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Autistic Barbie

TheCatWoman

They've just launched autistic Barbie, with pink noise cancelling headphones, tablet and clothes that don't irritate the skin and other features.

Do you find it good, bad or indifferent?

I'm not sure what to think, on the one hand anything that makes people feel included and to have toys that "look like them" is a good thing, but on the other it seems a cynical marketing ploy.

Parents

  • As a child, I was never a fan of Barbie, as it seemed like all the accessories for Barbie were only available in one colour... girlie pink.

    For children who know they are autistic, enjoy playing with dolls, are accustomed to wearing noise cancelling headphones, etc, then I can understand the appeal of having an autistic Barbie that "looks like" them.

    Mattel have to be seen to be ticking the right boxes. As a company, I feel it's impossible for them to represent every ASD child, and I think the autistic Barbie is what I consider to be an ASD stereotype.

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  • As a child, I was never a fan of Barbie, as it seemed like all the accessories for Barbie were only available in one colour... girlie pink.

    For children who know they are autistic, enjoy playing with dolls, are accustomed to wearing noise cancelling headphones, etc, then I can understand the appeal of having an autistic Barbie that "looks like" them.

    Mattel have to be seen to be ticking the right boxes. As a company, I feel it's impossible for them to represent every ASD child, and I think the autistic Barbie is what I consider to be an ASD stereotype.

Children
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