Airport Creates Program for Families with Autistic Children

We all know Delta is pretty nice, and I am a huge fan! And now they just released this article on December 4th. How can I not love them even more now! Thank you Delta Airlines for helping families affected with Autism! Way to go! Hopefully all airports across the country take the time and do this! 

"Delta, MSP Airport create program for families with autistic children

December 4, 2012

Delta and the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport have partnered to design a program for traveling families who have children with autism to help cope with the stresses of flying.

"Navigating Autism with MSP" allows autistic children and their families to participate in a dress rehearsal at the airport to help prepare for the actual flight, and Saturday marked the inaugural session for MSP and marked the first time that Delta had participated as the host airline at any of its airports.

Children practiced entering the airport, were issued boarding passes, went through the security procedures, worked their way to an assigned gate and boarded a Delta aircraft. A Delta Red Coat made customary announcements to replicate an actual flight and were onboard to answer questions during the trial-run. The tour ended at the children’s play area where the kids were able to play and become more comfortable with the airport. The families were then free to explore MSP by having a bite to eat and check out the various shops.

"We are fortunate to be a part of a program like this here at MSP so we can help our customers navigate travel and in this case, we also benefit by learning more about how we can play an integral role," said Bill Lentsch, s.v.p.—Minnesota Operations. "Anytime we can help to make an experience for a traveler a positive one is a win-win for all of us."

Autistic children can struggle with the sights, sounds and processes surrounding air travel, and families are often unsure of how their child will respond. This program will help ease the children into flying and help reassure parents.

Additional tips for traveling and photos of the airport and aircraft were shared in advance to assist the families navigating the travel experience. The Metropolitan Airports Commission, the Autism Society of Minnesota and Fraser, an organization providing childhood services in Minneapolis/St. Paul, coordinated the registration and will continue to hold the program throughout the year at MSP."