Mattel unveils autistic Barbie doll
The doll was developed with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network to reflect common autistic experiences.
Mattel has introduced its first autistic Barbie doll, which the toy maker says is designed to represent ways autistic people may experience, process and communicate about the world.
Mattel said in an announcement said the doll was developed for more than 18 months in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and joins the Barbie Fashionistas collection, which features a diverse range of skin tones, hair textures, body types and representations of medical conditions and disabilities.
Mattel added that its design team added elbow and wrist articulation to enable stimming and hand gestures, and gave the doll an eye gaze shifted slightly to the side.
Each figure includes a pink finger clip fidget spinner that spins, noise-cancelling headphones that rest on top of the head, and a pink tablet displaying symbol-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication apps.
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The doll wears a loose-fitting purple pinstripe A-line dress and purple flat-soled shoes.
“Barbie has always strived to reflect the world kids see and the possibilities they imagine, and we’re proud to introduce our first autistic Barbie as part of that ongoing work,” said Jamie Cygielman, Mattel's global head of dolls.
The Recap
- Mattel launches its first autistic Barbie doll in Fashionistas collection.
- More than 1,000 dolls donated to pediatric hospitals including CHLA.
- The autistic Barbie is now available on Mattel Shop and retailers.
