Overview
- Mattel developed the doll over more than 18 months with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a disability-rights group run by autistic people.
- The design includes articulated elbows and wrists for stimming, a slightly averted gaze, noise-reducing headphones, a finger-clip fidget spinner, an AAC-style tablet, a loose-fit dress, and flat shoes.
- The suggested retail price is $11.87, with sales beginning Jan. 12 at Mattel Shop and Target and a wider Walmart rollout planned for March.
- Mattel is donating more than 1,000 dolls to pediatric hospitals that provide specialized services for children on the autism spectrum.
- The release expands Barbie’s Fashionistas line focused on inclusion and has drawn praise for visibility alongside caution that no single toy can represent the full autism spectrum.