Autism advocates celebrate release of ‘magical’ first-ever Barbie on the spectrum
CNN••general
Key Points:
- Mattel has launched the first Barbie doll with autism, featuring accessories like a pink fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones, and an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to reflect characteristics and tools used by some autistic individuals.
- The doll’s design includes subtle details such as a gaze that avoids direct eye contact and loose-fitting clothing to represent sensory preferences common among people with autism.
- The doll was developed in collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network to authentically represent autistic individuals and promote visibility for the roughly 1 in 31 U.S. children diagnosed with autism by age 8.
- Mothers diagnosed with autism later in life, like Precious Hill and Eileen Lamb, emphasize the importance of representation in toys to foster understanding
