First autistic Barbie doll launched with sensory-sensitive features

[cooljethro]

The world’s first autistic Barbie doll, which includes sensory-sensitive features, has been launched.

The doll, released by toy company Mattel, features specific design elements which have been carefully chosen to reflect experiences common among some autistic people so more children can “see themselves in Barbie”.

This includes a gaze subtly directed to the side, mirroring how some autistic individuals may avoid direct eye contact, and fully bendable elbows and wrists, which allows repetitive movement such as hand flapping that some members of the autism community use to “process sensory information or express excitement”.

Ellie Middleton, an autistic and ADHD author and advocate, described meeting the doll as “very emotional”.

I think moves like this towards inclusivity for the autistic community, can only be a good thing.

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/autistic-barbie-doll-mattel-video-b2898705.html

 

[Jenisautistic]

 

[Tired]

Will you buy it?

 

[Jenisautistic]

Will you buy it?

yes I’m excited to see a doll like that

 

[Dagan]

I both appreciate and yet have to laugh that they knew to give it eyes that aren't looking straight at you. I approve.

 

[Judge]

I both appreciate and yet have to laugh that they knew to give it eyes that aren't looking straight at you. I approve.

That classic "autistic gaze" so many so often misinterpret given a lack of eye contact.

Autism and Staring | Advanced Autism Services

 

[the_tortoise]

That's awesome!

I love things like this...everyday things that reflect autism acceptance are a sign of real change happening in the world; the real catalysts of change, too.

 

[cooljethro]

Will you buy it?

I won't buy it personally as I tend to aspire to gender norms and age appropriate behaviour, even if I fail to this end, at times.

I think it is good for kids or teenagers though or perhaps certain autistic adults even.

 

[Shamar]

I think moves like this towards inclusivity for the autistic community, can only be a good thing.

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/autistic-barbie-doll-mattel-video-b2898705.html

This could be for real, and I sincerely hope it is, but my cynic alarm is going off, and it looks a lot to me like Pandering for Profit. Adjustable arms and wrists for hand flapping? I'm willing to bet the hands are moveable, but are too stiff to actually flap. Eyes painted to look averted? Turn the head a bit.

 

[vergil96]

Adjustable arms and wrists for hand flapping?

Some models of Barbie have arms tak bend in elbows and wrists. It's not just this Barbie.

 

[Tired]

This could be for real, and I sincerely hope it is, but my cynic alarm is going off, and it looks a lot to me like Pandering for Profit. Adjustable arms and wrists for hand flapping? I'm willing to bet the hands are moveable, but are too stiff to actually flap. Eyes painted to look averted? Turn the head a bit.

Of course things like this are made for profit. But still better this than another vampire or princess.

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

When I first saw the doll, I was excited for the representation until I saw the fidget spinner and communication board. Seriously, why does everyone think all autistics like fidget spinners and that none of us can actually speak? We’re not all the same. I hate fidget spinners and only spun one just out of curiosity of how well it moved freely and then I put away never to touch it again. That was ten years ago. The communication board annoys me less since I get that’s how non verbals speak but still it isn’t all of us. What I would have liked is longer hair similar to what we used to get in the 80s and 90s that can be brush for a long time and even able to be styled. That’s the type of stim I prefer. Brushing the hair of fashion dolls just feels soothing for me and I like making braids and trying to create elaborate updos with said braids.

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

Why does everyone think we all love fidget spinners? That annoyed me tbh. Also, the hair should be really long just like the older Barbie’s from the 80s and 90s because I have always enjoyed brushing long soft hair and styling it and trying to create hairstyles like braided updos or a beehive or even a geisha look. That’s the type of stim I enjoy.

 

[Tired]

It's just a representation. They can't show all autistics in one doll, because you all are different - some like something, someone dont.
They made things associated with autism, specifically in kids - non-verbal, stimming, comfy clothes, headphones, no eye-contact, hand flapping when excited.
It's same as representing for example women in cartoons. Small noses, huge make up eyes, thin waist, often pink clothes, big lips. Doesn't mean all women are like that, but it's what is associated with us.

