Mattel has launched its first ever autistic Barbie, the latest addition to its diverse Barbie Fashionistas collection.
Designed in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), the new Barbie is intended to reflect real autistic people’s experiences, with Mattel stating that it “invites more children to see themselves represented” in the doll.
“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 Mattel’s global head of dolls Jamie Cygielman.
As such, the autistic Barbie comes wearing a loose fitting lavender and white striped dress, flat-soled shoes, and pink noise-cancelling headphones — clothing informed by the sartorial choices people may make when managing sensory processing issues. As fitting her focus on fashion, Barbie’s headphones are colour coordinated with her tablet (which shows symbol-based apps designed to enable communication without speaking) and her fidget spinner (which actually spins).
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Credit: Mattel
Barbie’s body also features articulated elbow and wrist joints so she can stim, while her gaze is deliberately shifted slightly off-centre. Mattel states that this design choice “reflects how some members of the autistic community may avoid direct eye contact.” Her hair is also worn loose, “as autism can impact fine motor skills.”
“It is so important for young autistic people to see authentic, joyful representations of themselves, and that’s exactly what this doll is,” said ASAN executive director Colin Killick. “We’re honored to see this milestone come to life, and we will keep pushing for more representation like this that supports our community in dreaming big and living proud.”
Mattel has further announced it will donate over 1000 autistic Barbie dolls to various U.S. children’s hospitals that provide special services for autistic children.
This autistic Barbie isn’t the first doll in the Barbie Fashionistas collection with a disability. The company previously released a Barbie with Down syndrome in 2023, as well as both a blind doll and one with type 1 diabetes last year. The Barbie Fashionistas collection includes over 175 dolls, spanning across different skin tones, body types, and disabilities.
Autistic Barbie is available now for $10.99 at Amazon and Target, and $10.97 at Walmart.
