Birmingham Mum Praises New Autistic Barbie for Thoughtful Design and Raising Awareness
Emma highlights how the new Barbie’s design reflects real experiences and helps all children understand neurodiversity.
A Birmingham mother of three autistic children has welcomed the release of Mattel’s new autistic Barbie, praising its careful design and potential to foster greater understanding among children.
Emma, whose children are non-verbal and have specific sensory needs, highlighted the doll’s attention to detail. “Not only does she have ear defenders on, a fidget spinner, and a communication device, they’ve even made her clothes loosely fitted for children who don’t like their clothes rubbing against their skin,” she said. “I think it’s done really, really well and very thoughtful.”
The doll’s fully bendable wrists and arms allow it to mimic stimming behaviors — repetitive movements often used by autistic people to self-regulate. Emma called this feature “brilliant” and “a fantastic idea.”
Beyond its importance for autistic children, Emma believes the doll will spark curiosity among all children. “It will get children asking questions like why has she got headphones on,” she said. “Then you can explain about their ear defenders and sound sensory and all things like that. It’s just such a good idea.”
Emma hopes the doll will not only offer representation but also promote empathy and understanding in schools and communities.