and wearing noise-cancelling headphones.
The doll also features a tablet with symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication buttons, which can help individuals with autism express themselves more effectively. Additionally, its loose-fitting dress and purple shoes minimize fabric-to-skin contact and promote stability.
This new addition to the Barbie lineup marks a significant milestone in Mattel's commitment to representation and inclusion. The company has already introduced dolls with disabilities such as blindness, wheelchairs, Down syndrome, prosthetic limbs, vitiligo, and hearing aids. The launch of the autistic Barbie doll is seen as a positive step towards normalizing visible markers of autism and promoting awareness about the experiences of autistic girls.
The move has been welcomed by organizations that advocate for autism awareness, such as Ambitious about Autism, which notes that the doll can help raise awareness about autism and its impact on individuals. The organization's CEO, Jolanta Lasota, said that the doll can help normalize these markers, particularly among autistic girls who often go undiagnosed.
The launch of the Autistic Barbie doll also resonates with Ellie Middleton, an author and founder of an online community for neurodivergent people, who believes that it challenges misconceptions around autism and encourages young girls to wear their differences with pride.
!! Mattel is doing IT RIGHT 
! This Autistic Barbie doll is a GAME CHANGER 
! It's about time we see more representation of neurodiversity in toys, especially for autistic girls who often get overlooked 
. The fact that they collaborated with ASAN and included features like the tablet with augmentative communication buttons? 
Genius move by Mattel! This doll is not just a toy, it's a tool to promote acceptance and inclusion 
. I'm so grateful to see brands like Mattel taking this step towards creating a more inclusive world 
. Bring on more diverse dolls and toys that reflect the beauty of neurodiversity 
!
I'm so glad Mattel is finally adding some realism to its Barbie dolls! The new autistic doll is a game-changer - it's about time we start seeing more diversity in toys. I mean, who says you have to be able to make eye contact or wear fancy shoes to be beautiful? 
This doll is awesome because it shows that people with autism are just like everyone else, and they deserve to be represented in a positive way.
Anyway, I think this doll is a great step forward and I hope it inspires more kids (and adults!) to love themselves just the way they are. 
. This is such an amazing step forward for Mattel and it's awesome that they collaborated with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) 
. It's about time we started to normalize visible markers of autism and show the world that being autistic is just as cool as being able-bodied 
! I can already imagine how empowering it must feel for kids to see themselves in this doll, especially autistic girls who are often overlooked 
. Let's keep pushing for more inclusive toys and representation in media, we're getting closer to a world where everyone can see themselves and their differences celebrated 
!
They're finally recognizing the importance of representation and inclusion in toys. It's amazing how much impact these small changes can have on kids' perception of themselves and others. I mean, who wouldn't want a doll that looks like them or reflects their experiences? 
This new Autistic Barbie doll is a game-changer, especially for autistic girls who often get overlooked or misunderstood. The attention to detail in its design is also super thoughtful - who knew avoiding direct eye contact could be so cool? 
And let's not forget the tablet with communication buttons - that's pure genius! 
I think this launch will have a lasting impact on kids' perceptions of autism and it's about time we saw more toys like this. Can't wait to see what Mattel comes up with next 
As someone who's lived through the '80s and '90s where kids with autism were just ignored or stared at, I can see how important this doll is for little ones to see themselves in Barbie. It's a game changer, trust me! 
My grandkids are always asking about "other kinds" of people and why they're different, so it's amazing that Mattel is finally giving them a doll that shows autism as just one part of who someone is. The attention to detail on this doll is also so cool - I mean, who knew that fidget spinners could be a thing? 
My grandkids would totally love this! 
finally a doll that shows autistic girls can be cool too 
It's like they're saying 'you're not good enough' or something! 
The fact that this doll is designed with autistic kids in mind and features actual experiences from people on the autism spectrum makes me so happy