Introducing the First Autistic Fashion Doll
The Barbie fashionista collection has allowed children to see themselves when they play. Some of these dolls are in a wheelchair, have diabetes, wear hearing aids, or have Downs Syndrome. Now a new doll on the block is being released who is on the spectrum.
According to a statement emailed to Goodnet, the first doll with Autism was created with help from the autistic community. The doll was designed to represent the ways that people on the spectrum experience and interact with the world around them.
About the Doll
The new Barbie Doll was created in collaboration with ASAN, a non-profit disability rights organization that is run by and for autistic people. To make the doll realistic, it includes some special features.
Some of these include designing the doll with a face sculpt and with an eye gaze that shifts slightly to the side, which is common in the autistic community. The doll features elbow and wrist articulation that allows for hand flapping and stimming.
The clothing is loose fitting and has less skin contact and the accessories that come with the doll include a fidget spinner, headphones, and a tablet.
“As proud members of the autistic community, our ASAN team was thrilled to help create the first-ever autistic Barbie doll. It is so important for young autistic people to see authentic, joyful representations of themselves, and that’s exactly what this doll is,” Colin Killick, executive director, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) said in the statement.
Launching the Doll
The new Barbie launched on December 12, 2026. As part of the introduction, Barbie teamed up with advocates for autism including the mother-daughter team Precious Hill and Mikko Mirage and creative entrepreneur Madison Marilla. A unique video was filmed with them about their experiences with autism and their reactions to the doll.
“Dolls have always brought me comfort, stability, and joy. I’ve been collecting Barbie dolls since I was four years old, and now this autistic Barbie will be one of my favorites,” said Marilla
Before the launch, Mattel sent the new Barbie to Mikko and her mother, reported CNN. When viewing the doll for the first time, five-year-old Mikko’s eyes lit up with joy to see a doll that had a fidget spinner and oversized headphones like her. That’s because Mikko is non-verbal and uses an ACC device which helps people communicate.
“Autism is such an invisible disability at times, and to see that it’s being represented through Barbie – everybody knows who Barbie is – it felt really good,” Hill told CNN. “It’s really important to me that Mikko walks through life having representation. It really matters to me that she’s not alone.”
To celebrate this amazing launch, according to the statement, Barbie will donate more than 1,000 autistic Barbie dolls to leading pediatric hospitals that provide specialized services for children on the spectrum. The donation will help foster connection and confidence for the recipients.
