Mattel Launches Its First Autistic Barbie

Mattel has released its first-ever autistic Barbie, marking a major step in how children’s toys represent neurodivergent experiences.

Created in collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the new doll is designed to reflect how autistic people experience the world, not just how they look. It includes thoughtful details such as noise-cancelling headphones, a fidget spinner, and a communication tablet — small tools that can make everyday life more manageable for autistic children.

The doll also features specific articulation to allow “stimming,” including hand-flapping and other repetitive movements that help many autistic people regulate sensory input.

Autistic author and content creator Ellie Middleton, who was among the first to meet the doll, called the experience “very emotional,” saying it made her feel seen in ways she had never experienced growing up.

Parents of autistic children say the new Barbie offers something deeply meaningful: a way for kids to recognize themselves in a toy and for others to better understand differences that are often misunderstood.

Mattel says the doll is part of a broader effort to make its toys more inclusive, following earlier releases such as Barbie with Down syndrome, Blind Barbie, and Barbie with Type 1 diabetes.