Mattel on Monday introduced its first Barbie doll with autism, adding to its line of Fashionistas dolls designed to promote inclusivity.
The American toy manufacturing giant stated it developed the doll in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a nonprofit group, over an 18-month period. The nonprofit, headquartered in Washington, advocates for improved media representation of people with autism.
Creating a single doll to represent the diverse experiences of autistic individuals presented a significant challenge, according to Noor Pervez, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s community engagement manager, who worked closely with Mattel on the prototype.
Understanding Autism as a Spectrum
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental condition impacting how individuals interact with others, learn, and behave. It is viewed as a spectrum, meaning each person exhibits a unique combination of characteristics. These characteristics vary in their presence and visibility, and can evolve over time.
The concept of a spectrum moves away from the outdated notion of a linear scale where individuals are considered “more” or “less” autistic. Mattel stated its goal was to create a Barbie that reflects some of the ways autistic people experience and process the world.
The new Barbie’s design incorporates subtle features intended to reflect autistic experiences. For example, the doll’s eyes are positioned slightly to the side, representing a tendency some autistic individuals have to avoid direct eye contact. The doll also wears an A-line dress with short sleeves and a flowy skirt, chosen to minimize fabric-to-skin contact, as some autistic people experience sensitivity to seams and textures.
Each doll includes a pink finger clip fidget spinner, noise-canceling headphones, and a pink tablet modeled after communication devices used by some autistic individuals who have difficulty with verbal communication.
In a separate matter, former US President Donald Trump last year claimed a link between autism and the use of acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, during pregnancy. However, the European Medicines Agency subsequently issued a statement affirming there was no new evidence to support this claim and declared paracetamol safe for use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is autism spectrum disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental condition that affects how people interact with others, learn, and behave, and is characterized by a unique set of characteristics for each individual.
How did Mattel work to accurately represent autism in the doll?
Mattel developed the doll in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network over 18 months, and incorporated features like slightly angled eyes and a comfortable dress to reflect common autistic experiences.
What accessories come with the new Barbie?
The doll comes with a pink finger clip fidget spinner, noise-canceling headphones, and a pink tablet modeled after devices used for communication.
Will this doll lead to broader representation of neurodiversity in the toy industry, and what impact might that have on public perception?
