Parent Blog
The autistic Barbie
Barbie #245 came with a fidget, an AAC tablet, and headphones. Annabel picked up the box, saw the accessories, and asked if she was autistic like her.
About the author
Esther
Founder & Editor
Nearly 20 years in corporate change management taught me how to take complex problems and make them manageable. Then my daughter’s autism diagnosis gave me a complex problem no corporate framework could touch. I went down research rabbit holes out of necessity, learned to navigate the SEND system through trial and a lot of error, and started writing it all down because other parents needed it too. Neuroequipped was born out of wanting to help others.
Barbie #245 appeared in my Amazon recommendations just in time for my daughter's birthday so we decided to add the autistic barbie to her birthday gift. She comes with a fidget spinner, an AAC tablet, and over-ear headphones — accessories designed for and associated with autism. I bought it half wondering if there was anything offensive about it I wasn't seeing, but overall if toy companies are going to try, I can get behind the spirit of that.
My daughter loved it. She understood the accessories straight away and said it was the best barbie ever because she/it (I never know with toys) was just like her and she could look after her.
So well done Mattel for giving it a go, and I'm not here to knock anything about it. I believe they did their best to make the barbie neutral in terms of race, to resonate with as many children as possible. Representation matters and it's nice that she can add this one to her collection.
I have enjoyed all the jokes on the internet about SEN mum barbie looking knackered and holding a bottle of gin… if that ever gets made I'm buying!!
The doll is linked in the resources section if you want to find it.