Making a Paper Doll

I’m Carrie Schneider (she/her), an autistic/ADHD artist and author/illustrator in California. I have always loved paper dolls, and now my daughter does, too! For her and her peers — (and for me, too, of course!) — I’ve created Avery, a paper doll & art activity that’s an open opportunity for both creativity and identity affirmation:

I’ve made a video about how you can make a paper doll, too! Click here to watch:

Avery is a doll that is neurodivergent like me, and may be any gender. And just as I’ve always loved to truly dwell in imagination and let my imaginary realms and selves be juxtaposed on my day-to-day life, so Avery can be all things magical and be their true self at the same time.

I created Avery using Procreate on my iPad, then printed, colored, cut, and assembled the doll:

My daughter and her friends loved it, too!

I wanted to share my digital process since it was fun for me and fun for the kids I shared Avery with. My 7-year-old daughter has actually been inspired to make her own on the iPad, so maybe someone else will be, too! I’d love to see it, if you do!

Perhaps one day I’ll make a whole book of dolls to publish, but for now, I’d just love to share Avery with the world: 

With interchangeable coloring-page outfits and magical selves, Avery holds the spark of many colors and stories. At the same time, Avery also encourages the appreciation of diverse identities. They have no imposed gender, and while Avery’s neurotype isn’t specific either, they illustrate some common ways autistic people hold our bodies, protect our senses, and see ourselves.

When I was a child, I lived in my imagination both for joyful and self-protective reasons. I also longed to feel seen and validated in the ways I differed from those around me due to my neurodivergence. Avery can do all of this: wear their heart on their sleeve by truly being their magical daydreams, and also confidently exemplify neurodivergent ways of being. 

I hope that you will all enjoy the Avery doll as much as I have enjoyed creating it!

Carrie Schneider

Twitter/Instagram: @cs_auth_illus

Carrie Schneider (she/her) is an autistic/ADHD artist and author/illustrator with a background in academia. She loves making stories and illustrations that affirm diverse identities and encourage imagination. She also loves spending time immersed in nature, art, and literature with her husband, two children, and rescue dog at home in California.