Overview
- The $11.87 doll goes on sale Jan. 12 at Mattel Shop and Target, with a wider Walmart rollout set for March.
- Design elements include a slightly averted gaze and articulated elbows and wrists to support stimming play.
- Accessories include pink noise-canceling headphones, a working fidget spinner and a tablet showing symbol-based AAC, plus a loose A-line dress and flat shoes for sensory comfort.
- Advocates at ASAN and other groups praised the representation while noting autism varies widely and no single toy can capture every experience.
- The launch expands Barbie’s Fashionistas range, and the India release drew mixed online reactions alongside a pledge of partial proceeds to the India Autism Center.