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Posted on 01/13/2026 3:29:10 PM PST by Morgana
Mattel's first-ever autistic Barbie is facing backlash from critics who claim the doll is offensive to people with neurodiversity and 'reinforces stereotypes'.
The American toymaker said that the doll, which features a fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones, and a shifted eye gaze, was designed 'with guidance from the community' in a bid to 'change the narrative on neurodivergence'.
The new doll, developed in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), aims to represent some of the ways autistic people may experience, process, and communicate about the world around them.
Along with a new face sculpt, its features include elbow and wrist articulation to enable stimming, hand flapping, and other hand gestures that some members of the autistic community may use to 'process sensory information or express excitement'.
Despite Mattel's efforts, onlookers have taken to social media to express their upset with the doll, claiming it pushes 'stereotypical traits' associated with autism.
One wrote: 'My niece has been diagnosed with autism. How thrilled she'll be when she finds out she's supposed to have "flappy hands".
A second said: 'Heard this on radio this morning along with two autistic teens. They were dumbfounded. Youngest annoyed that only stereotypical traits were used. My children have already had enough of being told they can't be ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) as they don't fit the general stereotype. This won't help.'
'Flappy hands? I'm sure autistic girls are going to be thrilled to know Barbie thinks this is who they all are,' said another.
A fourth wrote: 'Nothing like reinforcing stereotypes. I find this offensive as someone with many people on the autism spectrum in my family.'
Another added: 'A new Barbie doll that's described as autistic. In my view, I support genuine representation, but this misses the mark.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
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It was a stupid idea because companies
keep doing stupid things
Bud Light, Cracker Barrel, Faguar Jaguar
Too bad Mattel didn’t try this.
An Asperger’s Ken doll that creates multiple successful businesses, employs thousands of people, and sends rockets into space.
and is a lot dumber than Ilhan Omar
Yeah but you’re pretty much always damned if you do stupid stuff just to please the wokesters. They tried to cater to the whims of a small minority and look what happened - even the minority isn’t happy.
There you have it folks, dei for diverse brains.
was wondering what your thoughts were on this!
Trying to figure out why someone would want this kind of a product, even if they are themselves autistic. This makes no sense.
There’s no lazier article than saying something is attracting “backlash” and finding a couple of social media posts to support the headline.
Yeah makes no sense at ALL
I think some of them are stupid enough
to think controversy will boost sales
with free advertising
Jaguar may have made the
gayest commercial of all time
Completely destroying the brand name
When will a down syndrome doll come out? I find the whole concept to be absurd....How about a DEVO beautiful mutant doll? Have they done a transgender pre-op and post op yet?...gotta be inclusive...maybe a schizophrenic Barbie would reach out to more of the population.,...?
Every example of ‘diversity’ becomes its own subculture now.
This is all geared toward splintering and disunity.
how about a ‘fucilli’ barbie?
or a illegal immigrant ken and barbie set including real, life-like, rio-grande water feature?
I can’t wait for Teddy Ruxpin with Tourette’s.
🤣🤣
Kramerica Industries!
That’s not a bad idea!
My daughter has autism and she was just fine playing with regular Barbie dolls.
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