Mattel adds Barbie with autism to doll line devoted to showcasing diversity and inclusion

Mattel has unveiled its latest Barbie doll, this time with autism, as part of its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in its fashion dolls.

The new Barbie is the result of a collaboration between Mattel and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights and better representation of people with autism. The goal was to create a doll that reflects some of the ways autistic individuals may experience and process their surroundings, according to the company.

However, creating an autistic Barbie proved to be a challenging task. Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects individuals in different ways, making it difficult to pinpoint specific traits associated with the condition. Noor Pervez, ASAN's community engagement manager, explained that autism doesn't look like one person - "it looks many ways."

To capture this complexity, Mattel incorporated subtle details into the doll's design. For example, the Barbie's eyes shift slightly to the side to represent how some individuals with autism may avoid direct eye contact. The doll also features articulated elbows and wrists, which are meant to acknowledge stimming gestures, such as hand flapping or fidgeting.

The dress worn by the Barbie was chosen for its comfort and practicality, taking into account that many autistic individuals have sensory sensitivities. A loose-fitting outfit with short sleeves and a flowy skirt was deemed more suitable than a tight-fitting dress.

Other accessories, including flat shoes, pink finger clips, noise-canceling headphones, and a tablet modeled after communication devices used by some autistic individuals, were also included to promote stability and ease of movement.

The addition of the autistic Barbie has sparked a conversation about representation in toys. Mattel is expanding its Fashionistas line to include dolls with different abilities, such as those with Down syndrome, Type 1 diabetes, hearing aids, and prosthetic legs. The company's goal is to reflect the world kids see and the possibilities they imagine.

The doll will be available online and at Target stores starting Monday, priced at $11.87.

I'm all for diversity in fashion dolls, but I gotta ask, did Mattel really get it right? The idea of an autistic Barbie is awesome, but creating a doll that accurately represents autism is way harder than just slapping on some blue skin or hair. They incorporated some cool details like the shifting eyes and articulated elbows, which is great for inclusivity. But, let's be real, it's still just a doll... can we expect this to translate to better representation in society? And what about other conditions like ADHD or Tourette's? Are they gonna get their own dolls too?

I'm low-key suspicious about this whole Barbie thing ... I mean, what's really going on here? Is it just a PR stunt to make Mattel look all inclusive and stuff? Like, have they ever thought that maybe their dolls are actually influencing kids' perceptions of autism? Maybe the doll is trying to normalize certain behaviors or traits without fully understanding them. And what about the "representation" aspect? Are they really listening to autistic voices or just throwing some tokenism our way? I don't know, man... it all feels a bit fishy

omg I think this is so cool that Mattel is finally doing something about representation in toys!!! I mean we've seen all these amazing dolls of different skin tones and body types but never anything that actually represents neurodiversity like autism, it's time we stop making assumptions and just get it right and btw what's up with the price, $11.87 is a lil steep for a doll imo but I guess its worth it if its gonna make a difference

idk what's more cringeworthy, the fact that they had to create a "autistic" barbie or the fact that they finally got it kinda right . i mean, who wouldn't want a doll that reflects how some people with autism experience the world? its not like they just made it up as they went along. and i love that they included details like the shifting eyes and stimming gestures. now, if they can get the hair situation right... lol . seriously though, this is a step in the right direction and im glad to see companies taking representation seriously. 11.87 bucks tho? u gotta be kidding me

omg I just saw this news on my feed and I'm low-key excited like who wouldn't want a Barbie that's relatable to their friends or family members with autism?! it's so cool that Mattel worked with ASAN to make sure the doll is accurate and represents autistic individuals accurately... i mean, I've seen those stimming gestures in person and I never knew they were a thing anyway, I do wonder how many people will actually get this Barbie vs just buying it for the 'diversity' aspect

I mean, can you believe it? They're trying so hard to make things more inclusive now . I'm all for it, but have you seen the old Barbie dolls from like 10 years ago? They were so sparkly and full of life! Nowadays they just look kinda bland . Anyway, this new autistic Barbie is pretty cool, I guess. The little details like her eyes not looking straight on or the flat shoes are nice touches . It's great that Mattel is trying to show kids that everyone is different, but also special in their own way . But you know what would be even better? A doll that looks more like a real person, with some imperfections and all . Just saying

I gotta say, it's about time Mattel got on board with creating a more inclusive line of dolls ! Creating an autistic Barbie was no easy feat, but I think they nailed it. The details they included, like the shifting eyes and articulations, are super thoughtful . And can we talk about how comfy that dress is for people with sensory sensitivities? It's all about representation now, and kids deserve dolls that look like them . Now, let's see if other toy companies follow suit !

