Mattel’s autistic Barbie matters more than you think

Mattel’s autistic Barbie matters more than you think

When Mattel introduced its new Barbie with autism last month, it did something deceptively simple and quietly powerful: It reflected the real world back to children. For decades, Barbie has been both celebrated and debated. But some things about her have never changed: She is a master at reinvention, and she is everywhere. Barbie is more than a novelty plaything — she’s the doll that kids spot in the toy aisle, beg to buy, and bring back home to…

Autistic Barbie: A New Step Toward Representation

Photo courtesy of First Steps Developmental Services On Jan. 11, 2026, global toy maker Mattel, Inc. introduced the very first Autistic Barbie doll — a groundbreaking addition to its iconic Barbie Fashionistas line created to reflect the diversity of children’s lives around the world.  The Autistic Barbie was created over more than 18 months in close collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a nonprofit organization run by an…