The first-ever autistic Barbie doll has been born. According to a media statement, the doll was developed in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). According to a leading global toy and family entertainment company, Mattel, Inc., the doll was in development for a period of over 18 months.

“Barbie has always strived to reflect the world kids see and the possibilities they imagine,” said Jamie Cygielman, Global Head of Dolls, Mattel.

The first-ever autistic Barbie doll sees the light of day

This development process was done in partnership with ASAN. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a non-profit disability rights organisation run by and for autistic people. It advocates for the rights of the autistic community.

It joins the Barbie Fashionistas collection, which features the most diverse range of skin tones, hair textures, body types, and various medical conditions and disabilities.

“The doll helps to expand what inclusion looks like in the toy aisle and beyond because every child deserves to see themselves in Barbie.”

Barbie® Introduces the First Autistic Barbie Doll

The Barbie design team made intentional design choices for the autistic Barbie doll to authentically reflect some experiences that individuals on the autism spectrum may relate to. This was done in close collaboration with ASAN.

An Executive Director at Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Colin Killick, 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 autistic Barbie doll features and accessories include:

• Face and Body: Along with a new face sculpt, the autistic Barbie doll features elbow and wrist articulation, enabling stimming, hand flapping. There are also other hand gestures that some members of the autistic community use to process sensory information or express excitement.
• Eye Gaze: The doll is designed with an eye gaze shifted slightly to the side. This reflects how some members of the autistic community may avoid direct eye contact.
• Accessories: Each doll comes with a pink finger clip fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones and a tablet.
  • Fidget Spinner: The doll holds a pink finger clip fidget spinner that actually spins, offering a sensory outlet that can help reduce stress and improve focus.
  • Headphones: Pink noise-cancelling headphones rest on top of the doll’s head as a helpful and fashionable accessory that reduces sensory overload by blocking out background noise.
  • Tablet: A pink tablet showing symbol-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication apps (AAC) on its screen. This serves as a tool to help with everyday communication.
• Sensory-Sensitive Fashions: The doll wears a loose-fitting, purple pinstripe A-line dress with short sleeves and a flowy skirt. This provides for less fabric-to-skin contact. Purple shoes complete the outfit, with flat soles to promote stability and ease of movement.

Championing Representation for Children through Play

Staff at Mattel, Inc. say the doll was created with guidance from the autistic community. This was to represent common ways autistic people may experience, process, and communicate about the world around them. At the same time, this doll invites more children to see themselves represented in Barbie.

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