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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

  • 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. 

  • in reply to illustrated.lady

    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.

  • in reply to profdanger
    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. 

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