The doll, introduced Monday by Mattel<\/a>, is the first Barbie created to represent autism. It includes accessories and design details meant to reflect how some people with autism communicate, manage sensory overload and navigate the world.<\/p>\n Five-year-old Mikko noticed right away that her new Barbie looked a lot like her. The doll wears oversized, noise-canceling headphones and carries a fidget spinner, tools Mikko also uses.<\/p>\n \u201cAutism is such an invisible disability at times, and to see that it\u2019s being represented through Barbie \u2014 everybody knows who Barbie is \u2014 it felt really good,\u201d Mikko\u2019s mother, Precious Hill, who lives in Las Vegas, told CNN<\/em>.<\/p>\n Mikko is nonverbal and uses an augmentative and alternative communication device, often called an AAC device, to communicate. The doll includes a pink tablet meant to represent that tool.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s really important to me that Mikko walks through life having representation. It really matters to me that she\u2019s not alone,” Hill said.<\/p>\n The new Barbie also has eyes that look slightly to the side, a detail meant to reflect how some people with autism avoid direct eye contact.<\/p>\n Her purple dress is loose and soft, recognizing that certain fabrics can be uncomfortable for people with sensory sensitivities.<\/p>\n Hill, who also has autism, told CNN<\/em> the doll made her feel seen as well. She has two older children, including a son with autism, who also reacted positively to the new Barbie.<\/p>\n Mattel worked with the nonprofit Autistic Self Advocacy Network<\/a> to help guide the doll\u2019s design. About 1 in 31 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism by age 8, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC) data.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is so important for young autistic people to see authentic, joyful representations of themselves, and that\u2019s exactly what this doll is,\u201d Colin Killick<\/a>, executive director of the network, told CNN.<\/em><\/p>\n The doll joins Mattel\u2019s Fashionistas line, which already included Barbies representing a wide range of body types, skin tones and health conditions such as blindness, Down syndrome and type 1 diabetes.<\/p>\n Autism affects how people communicate, interact and experience their surroundings. While it usually appears in early childhood and lasts a lifetime, early support can improve daily life.<\/p>\n Although autism is diagnosed more often in boys, experts say it is often missed in girls. Many women don\u2019t learn they have autism until adulthood, sometimes after their own children are diagnosed.<\/p>\n Hill said that was her experience. She learned she had autism at age 29, after her daughter\u2019s diagnosis.<\/p>\n Eileen Lamb<\/a>, a mother of three and senior director at the advocacy organization Autism Speaks, said autism looks different in everyone.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s possible to represent the entire spectrum in one doll. For instance, my son Charlie uses an AAC device also to communicate. He\u2019s fully nonverbal. So I love that the Barbie has an AAC device. But my other son, who\u2019s also on the spectrum, does not. So again, it\u2019s not possible to represent everyone, but it\u2019s a great step,\u201d Lamb said.<\/p>\n Experts say toys play an important role in how children understand themselves and others.<\/p>\n “Toys matter. Representation matters, and it\u2019s really good for children to see themselves in a toy,\u201d Lamb said. \u201cIt sends a message that being different is nothing to be ashamed of.”<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n Mattel has more on the new Barbie with autism<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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