Mattel has unveiled its inaugural autistic Barbie, broadening its inclusive Barbie Fashionistas range. Developed in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), this new doll seeks to reflect genuine autistic experiences, with Mattel highlighting its importance in enabling more children to identify with the doll.
“Barbie has consistently sought to reflect the world children observe and the possibilities they envision, and we’re delighted to introduce our first autistic Barbie as part of that continuous endeavor,” remarked Jamie Cygielman, Mattel’s global head of dolls.
The autistic Barbie is attired in a relaxed lavender and white striped dress, flat footwear, and pink noise-cancelling headphones—design choices shaped by the preferences of individuals who navigate sensory processing challenges. Her headphones coordinate with her tablet, which showcases symbol-based applications for non-verbal communication, along with her spinning fidget spinner.
Barbie’s physique features articulated elbow and wrist joints for stimming, and her gaze is slightly off-center, embodying the way some autistic individuals may evade direct eye contact. Her hair is styled loosely, recognizing that autism can impact fine motor abilities.
“It is vital for young autistic individuals to encounter genuine, joyful depictions of themselves, and that’s precisely what this doll represents,” stated ASAN executive director Colin Killick. “We are privileged to witness this significant achievement, and we will persist in advocating for further representation that inspires our community to aspire and live with pride.”
Mattel also revealed it will contribute over 1000 autistic Barbie dolls to numerous U.S. children’s hospitals that provide specialized services for autistic children.
This autistic Barbie is not the first doll in the Barbie Fashionistas collection to embody a disability. The company had previously launched a Barbie with Down syndrome in 2023, alongside a blind doll and another with type 1 diabetes last year. The Barbie Fashionistas collection boasts over 175 dolls, highlighting a wide array of skin tones, body shapes, and disabilities.
The autistic Barbie is currently available for $10.99 at Amazon and Target, and $10.97 at Walmart.