Name: Mattel adds an autistic Barbie to line devoted to showcasing diversity
Uploaded: 2026-01-13T10:03:04.075Z
Duration: 1 min 49 s
Description: Mattel Inc. is introducing an autistic Barbie 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 Inc. is introducing an autistic Barbie 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.

London

Mattel has released an autistic Barbie doll, created in collaboration with the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, to better represent autistic children and promote diversity within its iconic toy line. The doll includes accessories such as noise-cancelling headphones, an AAC tablet, and a fidget spinner to reflect common autistic experiences.

This release follows previous Barbie dolls representing other disabilities and conditions, including blindness and Down syndrome. Mattel aims for the new doll to help autistic children see themselves represented and to encourage conversations about inclusion among children, parents, and educators.

Mattel adds an autistic Barbie to line devoted to showcasing diversity

Oh, she's so nice. I feel like I'm actually going to cry. At 28 years old, Ellie Middleton says this is the first time she's seen a doll that reflects her day-to-day experience as an autistic person. She's looking off to the side slightly, which is really nice because, yeah, I basically never make eye contact. Developed with advice from the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, Autistic Barbie wears noise-cancelling headphones to protect her from loud noises, carries an AAC tablet, which some autistic people use to communicate, and a pink fidget spinner that provides an outlet for stimming or self-stimulatory behaviour. I think it's so nice to see those parts of, I guess, myself that I'm maybe embarrassed of sometimes or not as proud of as I should be, but seeing those as part of who she is, I think, was really nice to see. Barbie's small and so petite. Introduced in 1959, the first Barbie was an instant hit, but was criticised for her improbable physique. Over the years, Mattel has made an effort to be more inclusive and have Barbie reflect the experiences of women of different sizes, ethnicities and those with disabilities. Autistic Barbie follows in the footsteps of blind Barbie, Barbie with Down syndrome and Barbie with type 1 diabetes. Look what I've got. Designing autistic Barbie wasn't easy given that autism exists on a spectrum and represents a vast range of behaviours and experiences. This mother says the doll helps normalise something that could otherwise make her daughter feel excluded. It's huge for children to have a Barbie that represents them. It helps with inclusion and it will help with opening conversations also between children, adults and educators. Mattel says its hope is that girls with autism can now see in Barbie a bit of themselves. You move.

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