Hill says Mikko, who is nonverbal, also uses an AAC device, which helps people who have speech or language problems to communicate. “Autism is such an invisible disability at times, and to see that it’s being represented through Barbie – everybody knows who Barbie is – it felt really good,

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 ROW has blown up over the launch of the first autistic Barbie — complete with noise-cancelling headphones and fidget spinner. The £13.99 doll, designed by people with autism, is part of an