'Autistic Barbie': Representative, or insensitive?

Kay Morgan-Gurr  |  Comment
Date posted:  21 Jan 2026
Share Add       
'Autistic Barbie': Representative, or insensitive?

Barbie Fashionistas Doll #245 in Purple Striped Dress, Autistic Barbie With Accessories. Image: Mattel (shopping.mattel.com)

Mattel has created an "Autistic Barbie."

The doll was launched on 11 January, but is already receiving very polarised reviews.

To quote Mattel’s website announcement, the doll has very specific features: “Body: 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.

Share
< Previous article| Comment| Next article >
Read more articles on:   autism  /  disability & accessibility
Read more articles by Kay Morgan-Gurr >>
World
Paracetamol, vaccines and the truth about autism

Paracetamol, vaccines and the truth about autism

Once again, we see another myth about autism emerging. Earlier this week, President Trump claimed that taking paracetamol during pregnancy …

Comment
Disability: What do you see?

Disability: What do you see?

I recently saw a social media post from a well-known disabled person. He’d been out for a meal with friends, …

Subscribe

Enjoy our monthly paper and full online access from just £18/year

Find out more

About en

Our vision, values and history

Read more