Barbie Launches First Autistic Doll

The Barbie is available Monday at Mattel Shop and Target.

Barbie launched its very first autistic doll to represent how individuals with autism spectrum disorder experience the world around them.

The doll is part of Barbie’s Fashionistas Line, and includes intentional design choices like flexible elbow and hand joints for stimming, referring to repetitive body movement behavior some people with autism engage in to process sensory information.

The Barbie’s accessories also reflect those that some autistic people sport, like noise-canceling headphones, loose-fitting clothing and a tablet with Augmentative and Alternative Communication apps.

The Barbie is available Monday at Mattel Shop and Target. In March, it will roll-out to Walmart stores nationwide.