Mattel announced the launch today, revealing the doll was developed over 18 months in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a nonprofit disability rights organization run by and for autistic people.
The new addition joins the Barbie Fashionistas collection, which features diverse skin tones, hair textures, body types, and various disabilities.
The doll includes thoughtful design elements that reflect experiences common in the autistic community. It features elbow and wrist articulation for stimming and hand flapping, an eye gaze shifted slightly to the side to reflect how some autistic individuals may avoid direct eye contact, and comes with a spinning fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones, and a tablet displaying AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) apps.
ASAN Executive Director Colin Killick said:
“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.”
Autism advocate Madison Marilla, who has been collecting Barbie dolls since age four, said:
“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.”
To celebrate the launch, Barbie is donating over 1,000 dolls to 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.
The autistic Barbie doll is now available on Mattel Shop and from major retailers.
