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Self-Identification Program Offered To Help Families With Autism At LAX

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A self-identification program was offered at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Wednesday to help families with autism.

The program was created to help defuse potential behavioral incidents between travelers, police, airline and airport personnel before they become problems.

Around 10 a.m., Transportation Security Administration (TSA),  Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) personnel, airport tenants and participating airlines held a press conference to announce the addition of the program within the airport.

"Stickers identify the person with autism," said Lawrence Rolon, LAWA's coordinator for disability services."Airport employees have received training on how to recognize the stickers and their meaning."

"If a behavioral incident occurs, the responding personnel will immediately recognize the behavior is likely a result of autism," Rolon added.

Participation in the self-identification program is on a voluntary basis for families.

Two stickers will be made available per child -- to be worn on the front and back of their clothing -- at the ticketing counter of participating airlines, authorities said.

The program will work with participating families to identify quieter areas and less busy parts of the terminals to make flight experiences less stressful.

"Families with autism are encouraged to provide input to help alleviate their concerns about flying and their previous experiences," explained Rolon.

According to airport officials, LAWA's Office of Disabilities, families with autistic children and the non-profit organization LeRoy Haynes Center partnered to create this program.

So far, participating airlines include American, United, Copa, Air New Zealand, Southwest and Virgin America.

Additional airlines will be added to LAWA's Americans with Disabilities Act website as they join the program.

The LA/Ontario International Airport is expected to adopt the program on April 20.

LAWA hopes to expand the program nationwide.

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