The first Barbie doll with autism just landed. She’s part of the diversity and inclusion campaign Mattel launched a few years ago. They released the first Barbie with Down syndrome in 2023, and the first Barbie with Type 1 diabetes last summer.
From the Official Mattel YouTube page:
In partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the new autistic Barbie doll was designed with thoughtful care and deep insight – recognizing that this doll represents how individuals on the autism spectrum may experience, process and express the world around them, and that every experience is unique.
Barbie is teaming up with advocates for the autistic community, including mother-daughter duo Precious and Mikko Mirage, autism advocate and creative entrepreneur Madison Marilla and autistic fashion designer and visual artist Aarushi Pratap, to celebrate their lived experiences and lifestyles.
The intentional design choices include a new face sculpt with a gentle side gaze, articulated elbows and wrists for natural hand movements, and a sensory-sensitive dress.
Her soft pinstripe outfit, flat shoes, and low-contrast colors were created for comfort, while accessories include noise-canceling headphones, a spinning finger-clip fidget, and a symbol-based AAC tablet to represent real tools used for sensory regulation and communication.
This doll invites more children to see themselves in Barbie and serves as a joyful reminder that every way of experiencing the world is unique and that every child’s potential is limitless.
[YouTube: Mattel]
