"Mattel Inc. is introducing an autistic Barbie on Monday as the newest member of its line intended to celebrate diversity, joining a collection that already includes Barbies with Down syndrome, a blind Barbie, a Barbie and a Ken with vitiligo, and other models the toymaker added to make its fashion dolls more inclusive. Mattel said it developed the autistic doll over more than 18 months"
"For example, the eyes of the new Barbie shift slightly to the side to represent how some people with autism sometimes avoid direct eye contact, he said. The doll also was given articulated elbows and wrists to acknowledge stimming, hand flapping and other gestures that some autistic people use to process sensory information or to express excitement, according to Mattel. The development team debated whether to dress the doll in a tight or a loose-fitting outfit, Pervez said."
Mattel introduced an autistic Barbie as part of its diversity-focused doll line that already includes models with Down syndrome, blindness and vitiligo. The doll was developed over more than 18 months in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. The design aims to reflect some autistic experiences while acknowledging autism’s wide variability and often nonvisible traits. Design features include eyes that shift slightly to the side to represent occasional avoidance of direct eye contact and articulated elbows and wrists to acknowledge stimming and hand flapping. Clothing choices reflected sensory differences, resulting in an A-line dress with short sleeves and a flowy skirt.
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