The Barbie doll features aspects meant to represent traits of some individuals with autism, according to Mattel. This includes an eye gaze shifted slightly to the side to avoid eye contact; elbow and wrist articulation for stimming, hand flapping and other hand gestures for expressing excitement or processing sensory information.

The new doll carries a pink fidget spinner that actually spins, wears pink noise-cancelling headphones to reduce sensory overload and holds a pink tablet that represents her augmentative and alternative communication,

The doll features a gaze that is shifted slightly to the side, to “[reflect] how some members of the autistic community may avoid direct eye contact.”

A new Barbie doll is making headlines for inclusiveness, and two women from the Tampa Bay area are helping lead the conversation.

Mattel has launched its first autistic Barbie doll as part of its Fashionistas line, designed with input from the autistic community.