Autistic Barbie

No ones ever going to get it right for everyone whether it's Barbie, or Patience and pretending we don't exist, at least this does acknowlege we exist, but I think you're right about it confirming a certain stereotype of ND

It seems Mattel have done their research with this, at least. I even feel a little called out with the clothes thing. But at the same time, I feel like it also pushes a certain stereotype as well. Not all autistics are as sensitive to sound as others or need noise cancelling head phones. There's some that are more sensitive to visual stimuli and require colour tinted glasses, for example.

Expecto_Patronum said:

I saw a girl when I was out today walking along with her Barbie in hand with it's ear defenders on. It did make me smile to think that Barbie could potentially be making that little girl feel a bit better about her own identity or that it could making a neurotypical child more aware of others

Good to see a real example of an autistic Barbie in use.

I saw a girl when I was out today walking along with her Barbie in hand with it's ear defenders on. It did make me smile to think that Barbie could potentially be making that little girl feel a bit better about her own identity or that it could making a neurotypical child more aware of others.

I think, having read a lot about autistic barbie and people's opinions since I found out about it, that I've concluded it is a positive thing. It's not a perfect thing. But if it can make one child's life easier or one child open their mind slightly then it is doing good. 

This is a good thing mostly. The photo of the one I found has a pink fidget spinner. And is wearing a summer dress with ear muffs.

I'm irritated at the moment by negative stereotyping. I see it a lot in women how they use peer pressure, or older women pressure younger women to believe stupid things.

Some context: I had a group meeting yesterday one of the people at the meeting was a senior carer of a certain age who was in charge of aspects of the service. Every time she referred to autistic she used the word 'men' afterwards, as if its something that only inhibits men. I find this really frustrating because there are a large contingent of silly women who don't think this applies to them or their world they want to see (until their child is born autistic perhaps?) Anyway. This seems like a kind of non acceptance which also makes it less likely to make women to want to go for a diagnois or come out if they are.

I think all Barbie accessories are pink and many wouldn't know it's a Barbie without it being pink. It would be good if they could make them more representative of all the traits on the spectrum, but I guess it would be to complicated and not commercially viable. But then I think that about NT Barbie too

I had mixed feelings about this, but having considered different perspectives here, I think that Autistic Barbie is probably a good thing for many.

Some reservations remain. I would like to know the background and numbers of individuals in the research group that Autism Self-Advocacy Network have drawn from. I usually favour decisions working for the needs or desires of the majority, so I wonder how the research group was demographically represented and with autistic individuals being such a diverse group, I wonder if it is even possible to do such a thing. For instance, would autistic individuals with/without noise hypersensitivity be more/less likely to work with the Autistic Self-advocacy Network? Would autistic people with low support needs be less/more likely to be involved in the research? If say 49% of autistic people who fed into the design of the Barbie agreed on pink headphones, is that detrimental to the 51% of people who had negative feelings about her and if so, does it matter? How will this affect non-autistic people’s perception of autism?  Is it even important to have a majority consensus on an autistic Barbie?

Some of these things are unlikely to be neatly resolved, so for now, I tentatively support her, but would feel better if retailers displayed her on a colour wheel platform along with Autistic Barbies that have different traits. Then people could spin the colour wheel round and choose their favourite.

profdanger said:

how excited she would be to see a doll with headphones just like hers

Surely that is the key thing. Put all the commercial considerations aside. If some gets pleasure out of it, then it's enough. A smile makes it worth it. 

I did that too! Of course i remember and they had soul for me and were like humans- each different 

When my wife first asked if we should get it for my daughter’s birthday I found the idea repulsive.

Then I thought about how excited she would be to see a doll with headphones just like hers, so now I’m more on board with it.

Autistic Self-Advocacy Network having a hand in it is a huge plus, too. That makes me feel a little more assured this isn’t just a ploy to get more sales out of a specific demographic. It’s a real attempt to represent us.

Along with my mad silver hair that sticks up into a sort of comb and an ill fitting wardrobe, lol

What about a Barbie modelled on you? A few books in one hand, a wooden spoon in the other (not to stir up trouble; to stir your spicy dishes), a cat on your shoulder and a dog at your heels. 

I remember those. I remember changing the outfits on and off until the tabs got worn and fell off.

Absolutely. I really do think there's a lot of positives to what they've done. But I think they could build on it and make it better.

That would be nice actually, along with other ND ones and be a good talking point for understanding others. 

I was thinking too, as autism was always a stereotypical male, having an autistic Barbie helps bring more awareness that girls get it too?

I remember those, they were always a bit of a treat in a comic when I was ill, along with magic painting books, where you brushed a picture with water and the colours came out.

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I'm still not sure what I think about it, I guess if it makes people feel included it's a good thing, but it does look a bit stereo typical, with its heand phones and tablet, I don't use headphones or a tablet, but like I say it's a start and maybe one that would be useful for a child to signal thier autism to an adult?

I was thinking maybe it would be nice if they did a little range of them representing different presentations on the spectrum and they could perhaps come with little stories about the doll. Showing that the spectrum varies.

My partner asked me about this and initially I didn't like it and my instinct was to reject it - not every autistic person wears big headphones, uses a tablet, wears bright colours but I discussed it a bit more and think that ultimately, they are trying, they have made the effort and if a child out there or even an adult feels represented by this Barbie then it's a good thing. 

Looking a bit further into it, it was created in collaboration with an US Autism charity (not Autism Speaks thankfully) and I think this video really put into perspective for me. The first lady, Madison is on Love on the Spectrum and she collects dolls. 

Is autistic barbie perfect? No, but they're trying and I'm sure many will relate to her. 

Does anyone remember paper dolls that had cut-out clothing with tabs you folded around the doll? These sound positively ancient compared with what's available now. I also remember cutting up old and new clothes to make clothing for my plastic dolls. 

I wasn't allowed to have all the kit for my Sindy doll and didn't have loads of outfits for her either, but I did used to make some, or try too.