Mattel unveil new Barbie with Down syndrome as Aussie advocates welcome the move

Parents and advocates have welcomed global toymaker Mattel’s launch of a Barbie with Down syndrome after the toy giant previously came under fire.

THE launch of the first Barbie with Down syndrome has been welcomed by Australian advocates as a “huge step forward” for children to see themselves represented in the popular doll.

US toy manufacturer Mattel unveiled Barbie with Down syndrome as part of the brand’s Fashionistas line, which offers more than 175 inclusive looks featuring different skin tones, eye colours, body types, and disabilities.

Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome, which changes how their body and brain develop.

It has been among the most-requested dolls from Barbie and it took toy developers over a year from to turn the idea into reality.

Barbie with Down syndrome is part of the brand’s Fashionistas line, which offers more than 175 inclusive looks. Picture: Supplied.

Down Syndrome Australia chief executive officer Darryl Steff said the toy giant‘s latest addition to their Barbie collection was an “important” step for children to see themselves in the popular figure.

“We welcome the release of a Barbie doll with Down syndrome as it goes towards better representation of the diverse society in which we live. It is important for children, and their parents to see diversity in the toys they play with,” Mr Steff said.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the impact this can have on people’s acceptance of diversity in the community, and inclusion and recognition of people with Down syndrome as contributing members of society.”

The doll wears a patterned dress with symbols associated with the condition. Picture: Supplied

Mattel bosses said they worked closely with US-based National Down syndrome Society (NDSS) – a leading human rights organisation for people with Down syndrome — to ensure the doll accurately represented a woman with the condition.

“Barbie plays an important role in a child’s early experiences, and we are dedicated to doing our part to counter social stigma through play,” executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls at Mattel, Lisa McKnight, said.

“Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves.”

The new doll has a face and body sculpt aimed at being “more illustrative of women with Down syndrome”, including a shorter frame and a longer torso.

She wears a patterned dress which includes butterflies along with yellow and blue colours — the symbols associated with Down syndrome awareness — and the face sculpt has a rounder shape, smaller ears, almond shaped eyes and a flat nasal bridge.

Mattel, the makers of Barbie, introduced its first-ever doll with scoliosis in February. Picture: Supplied

The US toy giant had faced previous criticism that the traditional Barbie did not represent real women.

However, in recent years it has created dolls with a hearing aid, a prosthetic limb and a wheelchair.

In February, Mattel introduced its first-ever doll with scoliosis named Chelsea — who is Barbie’s little sister — and comes with a removable back brace for her visibly curved spine, one of the primary symptoms of scoliosis.

Other symptoms of scoliosis – characterised by abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine – include one shoulder being higher than the other, one shoulder or hip being more prominent than the other, a prominent rib cage and/or different leg lengths.