Autistic Barbie

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.

TheCatWoman said:

a community of dolls

Great idea. I had a selection of dolls in national costume - but they didn't have differently-abled dolls.

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.

I think it’s decent. Obviously there can’t be a universal representation of autism since it’s very different for everyone, and since the doll isn’t alive you can’t see its social communication skills and RRBs (but an AAC device and fidget spinner do show that in a way). If someone wanted it who doesn’t use ear defenders for example then they can just not use that part

It could also just open up conversation, like explain that the AAC is how some people communicate, then further that by explaining other ways people do (like sign language, sounds, gestures, idk). Same with the other parts.

Also the hands move which could make more stimming options I guess..

But either way there are going to be autistic people who do match the doll, so unless a portrayal is actually harmful then I don’t know why people try to say if things are bad/good rep (like in shows for ex, there just needs to be a range of rep not get rid of the stereotypical ones). The doll itself looks kinda meh so I would never buy it but I’m not a doll person so

Alien0n3arth said:

There was also Barbie with down syndrome

I saw Ellie Goldstein talking about Barbie with down syndrome on Strictly last year. She seemed happy about it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/65384581 

I get your point. Completely but I dont know how else they could do it as autism doesn't have a look.

I googled out of curiosity, I must admit I like her! Yes, it definitely has much to do with marketing, but If it makes kids happy, then I think it's OK. There was also Barbie with down syndrome,  also criticised,  but girls with down syndrome were happy (at least those shown in a video). Otherwise I don't have any strong opinion about it. 

I think it's probably a good thing but I can see why people would see it as a negative. I think there is an element of companies are damned if they do and damned if they don't at the moment. Autism isn't acknowledged - it isn't inclusive. Autism is acknowledged - they're criticised for the way it is done.

I don't know how else you could have an autistic representative toy without giving it things like ear defenders. But I get that's not representative of all autistic people and yes I see your point about marketing.

But I do think if something like a Barbie is going to educate children about others with autism and I guess "normalise" it in a way then I do think it's a good thing.

My sister had a Sindy doll and she later got Sindy’s wardrobe, bed and other furniture. One year I was given Sindy’s sister Patch, along with her pony which came with a bridle, saddle and fencing. I played a bit with the tack and fencing but it wasn’t very appealing. 

I wonder if they will produce a Barbie with dyslexia or ADHD? My mind boggles.

I don't have an opinion on the doll itself. However, some credit should be given to Mattel for consulting with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network while designing the thing. 

I think a autistic Barbie is morbid, especially if the only way a doll can be labelled as neurodivergent are the accessories that they come with. It's not the props that make someone autistic, they're coping mechanism to make it through a neurotypical world, they're not autism itself. 

If it's supposed to raise awareness of autism for neurotypicals, then you will need Mattel to manufacture enough dolls and enforce a marketing strategy that everywhere where Barbies are sold there will also be an autistic Barbie on display..... sounds realistic? NAH.

If it's meant for autistic people to identify themselves as autistic.... well that's coals to Newcastle. 

Besides, the props that Mattel uses to exemplify what an autistic Barbie would look like are stereotypical too. Not all on the spectrum use all of them, and some don't even use a single one (including myself).

I fear to say that the autistic Barbie will quickly fade into history as Allan did.

I had a Sindy doll and it was the only doll I liked, I never liked baby dolls or anything like that.

I think it would be good to have a community of dolls, all races, genders and none, religions, so as children could play and reflect the real world around them

I didn’t like dolls either. I always loved animals and spent much of my free time with them. 

The manufacturer of Barbie might have a chance of more sales if they introduced Barbie’s dogs and other animals,  although I don’t think that would be a big hit either as they wouldn’t be particularly plush.