idk why ppl r so surprised about this new Barbie doll . autism rep is super important and we gotta start seeing it in toys and media. the way mattel did it tho is pretty cool - they didn't just make some generic 'autistic person' doll, but actually took the time to get the details right. i mean, who wouldn't want a Barbie that can stim with those articulated elbows? it's all about representation and making sure kids see themselves in toys. mattel's doing it right by expanding the fashionistas line to include more diverse dolls. lets hope this is just the start of something big

I gotta say, this is a game changer for Mattel! They're really taking a step in the right direction by creating an autistic Barbie that's actually made with thoughtfulness and understanding. I mean, who would've thought that something as simple as eye contact could be so tricky to get right? The details they included in the design are seriously impressive - it's clear they did their research.

But what really gets me is how this doll is part of a bigger movement for Mattel. They're not just stopping at one type of disability, they're going all out and creating a whole line of dolls with different abilities. It's about time we start seeing representation that actually reflects the world we live in. Kids are curious and open-minded - they deserve to see themselves reflected in the toys they play with.

And can we talk about how cool it is that this doll comes with accessories like noise-canceling headphones and a tablet? It's like Mattel is saying, "Hey, we get it. Autistic kids need these things to thrive." I'm excited to see where this goes and what other innovative ideas come out of this collaboration between Mattel and ASAN.

I mean, can you even imagine a Barbie that doesn't have some kind of 'quirk' or 'flaw'? It's about time Mattel decided to get real with its dolls. But, I guess it's only fair to represent all the different types of autistic individuals out there. The fact that they incorporated subtle details into the design is kinda cool, but also a bit... obvious? Like, we're not that hard to understand or anything.

And can we talk about how much this doll is going to cost? $11.87? That's like, two hours of Netflix, am I right? But seriously, it's cute that Mattel is trying to be inclusive and all, but let's keep the prices reasonable, okay?

On a more serious note, I'm kinda stoked that this doll is part of their efforts to expand the Fashionistas line. Representation matters, and if we can start seeing dolls with different abilities in stores, then maybe, just maybe, kids will see themselves reflected back at them.

I'm low-key obsessed w/ Mattel's new Barbie doll ! They're finally listening to people on the spectrum , & it's about time ! Creating a doll that represents autism wasn't easy, but they got it right . The subtle details are everything - those shifting eyes and stimming gestures? so relatable! I love how they considered sensory sensitivities when picking the dress too. It's about time we see more diverse toys that reflect our world . More inclusivity, please ! Kudos to Mattel & ASAN for collabing on this amazing project #AutismAcceptance #DiversityInToys #MattelForGood

I'm so loving this move by Mattel! It's about time we start seeing more diversity in our toys . I mean, can you imagine playing with a Barbie that actually represents how you experience the world? It's like they're speaking my language . The details on this doll are amazing - from the eyes to the stimming gestures (I've got some friends who totally identify with hand flapping ). And it's not just about representation, but also about promoting comfort and practicality for autistic kids . I'm so excited to see more dolls like this in the future!

I gotta say, this new Barbie doll is kinda cool ! They're finally tryin' to make things more realistic, ya know? Like, how some people with autism might look around or move their arms, it's all about representation and makin' kids feel seen. And I like that they didn't just slap a label on it and call it a day, they actually put thought into the design. The fact that the Barbie can flail her hands or wear noise-canceling headphones is genius ! It's like Mattel's tryin' to say, "Hey, we get it, life ain't all rainbows and unicorns." They're makin' a statement about inclusivity, and I'm here for it . Now if they could just make a doll that looks like my old flip phone from back in the day...

I think its pretty cool that Mattel created an autistic Barbie. It shows they really care about making sure their dolls are inclusive and represent people with different needs. The idea of avoiding direct eye contact is a subtle detail that shows they were listening to the autism community . I also love the fact that they included accessories like noise-canceling headphones and communication devices - it's not just about looking different, but feeling seen too . Some people might say its hard to represent autism because every person with autism is unique, but honestly, Imo thats what makes this doll so special . It shows Mattel is willing to take the time to understand and get it right, which is a big deal .

I don’t usually comment but I think it’s kinda cool that Mattel is trying to make their dolls more inclusive . I mean, who hasn’t had a favorite doll or action figure back in the day? It's awesome they're listening to people with autism and trying to represent them in a positive way . The fact that they did their research and tried to capture some of the complexities of autism in the design is really appreciated . I wish more companies would follow their lead and create more diverse products that reflect real life . And hey, at $11.87, it's not like they're breaking the bank either .