Barbie introduces autistic doll with sensory-friendly design

A New Representation in the World of Barbie

Barbie is making history with the launch of its first autistic doll, a significant step towards inclusivity and representation. This new addition to the Barbie Fashionistas line aims to showcase how individuals with autism spectrum disorder experience their surroundings. The doll has been designed with specific features that reflect the unique needs and experiences of people on the autism spectrum.

Design Features That Matter

One of the key design elements of this doll is the inclusion of flexible elbow and hand joints. These joints are intended to support stimming, which refers to repetitive body movements that some individuals with autism use to process sensory information. This thoughtful design allows for a more authentic representation of the daily experiences of those who engage in such behaviors.

In addition to the physical features, the doll comes with accessories that resonate with the autistic community. These include noise-canceling headphones, which many autistic individuals use to manage sensory overload. The doll also sports loose-fitting clothing, a common preference among those who may find tight or restrictive clothing uncomfortable. Another accessory is a tablet preloaded with augmentative and alternative communication apps, which can be essential tools for communication for some individuals on the autism spectrum.

Collaboration with the Autistic Community

The development of this doll was not a solitary effort. Mattel worked closely with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the autistic community. This collaboration ensured that the doll would accurately reflect the experiences and needs of autistic individuals. The partnership spanned over 18 months, highlighting the commitment to creating a product that is both meaningful and representative.

The doll will be available starting January 12 at the Mattel Shop and Target, with a suggested retail price of $11.87. It will later be rolled out to Walmart stores nationwide in March, making it accessible to a broader audience.

Autism in the Public Eye

The release of this doll coincides with increased attention on autism in the national spotlight. This attention has been fueled by controversial statements from the Trump administration regarding the potential link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism. In September 2025, President Trump and his health aides claimed that Tylenol could contribute to the development of autism in children, a stance that has been met with skepticism from the medical community.

Despite the lack of conclusive evidence linking Tylenol to autism, some members of the autism community continue to seek answers and solutions. This has led to various efforts aimed at understanding and addressing the condition.

Autism is not a physically visible disorder. But some people with autism may rely on certain items or types of clothing as they move through the world, which Barbie tried to reflect in the doll and its accessories.

The Barbie with autism is designed with an eye gaze shifted slightly to the side, which "aims to reflect how some members of the autistic community may sometimes avoid direct eye contact," Mattel said in a release.

According to a 2022 study in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, researchers have varying theories about why autistic people may avoid eye contact, but many studies point to hyperactivity in a part of the brain known as the amygdala.

Each doll comes with the same accessories: a pink finger clip fidget spinner, pink noise-canceling headphones and a pink tablet.

The tablet shows symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication apps, which help people who have an impairment or limitation in speech, language or reading including those with autism, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The Barbie's outfit is a loose-fitting pinstripe A-line dress and purple Mary Jane-style flat shoes. Mattel said the dress is flowy so as to provide less fabric-to-skin contact, and the shoes promote stability.

Autistic Barbie is latest in inclusive doll line

The autistic Barbie is the latest addition to the Barbie Fashionistas collection, which is aimed at being the most diverse and inclusive line of the doll. Recently, in July 2025, Mattel launched a Barbie with Type 1 diabetes.

As part of the autistic Barbie's launch, Mattel also said it is teaming up with several prominent faces in the autism community: Madison Marilla from Netflix's "Love on the Spectrum," mother-daughter influencers Precious and Mikko Mirage and fashion designer Aarushi Pratap.

In statements, they all said the new autistic Barbie will allow others to feel understood.

“When other families see this Barbie, I hope it helps bridge the gap. I hope they feel included in the conversation and in the spaces where neurotypical individuals already belong. Because we belong here too," Precious Mirage said.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Barbie debuts autistic doll with sensory-sensitive, stimming features

Increasing Representation in Popular Culture

In recent years, portrayals of individuals with autism have become more prevalent in popular culture. Shows like "Love on the Spectrum" and "The Good Doctor" have helped to shed light on the diverse experiences of people on the autism spectrum. With the introduction of the new Barbie doll, the autistic community now has another opportunity to see themselves represented in a widely recognized and beloved children's toy.

Colin Killick, executive director of ASAN, emphasized the importance of seeing authentic and joyful representations of oneself. He stated, "It is so important for young autistic people to see authentic, joyful representations of themselves, and that’s exactly what this doll is." The collaboration with Barbie allowed ASAN to share insights and guidance throughout the design process, ensuring that the doll fully represents and celebrates the autistic community, including the tools that help them be independent.