After Barbie with type 1 diabetes, Mattel has just launched a new model for its inclusive collection. The objective is to foster a feeling of representation and inclusion in children.
She is the first doll with autism created by the toy manufacturer and is part of the Barbie Fashionistas collection, a collection that “celebrates diversity and offers endless possibilities for telling stories and exploring fashion.”
To achieve a doll that is as true to neurodivergence as possible, the brand partnered with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). As the company describes, autistic Barbie doesn’t wear loose hair and headphones without a reason.
“Because autism can affect fine motor skills, she wears her hair down and wears noise-cancelling headphones. More than a simple accessory, they help you relax when you are sensitive to stimuli,” says the .
In addition to these features, the doll also comes with a ‘fidget spinner’, an accessory that helps children with special needs such as autism and anxiety, flat shoes to help with stability and an “Augmentative and Alternative Communication tablet”, a tool that helps expression beyond speech.
How does the autism “constitutes a diverse group of conditions related to brain development.” Characteristics of people with this condition “can be detected in early childhood” but “is usually not diagnosed until much later.”
There are people with autism who are able to be independent and others who have greater difficulty or need for care throughout their lives.
