From her 1959 debut as a blonde, blue-eyed icon, Barbie has evolved to reflect a commitment to equal representation with the launch of Mattel’s first-ever autistic Barbie. Developed over 18 months, the doll's unique features aim to empower girls and boys globally. This milestone signifies significant progress since Mattel introduced its first Barbie dolls with disabilities in 2019. This Barbie wears a purple-striped A-line dress designed to minimise fabric-to-skin contact, as some autistic children may be sensitive to the feel of fabric seams. The organisation previously collaborated with Sesame Street in 2015 to create “Julia,” an autistic character, though that partnership later ended amid concerns that the character was being used to promote harmful narratives.

Source: Bangkok Post January 13, 2026 19:05 UTC