This week toy maker Mattel has introduced the world to “Autistic Barbie”.  The latest in a line of the classic doll’s attempts to aim for more inclusion and representation which have already produced Barbie with Type 1 diabetes and Barbie with Down syndrome.

According to the link above going to the Fox News story about it, Autistic Barbie “includes articulated elbows and wrists to allow for movements such as hand flapping and other gestures used for sensory regulation or expression.”  Barbie’s eyes are “positioned with a slightly averted gaze, reflecting how some people on the autism spectrum may avoid eye contact.”  Autistic Barbie includes a fidget spinner (that really spins), noise cancelling headphones, and a pink tablet displaying symbol-based apps to help with communication.

Okay, I have no problem with Barbie depicting autism.  It’s a condition that millions of people, including not a few children, have to live with. ...