An Autistic Barbie

[Aeson]

I thought I would share this in case someone was interested. Representation is important. It makes folks feel included.

 

[Kaodi]

When I first heard about this it sounded weird to me. It still kinda does. But it makes more sense I think when you stop thinking about Barbie dolls as just dolls and instead as storylines. Autistic Barbie is autistic in the same way that Ken is Barbie's boyfriend and not her brother. There is nothing inherent to the doll about that distinction, but it is true anyway.

 

[Umbran]

There is nothing inherent to the doll about that distinction, but it is true anyway.

Well, they didn't take a standard Barbie, and just slap the word "autistic" on the box. There are some design bits on this Barbie that are to support the distinction.

She is holding a fidget spinner, for one (admittedly small) thing.
For another, she has articulated wrists and elbows, that other Barbies don't have, to enable stimming motions during play.

 

[trappedslider]

Well, they didn't take a standard Barbie, and just slap the word "autistic" on the box. There are some design bits on this Barbie that are to support the distinction.

She is holding a fidget spinner, for one (admittedly small) thing.
For another, she has articulated wrists and elbows, that other Barbies don't have, to enable stimming motions during play.

It goes even into how they did her eyes compared to a normal barbie

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Ken is Barbie's boyfriend and not her brother.

GASP He's not her brother? Then why do they live in the same house? My childhood now needs total reexamination.

 

[trappedslider]

GASP He's not her brother? Then why do they live in the same house? My childhood now needs total reexamination.

if Barbie is so popular why do you have to buy her friends?

 

[Tonguez]

thats genuinely nice

 

[Aeson]

if Barbie is so popular why do you have to buy her friends?

that means nothing to me.

 

[Zardnaar]

if Barbie is so popular why do you have to buy her friends?

Murica. Friendship isnt magic its $$$$$.