The new doll was made in collaboration with the Autism Self Advocacy Network.
Mattel just released its first autistic Barbie doll.
The new doll was developed in collaboration with the Autism Self Advocacy Network, a grassroots organization that focuses on disability rights and is run for and by autistic people.
After an 18-month development process, Mattel is releasing the new Barbie in an effort to help more kids see themselves represented in the iconic line of dolls, according to a press release.
Through its collaboration with ASAN, Mattel made deliberate design choices to create the new autistic Barbie. For instance, articulation in the wrist and elbow, which allows for expressive gestures including stimming and hand flapping.
Her eye gaze is also slightly shifted to the side, a nod to the way some autistic people might avoid direct eye contact.
The new doll also comes with a few key accessories, including pink noise-canceling headphones to reduce sensory overload, a fidget spinner and a tablet with augmentative and alternative communication apps, a set of digital tools that some autistic people find helpful in communicating with others.
Her clothes were also designed with the autism community in mind. The flowy, A-line dress Barbie wears is loose-fitting to prevent the fabric from coming into contact with her skin, and her matching purple shoes have flat soles to provide balance support.
"It is so important for young autistic people to see authentic, joyful representations of themselves, and that’s exactly what this doll is," Colin Killick, executive director of ASAN, said in the press release.
Killick said the collaboration gave the ASAN team the chance to "share insights and guidance," ensuring that the doll "fully represents and celebrates the autistic community, including the tools that help us be independent."
This Barbie is joining the diverse Fashionista line, which also features dolls with Type 1 diabetes, blindness and Down syndrome. Back in 2018, Sesame Street introduced Julia, its first muppet with autism.
As part of the launch, Mattel is donating 1,000 autistic Barbie dolls to pediatric hospitals across the country, a move that's intended to bring "moments of joy, comfort, and representation to the community, reinforcing the power of play to foster connection and confidence," according to the press release.
Eu já disse varias vezes por aqui que eu AMO bonecas inclusivas,e já tenho Barbie cadeirante,Barbie cega,Barbie diabética,Barbie amputada...eu simplesmente amo,e acho que bonecas inclusivas sao super necessarias ❤
Eu comprei essa lindinha no Amazon,e ela irá chegar na quarta feira dessa semana,e eu já estou contando as horas para que ela chegue logo,para eu coloca-la juntinho das outras Barbies inclusivas 😍
Ela nao é um amorzinho? A diabética eu nem tirei da caixa ainda,e essa,provavelmente eu tambêm nao irei tirar...vamos vêr. As outras todas eu tirei e as coloquei na vitrine rs. Apesar de quase todo mundo detestar as Fashionistas,eu gosto delas...nao todas,claro,mas boa parte,eu gosto! Mesmo algumas vindo com roupinhas simples e muitas vezes até com defeito. Mas pelo valor delas,nem dá para exigir muito nao rs,agora quando alguma vêm com defeito,se for do Amazon,eu troco,e se for de alguma loja e eu nao tenha como voltar para trocar (a loja de brinquedos fica longe aqui de casa),eu simplesmente compro outra online,pois elas realmente sao baratissimas,entao eu me dou a esse "luxo",pois é menos desgastante comprar outra,do que trocar rs.
