Local family starts exercise program for kids with Autism [Video]

(PUEBLO, Colo.) — One Southern Colorado family is making a difference. They started the local nonprofit organization “Autism Mana,” to help kids with autism exercise and find a sense of community.

April is Autism Awareness Month, and the Blunt family began their nonprofit Autism Mana when they noticed a lack of resources for kids with Autism.

Eleven-year-old Makai is nonverbal with autism, in Hawaiian his name means “ocean.”

“We continue to advocate for him, and kids like him. We ended up realizing that there were no activities for autistic and special needs children in southern Colorado,” said Kevin Blunt, founder of Autism Mana and Makai’s father.

The Blunt family is originally from Hawaii but grew frustrated with a lack of resources for their son. The family of five decided to move to Colorado Springs in 2020 hoping for more—and noticed the closest recourses were in Denver.

“I participated in a …