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

It's just a representation. They can't show all autistics in one doll, because you all are different - some like something, someone dont.
They made things associated with autism, specifically in kids - non-verbal, stimming, comfy clothes, headphones, no eye-contact, hand flapping when excited.
It's same as representing for example women in cartoons. Small noses, huge make up eyes, thin waist, often pink clothes, big lips. Doesn't mean all women are like that, but it's what is associated with us.

I know it’s just representation. I was just stating what annoyed me a bit. I still like what we got but I think that the hair still should be at least knee length for those of us who stim by brushing doll hair and styling it. I mean I can’t be the only autistic that enjoys the sensation of long soft hair.

 

[vergil96]

I have no opinion, I don't like toys, I'm a 30 years old (junior?) professor... I played with Barbies when I was small. They make all kinds Barbies, Barbie on the beach, Barbie doctor, Barbie going to the disco, they finally made an autistic Barbie. I'm glad that the producers are attempting to normalise the more obvious features of autism and aren't stepping away from the more "difficult" aspects of autism such as being nonspeaking or visible features such as hand flapping. A lot of autism advocates try to cut themselves off from those and be "cool".

 

[JayLapointe]

This could be for real, and I sincerely hope it is, but my cynic alarm is going off, and it looks a lot to me like Pandering for Profit. Adjustable arms and wrists for hand flapping? I'm willing to bet the hands are moveable, but are too stiff to actually flap. Eyes painted to look averted? Turn the head a bit.

My cynic alarm is also going off as I also feel it is pandering for profit. But I do not have children and I'm not the target market for it. If it isn't a joke I guess at the very least it brings more exposure for neurodivergence which isn't a bad thing.

 

[Judge]

My cynic alarm is also going off as I also feel it is pandering for profit.

That's well-placed cynicism IMO.

Having been a personal investor for nearly ten years, I am well aware of this midcap corporation as a well-known toy manufacturer. It has never been a blue-chip stock enjoying hefty dividends with consistent, predictable returns based on inelastic demand.

At the boardroom level they must perpetually come up with ideas that may span the scope of hare-brained ideas to economic genius. They have succeeded enough times to be a force in the market, with a number of toy products being their "flagship" achievement. Particularly their "Barbie Doll" line. But they know that they must ever continue to expand on such success.

And in the process not only create a product line conducive to happy children and parents, but also to promote effective public relations. Strategies not to be confused with altruism or a genuine wish to aid the disabled. Where all roads of goodwill lead to only one thing- shareholder's equity and the healthy bottom line it can bolster on a balance sheet.

While they maintain a strong market and product presence, as a "midcap" they are constantly at odds with market volatility and growth potential. Where inventive minds are expected to routinely "pull a rabbit out of their hat". And when it fails, there's always hell to pay.

Usually impacting their employees most of all. "Cute and kind" may be exuded in connection with their toy products and public relations-crafted image, but when they fail both their shareholders and management can become quite mercenary towards their own employees while shareholders are equally mercenary towards the corporation itself, taking their equity elsewhere.

"It's not personal, it's strictly business" - Michael Corleone, "The Godfather"

Mattel Inc (MAT) Stock Price & News - Google Finance

 

[JayLapointe]

That's well-placed cynicism IMO.

Having been a personal investor for nearly ten years, I am well aware of this midcap corporation as a well-known toy manufacturer. It has never been a blue-chip stock enjoying hefty dividends with consistent, predictable returns based on inelastic demand.

Mattel Inc (MAT) Stock Price & News - Google Finance

I do not like the look of their stock price chart.

 

[Judge]

I do not like the look of their stock price chart. View attachment 148436

Exactly. Consider how long they have been in business, yet how low their price remains. Then just look at the volatility over so many years. A company that has shareholders who can and do abandon them in a heartbeat. Inevitably taking it out on their best asset- their own employees.

They aren't interested in autistic customers other than the cash they have to purchase their products. For them we're just another "rabbit" to pull out of their hat to keep shareholders from bolting. This is all just a matter of aggressive marketing. Which can sink or swim.

Pity they can't jump on the "AI bandwagon" to snatch up all that equity on the part of investors that are making a handful of tech stocks "silly rich". But high technology seems beyond their reach and more so that they want to keep it that way.