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...

Five-year-old Mikko’s eyes lit up with glee when she noticed something familiar about her Barbie: The doll held a fidget spinner and wore oversize headphones, just like hers.

Toymakers have now sought to make autism visible with Barbie’s new body, which includes eyes that gaze slightly off-centre, intending to represent an autistic reluctance to make eye contact.