Mattel unveiled its first-ever autistic Barbie doll last week, and she comes with several technology items, including noise-canceling headphones in Barbie pink. Some individuals with autism use headphones to reduce sensory overload and block out background noise.
The new Barbie doll also features a pink finger-clip fidget spinner that actually spins, serving as a sensory outlet to reduce stress and improve focus. She holds a pink tablet displaying symbol-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication apps, which help some individuals with autism communicate.
"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, global head of dolls for Mattel. "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 Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a non-profit disability rights organization run by and for autistic individuals. Mattel and ASAN collaborated for over 18 months to develop the doll.
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Doll's design and fashions
In addition to the headphones, AAC tablet and fidget-spinner accessories, Mattel constructed the doll itself differently than past Barbies. It features elbow and wrist articulation. In the press release, Mattel notes that this enables "stimming, hand flapping and other hand gestures that some members of the autistic community use to process sensory information or express excitement."
The first autistic Barbie doll joins Mattel's Fashionistas line, which includes dolls with Down syndrome, type 1 diabetes and blindness, among other dolls.
The doll's eye gaze is shifted slightly to the side, and Mattel notes this reflects "how some members of the autistic community may avoid direct eye contact."
Fashion has always been a vital part of Barbie dolls. The autistic Barbie wears 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, not the typical Barbie high heels, to promote stability and ease of movement.
The autistic Barbie joins Mattel's Fashionistas doll line. Other dolls in the line represent people with type 1 diabetes, Down syndrome and blindness. As part of the launch, Mattel is donating 1,000 autistic Barbie dolls to pediatric hospitals across the country.
The doll is on sale now. We found it priced for $11 at Target online and Walmart and $11.87 at Amazon.