Mattel worked with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to create its doll with Down syndrome, having medical experts weigh in on everything from the doll's face to the accessories. This doll has been sculpted with a shorter frame, a longer torso, a rounder face shape, a flat nasal bridge, and almond-shaped eyes to better represent characteristics of those with Down syndrome. Additionally, the doll's palms include a single line, a trait often associated with Down syndrome, per the press release. The doll is also wearing orthotics, a mobility tool that some children with Down syndrome children use to support their feet and ankles. "NDSS provided a box of orthotics to serve as real-life inspiration," the press release said. Released as part of this year’s global Barbie Fashionistas lineup to allow even more children to find a Barbie doll that represents them Doll play outside of a child’s own lived experience can teach understanding and build a greater sense of empathy, leading to a more accepting world. We are proud to introduce a Barbie doll with Down syndrome to better reflect the world around us and further our commitment to celebrating inclusion through play.” Fans are already responding to the news with joy, celebrating Barbie's latest inclusive addition. "I am crying right now, I never imagined they'd make a doll with leg braces, just like me! I had a cousin with Down Syndrome she passed away years ago but she would have loved this!" one user wrote.

Mattel recently has embraced a more inclusive approach to its 64-year-old iconic Barbie brand. But the company has long faced criticism for giving girls a role model of a female body type with unrealistic proportions. The new doll is part of Mattel Barbie Fashionistas line, which aims to offer kids more diverse representations of beauty and fight the stigma around physical disabilities.

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Its palms include a single line, a characteristic often associated with those with Down syndrome, according to Mattel.

Barbie® Introduces Its First Doll with Down Syndrome, Further Increasing Representation in the Toy Aisle Children's toys just got more inclusive, as Mattel announced the launch of its first-ever Barbie doll with Down syndrome. This step toward inclusivity is long overdue given that the first Barbie was launched in 1959 and about 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome in the US each year, per the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. But it's nice to see the toy aisles finally getting more diverse. This doll is a part of Barbie's Fashionista line of over 175 dolls with different body types, skin tones, varying abilities, eye colors, hair textures, and more. Previous Barbie Fashionistas have included a doll with a prosthetic leg, one with hearing aids, another that comes with a wheelchair and a doll with the skin condition vitiligo, which causes patches of skin to lose their pigment. You can also share any questions you have about Barbie. Until then, stay with us here at Spiel Times for more content.Barbie is the most inclusive doll line on the market – with over 175 looks offering a variety of eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities and fashions to tell more stories. Barbie has introduced dolls with vitiligo, dolls that use a wheelchair or a prosthetic limb, a doll with hearing aids and a doll without hair. This year, Barbie is continuing to represent global belonging and inclusivity with the full 2023 Fashionistas lineup , which also includes new dolls in a variety of body types including a new Fashionista doll wearing braces and a Ken Fashionista doll with a prosthetic leg.