Home / Arts and Entertainment / Autistic Barbie Launched with Stimming Features
Autistic Barbie Launched with Stimming Features
27 Jan
Summary
- The autistic Barbie, released January 11, 2026, includes accessories like a fidget spinner.
- It was designed with the Autism Self Advocacy Network for authentic representation.
- The doll features hinged joints and unique eye-gaze for autistic traits.
Mattel has introduced a new autistic Barbie doll to its Fashionistas series, launched on January 11, 2026. This doll aims to offer greater diversity within the toy line, joining previously released dolls representing blindness and Type 1 diabetes. The design process involved an 18-month collaboration with the Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), an organization run by and for autistic individuals.
The autistic Barbie comes with several accessories meant to reflect common tools and traits. These include noise-cancelling headphones, a fidget spinner, and a pink tablet with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) apps. The doll also features design elements such as hinged elbows and hands to facilitate stimming, a repetitive action used for self-regulation. Additionally, her eyes are depicted looking away, acknowledging that some autistic individuals find direct eye contact challenging.
Public reception to the autistic Barbie has been varied since its release. While some praise the move towards representation, others, like 11-year-old Ellis Loreto-Lee, emphasize that autism manifests differently in each individual and that this doll shouldn't be seen as the sole representation. Heather Brown, an associate professor at the University of Alberta, noted the doll's potential to raise awareness, particularly for how autism presents in girls.
