Overview
- Sales begin January 12 at Mattel Shop and Target for a suggested $11.87, with Walmart stores adding the doll in March.
- The doll features articulated elbows and wrists for stimming, a side-shifted eye gaze, noise-reducing headphones, a fidget spinner, and a tablet depicting AAC.
- A flowy A-line dress and flat shoes were chosen to reduce fabric-to-skin contact and support stability during play.
- Autistic advocates welcomed the representation as authentic and joyful, while noting no single toy can capture the full spectrum.
- The release expands Barbie’s Fashionistas line that includes dolls representing Down syndrome, blindness, Type 1 diabetes, prosthetics, and other differences, with facial details inspired by underrepresented backgrounds.