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."

Thought of the Day

“We are not our history.” is a great saying...

However, if we keep with the same patterns and choose the same paths then we will repeat history...

I think about our kiddos, as when will people get that autism is an epidemic and stop doing what we are doing. We are repeating history, every year the number rises! Why is it that from my High School friends, double digits, at least the ones I know about have children on the spectrum and growing up I didn't know any?

1 out of 20 households are affected in some way either child, grandchild, niece or nephew. Sure we are over diagnosing!! Then where is the older generation of children?!

Not many things frustrate me, but it does frustrate me when those who aren't affected turn their nose up or turn their heads like it does not exist. With 1 out of 88 children it will eventually be in their families!!

Jaxson was born a healthy 11lb 1oz boy measuring 24-1/2 inches long, spoke his first words at 9 months and was developing perfectly. We got vaccines at 15 months and our whole world turned black with his negative reactions instantly! If you know me than you know I am not against vaccines I am just against so many at once!

It breaks my heart to continue to read our stories and they all sound the same (there are thousands of us) and yet mainstream continues to ignore it. I feel no one should have a right to comment unless they have had their child taken from them in this way. Because that is what it felt like. Until you live one day in someone else's shoes, than you don't know.. For those who just don't get it, all I ask is for you to be open minded. I don't judge you for your choices, don't judge me for my feelings.. Hmmm I kind of remember tobacco companies telling the public that smoking didn't cause cancer and then later that 2nd hand smoke didn’t either (even when they absolutely knew it did!) hmmm...how did that turn out for our population?? Just saying.

Getting to Know Me!

So I was reading an article that said Facebook friends don't share things that most friends might know about you.

So....here is my list: 

25 things you might not know about me



25. I still go to the same dry cleaners since middle school (20 min drive now from my house)


24. I am a beach girl, not a city girl (give me a pair of flip flops over my 4 inch heels any day!) 


23. I love country music (yes I said it!) 


22. Hate the smell of lavender 


21. I don't drink coffee; I think it's gross 


20. I am painfully shy 
(Not with people I may never see again just those I know I will)


19. I didn't really talk till age 5, as I cried a lot and was super afraid of everything


18. I got straight A's for most of my life in school (found school painfully boring).


17. I never get jokes and just laugh anyways


16. People underestimate me and mistake my kindness for weakness


15. I have mild dyslexia, which also affects my ability to recall words, and often I change the word in mid sentence, as I can’t remember how to pronounce it


14. I was raised by my Gramma and don't talk to any of my family after she passed 


13. I am a hopeless romantic


12. I collect coins and stamps


11. I hated history as a kid and now I find it fascinating 


10. I hate cooking but love eating 


9. Love wine but never drink at home or around Jax


8. I don't care about things I used to (purses, shoes, clothes, houses, cars) after autism happened however, I don’t judge my friends that still do


7. I love clearance 


6. I am a loner for the most part (always have been) and love eating, shopping and going to movies alone


5. I have a small circle of friends


4. I get every saying wrong but have learned to laugh at myself


3. My son is my world (you probably knew that)


2. I can't sing to save my life but have sooo much fun trying


1. I don't eat seafood (not for 25 plus years and many find that odd). 

So that pretty much sums me up.... I am just a simple gal... Nothing too exciting... Xoxo

Now lets hear some things about you! Comment below! Don't be shy :)

Traveling During the Holidays: Keep this on hand!

We at Autism Hope Alliance, Love this from Delta Airlines!! Especially since we have heard recent stories of children with autism being kicked off a plane!! Love the first paragraph!! Way to go Delta!! Makes me feel better about flying on their airline!!

Autism Hope Alliance is now on Facebook!

Hi Everyone! Please help us spread the word about our Fan Page for Autism Hope Alliance! We would like you all to "like" it!

I am going to start putting all of our links to new research, projects, and any other info for the autism community on this page!

We hope it will become a great resource for families in the autism community.

xoxo-

Kristin

P.S - "Progress for one child, provides Hope for all"

BIG NEWS!

So I have some big news I wanted to share with everyone. I am no longer with Enzymedica as their Director of Autism Education. They no longer have an autism division as ALL of their AUTISM efforts will be shifted to supporting the Autism Hope Alliance. Tom Bohager, Founder of Enzymedica is very passionate about helping our kiddos and founded the Autism Hope Alliance (first non profit for autism in the health food industry). I have recently been appointed as Chairman and will continue to help this community in a bigger way now. Our focus is to help Generation Rescue, TACA, A Place of Grace, the Autism Treatment Center of America along with plans to help some of the smaller non-profits. It has been an absolute joy working with Enzymedica and I will always consider them family. We have BIG dreams ahead for 2013 and I am up for the challenge. Wish me luck!! Hope Jax one day understands that I work so hard for him and other kiddos like him because he inspires me everyday!