Mattel launches first 'Autistic Barbie' with stims and sensory features

Mattel has released the company's first-ever Barbie doll with autism that comes with stimming hands, a tablet, as well as a fidget spinner among other features to signal that the doll is supposed to have autism. 

The doll was developed by the company in partnership with the US charity the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and took 18 months to launch. The doll is supposed to display how some children with autism communicate in the world.

“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,” Global Head of Dolls at Mattel Jamie Cygielman said.

“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," Cygielman added.

The autistic Barbie, aside from the hands and accessories, was designed with the condition in mind. The doll's eyes have a gaze that is shifted slightly to the side, showing how some with autism do not always make eye contact.

The doll also has "sensory-sensitive fashions," according to Mattel. The outfit is "a loose-fitting, purple pinstripe A-line dress with short sleeves and a flowy skirt that provides less fabric-to-skin contact."

“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," ASAN Executive Director Colin Killick said.