Barbie, an iconic doll and a lucrative empire, has undergone numerous transformations since its debut in 1959 to represent diverse women in terms of style, race, profession, and ability, generating billions of dollars for its creator. The recent release of an autistic Barbie by Mattel has sparked a crucial conversation about representation in the toy industry.
The new autistic Barbie, unveiled by Mattel, aims to depict visual characteristics and accommodations associated with individuals on the autism spectrum. This release follows extensive consultations with the Autism Self Advocacy Network. While only a small percentage of the population, about two per cent in the country, is diagnosed with autism, there is a lack of toys that reflect and celebrate their unique traits.
For individuals like Katherine L’Etang, a social media influencer and mother of two autistic children, the arrival of an autistic Barbie is a significant moment. However, some critics argue that the doll may perpetuate stereotypes and misconceptions about autism by focusing too much on visual traits that don’t necessarily represent all individuals on the spectrum.
L’Etang, who shared her excitement on social media about the doll, believes that the representation of autism in a mainstream toy is a step towards visibility and acceptance. While she appreciates the effort by Mattel, others, like author Julie M. Green, express concerns about the doll’s features not accurately representing the diversity within the autism community.
Green suggests that a more inclusive approach would involve offering a broader range of accessories that children could use to customize the dolls to represent themselves more authentically. Despite the mixed reactions, the release of the autistic Barbie is part of Mattel’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, as seen in their Fashionista line featuring dolls with physical disabilities and unique characteristics.
Developmental science researcher Kristyn Sommer highlights the risk of creating a narrow expectation of how autistic children should look through the new Barbie. While the doll includes some positive representations, such as augmentative and alternative communication apps, there are concerns about oversimplifying the complexity of autism.
Despite the ongoing debate, the discourse around the autistic Barbie is deemed valuable by many, raising awareness about the importance of accurate and inclusive representation in the toy industry. The hope is that this initiative will inspire other companies to consider greater inclusion of autistic children in their product lines, even if they face challenges in getting it right.
Overall, the release of the autistic Barbie reflects a growing awareness of the need for diverse and authentic representation in mainstream toys, with ongoing discussions aimed at improving representation for all individuals, including those with autism.