Autism advocacy groups are reacting after Mattel announced a new Barbie doll, the first with autism, on Sunday.

Barbie has taken a meaningful step in representation with the release of the Barbie Fashionistas Doll #245 in Purple Striped Dress, Autistic Barbie, now in stock at Target.

NEW YORK -- Mattel Inc. is introducing an autistic Barbie on Monday as the newest member of its line intended to celebrate diversity, joining a collection that already includes Barbies with Down syndrome, a blind Barbie, a Barbie and a Ken with vitiligo, and other models the toymaker added to make its fashion dolls more inclusive.

Mattel introduces, 67 years after the original article, Autistic Barbie. “The autistic Barbie doll features elbow and wrist articulation, enabling stimming, hand flapping, and other hand gestures that some members of the autistic community use to process sensory information or express excitement,

It’s incredibly rewarding providing a space where families can celebrate the holidays feeling understood, supported,

Centria Autism, a national provider of therapeutic services for children with autism and their families, continues to make strides in developing aspiring clinicians and closing the gap of BCBAs.