Press release
Barbie® Introduces the First Autistic Barbie Doll, Championing Representation for Children through Play
The doll was developed in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT)
About this update from Mattel, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nThe doll was developed in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN).\n\n\n EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nMattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) unveiled today its first-ever autistic Barbie doll created with guidance from the autistic community to represent common ways autistic people may experience, process, and communicate about the world around them. This doll invites more children to see themselves represented in Barbie.\n\nThis press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260111166960/en/Barbie® Introduces the First Autistic Barbie Doll, Championing Representation for Children through Play. The doll was developed in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN).\nDeveloped for more than 18 months in partnership with ASAN, a non-profit disability rights organization run by and for autistic people that advocates for the rights of the autistic community, this doll joins the Barbie Fashionistas collection, which features the most diverse range of skin tones, hair textures, body types, and various medical conditions and disabilities.\n\n\n“Barbie has always strived to reflect the world kids see and the possibilities they imagine, and we’re proud to introduce our first autistic Barbie as part of that ongoing work,” said Jamie Cygielman, Global Head of Dolls, Mattel. “The doll, designed with guidance from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, helps to expand what inclusion looks like in the toy aisle and beyond because every child deserves to see themselves in Barbie.\"\n\n\nIn close collaboration with ASAN, the Barbie design team made intentional design choices for the autistic Barbie doll to authentically reflect some experiences individuals on the autism spectrum may relate to. The autistic Barbie doll features and accessories include:\n\n\n\nBody: The autistic Barbie doll features elbow and wrist articulation, enabling stimming, hand flapping, and other hand gestures that some members of the autistic community use to process sensory information or express excitement.\n\n\n\nEye Gaze: The doll is designed with an eye gaze shifted slightly to the side, which reflects how some members of the autistic community may avoid direct eye contact.\n\n\n\nAccessories: Each doll comes with a pink finger clip fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones and...