Key Takeaways
- Mattel is launching its first autistic Barbie doll as part of its Fashionistas line, with intentional design choices to represent individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
- The doll includes features like flexible elbow and hand joints for stimming, noise-canceling headphones, and a tablet with Augmentative and Alternative Communication apps.
- The autistic Barbie is the latest addition to the Barbie Fashionistas collection, which aims to be the most diverse and inclusive line of the doll.
- The doll will be available at Mattel Shop and Target starting January 12, and will later rollout to Walmart stores nationwide in March.
- The launch of the autistic Barbie comes as the autism community has faced increased attention in the national spotlight, with controversial assertions from President Donald Trump’s administration and increased portrayals of people with autism in popular culture.
Introduction to the Autistic Barbie Doll
The launch of the autistic Barbie doll is a significant step towards representation and inclusion of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The doll, which is part of Barbie’s Fashionistas line, includes intentional design choices like flexible elbow and hand joints for stimming, which refers to repetitive body movement behavior some people with autism engage in to process sensory information. The doll’s accessories also reflect those that some autistic people sport, like noise-canceling headphones, loose-fitting clothing, and a tablet with Augmentative and Alternative Communication apps. This launch is a result of a partnership between Mattel and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a nonprofit disability rights organization that aims to empower the autistic community.
The Design and Features of the Autistic Barbie Doll
The design of the autistic Barbie doll is unique and intentional, with features that aim to represent the experiences of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The doll has an eye gaze shifted slightly to the side, which aims to reflect how some members of the autistic community may sometimes avoid direct eye contact. According to a 2022 study in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, researchers have varying theories about why autistic people may avoid eye contact, but many studies point to hyperactivity in a part of the brain known as the amygdala. The doll comes with accessories like a pink finger clip fidget spinner, pink noise-canceling headphones, and a pink tablet, which shows symbol-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication apps. These features aim to provide a realistic representation of the tools and strategies that some individuals with autism use to navigate the world.
The Importance of Representation and Inclusion
The launch of the autistic Barbie doll is significant not only because of its unique design features but also because of its potential to promote representation and inclusion of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. As Colin Killick, executive director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, said, "It is so important for young autistic people to see authentic, joyful representations of themselves, and that’s exactly what this doll is." The doll’s launch comes at a time when the autism community has faced increased attention in the national spotlight, with controversial assertions from President Donald Trump’s administration and increased portrayals of people with autism in popular culture. The autistic Barbie doll is a step towards promoting understanding and acceptance of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and its launch is a positive development towards a more inclusive and diverse representation of individuals with disabilities.
The Autistic Barbie Doll as Part of the Fashionistas Collection
The autistic Barbie doll is the latest addition to the Barbie Fashionistas collection, which aims to be the most diverse and inclusive line of the doll. The collection has recently launched dolls with different abilities and disabilities, such as a Barbie with Type 1 diabetes. The Fashionistas collection is part of Mattel’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, and the launch of the autistic Barbie doll is a significant step towards this goal. As part of the launch, Mattel is teaming up with several prominent faces in the autism community, including Madison Marilla from Netflix’s "Love on the Spectrum," mother-daughter influencers Precious and Mikko Mirage, and fashion designer Aarushi Pratap. These partnerships aim to promote the doll and raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder.
The Impact of the Autistic Barbie Doll
The launch of the autistic Barbie doll has the potential to promote understanding and acceptance of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. As Precious Mirage, a mother-daughter influencer, said, "When other families see this Barbie, I hope it helps bridge the gap. I hope they feel included in the conversation and in the spaces where neurotypical individuals already belong. Because we belong here too." The doll’s launch is a positive development towards a more inclusive and diverse representation of individuals with disabilities, and its potential impact should not be underestimated. The autistic Barbie doll is a step towards promoting representation and inclusion, and its launch is a significant development in the world of toys and disabilities.