💨 Abstract

The author shares their emotional response to Mattel's release of an autistic Barbie, feeling both relief and grief. Growing up, they never saw themselves represented in toys or popular culture, feeling "strange" and out of place. Dolls like Barbie required social interactions they struggled with, leading to masking and exhaustion. The author found solace in toys like Matchbox cars and computers, which followed logical rules.

Courtesy: Lisa Ventura