Mattel Launches Autism-Inclusive Barbie to Reflect Diverse Experiences

Mattel introduced a Barbie with autism as part of its Barbie Fashionistas line, developed with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network to reflect how some people with autism experience the world. The doll features a side-eye shift, articulated elbows and wrists for stimming, a looser A-line dress, flat shoes, and accessories like a pink fidget spinner, noise-canceling headphones, and a tablet. It joins other inclusive dolls and will cost about $11.87, available online and at Target from Monday, with Walmart stocking it in March. The CDC says about 1 in 31 eight-year-olds in the U.S. have autism, with higher rates among nonwhite groups.