New doll joins the brand’s collection dedicated to inclusion and diversity
announced this Monday (12) the first with autism. The launch is a partnership with Asan (Autistic Self Advocacy Network) and it took more than 18 months of development until they reached the final version of the new doll, which aims to expand the line of dolls aimed at inclusion, such as: Barbie with Down syndrome and Barbie in a wheelchair.
According to Noor Pervez, who is Asan’s community engagement manager and worked together with Mattel in the Barbie development process, “autism does not have a single appearance”, but, for him, it is possible to address the characteristics of how autism expresses itself.
Therefore, some of the doll’s differences are: the addition of a headset, often used by autistic people to cancel noise, therefore reducing sensory overload; “touch-sensitive” clothing to reduce skin contact and an unfocused gaze, thinking about autistic people who avoid direct eye contact.
Colin Killick, CEO of Asan, said “As proud members of the autism community, our team was thrilled to help create the first autistic Barbie.” For him, it is essential that young autistic people can see themselves represented in an “authentic and positive” way, which is why the expansion of the Barbie line that seeks inclusion and diversity.
