Mattel just announced its first-ever Barbie doll with autism. Unveiled on January 11 after 18 months of partnering with Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a non-profit disability rights organization run by and for people with autism, the doll’s body features elbow and wrist articulation, enabling stimming, hand flapping, and other hand gestures that some people on the spectrum express. The doll’s eyes gaze slightly to the side, since some people may avoid direct eye contact.
She’s wearing a loose-fitting, purple pinstripe A-line dress with short sleeves and a flowy skirt that provides less fabric-to-skin contact. Her purple shoes have flat soles to promote stability and ease of movement.
Each doll comes with a pink finger clip fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones and a tablet.
Easterseals President and CEO Kendra Davenport lauded Mattel’s efforts for inclusivity.
“At Easterseals, we work every day alongside autistic children, adults and families who want the same things we all want: to be understood, respected, and supported as they navigate the world. We know how powerful it is when people are truly seen for who they are,” she says. “The care taken in the design sends an important message that people with disabilities deserve to be represented with thoughtfulness and respect. Representation in play shapes how children and adults understand themselves and how they understand one another. When people see themselves reflected, it builds confidence. When they’re introduced to different ways of experiencing the world, it builds empathy. We welcome efforts like this that center the voices of the disability community. It’s how we move closer to a world where every child knows they belong.”
In New Jersey, about 1 in 29 children (or 3.4 percent) have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), compared to 1 in 31 in the country, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This new doll was designed to be realistic and representative of the autistic community.
“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,” Jamie Cygielman, Global Head of Dolls for Mattel, says in a statement from the company. “The doll, designed with guidance from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, helps to expand what inclusion looks like in the toy aisle and beyond because every child deserves to see themselves in Barbie.”
The doll is part of the Barbie Fashionistas collection, which has a diverse range of skin tones, hair textures, body types, and various medical conditions and disabilities – such as Type 1 diabetes, blindness and Down syndrome.
“As proud members of the autistic community, our ASAN team was thrilled to help create the first-ever autistic Barbie doll. It is so important for young autistic people to see authentic, joyful representations of themselves, and that’s exactly what this doll is,” Colin Killick, executive director of ASAN, says in the statement. “Partnering with Barbie allowed us to share insights and guidance throughout the design process to ensure the doll fully represents and celebrates the autistic community, including the tools that help us be independent. 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.”
To celebrate the launch, Barbie will donate more than 1,000 autistic Barbie dolls to leading pediatric hospitals that provide specialized services for children on the autism spectrum, including Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Rady Children’s Hospital Orange County, California.
Also as part of the launch, Barbie released a video with mother-daughter duo Precious and Mikko Mirage, autism advocate and creative entrepreneur Madison Marilla, and autistic fashion designer and visual artist Aarushi Pratap where they talk about their experiences.
“Dolls have always brought me comfort, stability and joy. I’ve been collecting Barbie dolls since I was 4 years old, and now this autistic Barbie will be one of my favorites,” Marilla says. “My good friend said these words to me: ‘Let yourself out and don’t hold yourself in,’ and it taught me how to educate people about autism. This autistic Barbie makes me feel truly seen and heard. I hope all the kids I’ve mentored feel the same when they see her, and I hope people who aren’t autistic feel educated and gain a better understanding of autism when they see this doll.”
The autistic Barbie doll is now available on Mattel Shop and from major stores.
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