Mattel introduces Barbie with autism
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Mattel's new Barbie has elbow and wrist joints, enabling it to make gestures some people with autism use to process sensory information or express excitement.
PHOTOS: BARBIE/INSTAGRAM
WASHINGTON – Mattel has unveiled a Barbie with autism, the toy giant’s latest offering aimed at inviting a broader range of children “to see themselves” represented in the iconic plastic doll.
The Barbie line, which first introduced dolls with disabilities in 2019, already features Barbies with type 1 diabetes Down syndrome
Autism is a complex and broad-spectrum neurodevelopmental disorder. It has multiple origins, primarily linked to a combination of predominantly genetic and environmental factors.
Mattel said it developed its first Barbie doll with autism with guidance from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a disability rights organisation seeking equal rights and greater visibility for people with the condition.
The doll is designed “to represent common ways autistic people may experience, process and communicate about the world”, the El Segundo, California-based toymaker said.
Unlike traditional Barbie, the new doll has elbow and wrist joints, enabling it to make gestures some people with autism use to process sensory information or express excitement, Mattel said.
It was also designed with eyes gazing slightly to the side, “which reflects how some members of the autistic community may avoid direct eye contact”.
The dolls come with a sensory stress-relief toy, noise-cancelling headphones and a tablet, the company said, adding that it has pledged to donate 1,000 of them to US paediatric hospitals specialising in autism care.
Current scientific knowledge does not precisely identify all the causes of autism, which has left room for the circulation of numerous false theories, including alleged causal links with vaccines, excessive screen use or taking paracetamol during pregnancy.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, Mattel said on Jan 19 that the Barbie doll with autism is not expected to be available until late 2026 or 2027.
Meanwhile, its line of Barbie dolls designed to reflect the real world and be inclusive – including its doll with type 1 diabetes – is already available in Singapore through some retailers and online platforms.
It added that its inclusivity lines are sold at major retailers such as Toys ‘R’ Us, Takashimaya and Kiddy Palace as well as on e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada. AFP
Additional reporting by Vihanya Rakshika
