ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Mattel Inc. has always been a strong supporter of the cause of recognizing differences, and now it has implanted an “autistic Barbie”to its already diverse range of dolls.
The company, which produces toys for the whole world, had already introduced versions like the blind Barbie, the one with Down syndrome, and many others to be part of their collection, among which were the more diverse ones.
As stated in Mattel’s press release, the reason behind the last doll in the collection was to make a Barbie that somehow mirrors the different ways people with autism experience and perceive their surroundings.
The entertainment company for kids said that the doll with autism was created in collaboration with Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a non-profit organization that fights for the rights of and better portrayal in media of people with autism; thus, the company was able to develop a doll that would truly reflect the world.
When it comes to autism, the problem is that it does not manifest in a single, clearly-delineated manner, and different people with autism have different behaviors; hence, it was a challenge for Mattel to come up with a doll that has features of every autistic person.
Noor Pervez, the community engagement manager of Autistic Self Advocacy Network, claimed that their collaboration with the toy company lasted 18 months, and they constantly depicted the various forms of autism.
The new Barbie doll has a slight cross-eyed feature to show that some autistic individuals don’t like to look others straight in the eye. It also comes with a fidget spinner and is dressed in oversized pink headphones.
According to Jamie Cygielman, the head of dolls at Mattel worldwide, the company is very pleased with the new doll coming into the collection, and he remarked, “We have been constantly working to represent the world as children see it and to keep their imagination open.”
