Is Barbie Normalizing Autism? + COVID Shot Injuries in New Zealand + Educator Sees Rise in Autism

Mattel, a major toy distributor, recently announced the release of a Barbie with autism. Features of the doll include noise-cancelling headphones, sensory-friendly clothing and a tablet for communication. A number of people have raised an important question, worth discussing, about this new product: Is this just another way of normalizing the condition without acknowledging the difficulties that come with it or looking for ways to treat it? Christina Parks, Ph.D. joins CHD.TV to share her thoughts.
“What they did was barbaric,” Polly Tommey rightly states, referring to the atrocities that happened during COVID. To simply brush it aside, move on, forget all that took place would be a disservice to all those who were injured — mentally, emotionally, physically — during those years. That’s why the work of Gaylene Barnes and Lynda Wharton in New Zealand has been so significant. Not only have they been advocating for the silenced but have given them a voice as well, through public discourse and multimedia productions. Find out more about their efforts during today’s installment of “Good Morning CHD.”
Patty McCarty is a special education teacher who began her career in 1979. At that time, autism rates were much lower, and teachers rarely interacted with students on the spectrum. Patty has been told, many times, that the increase in numbers of children with this neurological condition is just her imagination — that it can all be boiled down to greater awareness and changes in diagnosis. But she knows that times have changed, not only concerning the amount of students but also in the way they are handled by the school system. Her perspective on this topic is indispensable, providing a unique viewpoint on the global epidemic, which is why she is appearing as our final guest of the program, today. Don’t miss it!

*The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests in this show are not necessarily the views of Children’s Health Defense.

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Autistic Barbie Spurs Debate Among Parents, Advocates

Barbie® Introduces the First Autistic Barbie Doll, Championing Representation for Children through Play

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VACCINE INJURY TEACHING ALLIANCE

Dr. Christina Parks on Instagram

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