Walmart's Autism Advocate Doll

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ASPartOfMe
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04 Jan 2021, 4:49 am

Walmart sells “My Life As Autism Advocate Doll”

Quote:

Charlotte Olivas is a nine-year-old girl in Lansing who has autism. She said she can’t wait to play with the doll.

“I thought that those dolls were like really cool. I really like to have one of them,” Charlotte said.

Julia Olivas is Charlotte’s mom. She said this doll will teach both children and parents more about autism.

“I guess I didn’t even think about headphones to help with sensory and maybe that would’ve helped her for years,” Julia said.

While there’s been a lot of support, still not everyone likes the doll. Some are finding issues particularly with the autism awareness symbol that’s on some of the accessories.

In reviews of the doll, many people say the puzzle piece symbol doesn’t represent people with autism.

Cathy Blatnik is the president of the Mid-Michigan Autism Association. She said this is more than just a doll.

“I think a lot of people are just kind of you know, afraid sometimes to ask questions so it’s going to be starting the conversation I think,” Blatnik said.

At the moment, the doll is only available online for pre-order. They will start shipping out on January 12th.

I am not the target audience for this. That said while the doll is "autistic" I do not see the doll advocating.

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Blue_Star
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04 Jan 2021, 9:45 am

Direct link to bypass the new page (has video on it).
My Life As 18" Poseable Autism Advocate Doll

It's a knock-off American Girl doll with headphones.

ASPartOfMe
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06 Jan 2021, 6:28 am

Autistic Advocates Don't Love the Puzzle Pieces That Come With Walmart's New Autism Advocate Doll

Quote:

Members of the autistic advocate community, however, have called out Walmart’s decision to include puzzle piece imagery that many find harmful.

Named the “autism advocate doll,” Walmart’s doll comes with headphones, a fidget spinner, cellphone and puzzle piece bracelets. The doll’s T-shirt includes an acronym of autism, which reads, “Always unique, totally intelligent, sometimes mysterious.”

This doll in no way positively reflects the autistic community,” wrote one autistic reviewer. “The puzzle piece is a negative connotation. The acronym made with Autism is patronizing. The entire thing is just a ‘No’ from me. It should have never been created without consulting actually autistic people.”

The negative reviews assumed an autistic person was not involved in the doll’s creation. According to Walmart, however, autistic people were involved in the two-year process to bring the autism advocate doll to life.

In an email, a Walmart spokesperson told The Mighty the company consulted “with an autism therapist as well as multiple individuals within the autistic community to gain additional knowledge and insight to help the development of the doll.”

Despite the backlash Walmart is facing from some autistic advocates, the company said it created the autism advocate doll to expand its effort to make its toy aisles more inclusive.

Like with Sia I would love to hear from the “autistic” people who consulted with them, I am not obliged nor should I be expected to just take their word for it.

jimmy m
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06 Jan 2021, 10:28 am

I am not the target audience for this product. But I do not see autism in her eyes. She is not looking down or away, she is looking right at the person. She is not avoiding eye contact.

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CarlM
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07 Jan 2021, 11:29 pm

Whatever they did with her face, someone would have an issue with it :roll: . I don't think it will be successful, but the fact that they tried it is a good sign. It shows that they think there are enough parents, kids who want to positively identify with autism. The puzzle pieces are disappointing. I suppose they thought that combining the ND rainbow with it would make it OK.

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lostonearth35
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07 Jan 2021, 11:49 pm

If it wasn't for the puzzle piece accessories which I hate so much I would so add this doll to my collection. Maybe I will just throw them away and make my own with a ND rainbow symbol.

Jiheisho
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08 Jan 2021, 1:37 pm

Well, I guess this will be good for the Ken and Barbie dolls--they now have someone to bully.

Juliette
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08 Jan 2021, 2:00 pm

She needs a mini laptop and an EV! I loved dolls as a child ... my favourites were Giggles(open her arms outwards and she would giggle infectiously), and Thumbelina(wind her back and she would move gently). Always wanted a Barbie, but had to wait till I was 10 to receive Ballerina Barbie, by which time, I took it upon myself to “put all childish things away”. Books and gymnastics/swimming/cycling then replaced dolls. I wouldn’t have liked the puzzle accents at all! Would have binned those.

CollegeGirlAnon
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09 Jan 2021, 10:21 pm

I don't shop much at Walmart (even tho I work there) but I'll consider buying this...to support them trying.

Her face is fine IMO...if I am not looking at someone I look forward a lot of the time. I try not to look down too much bc it's not good for my neck and back...I'm 27 and I am starting to feel it (don't remind me it gets worse as you get older...I am in a lot of pain now already lol).

I like that they tried.

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CockneyRebel
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10 Jan 2021, 4:26 am

Right on! Another toy for me to add to my collection of toys. The puzzle pieces are a bit of a letdown, but at least Walmart is willing to try.

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LeahKerr
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12 Jan 2021, 8:29 am

Great doll

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12 Jan 2021, 9:05 am

Autism is the new Barbie.

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