LAX-DTW last Thursday, seated in 17D. Child (6 or 7 years old) in 15A is standing on his seat early in the flight, pointing and laughing very loudly at the older couple seated behind him. I am thinking the boy is probably seated next to his parents, and is laughing at his grandparents seated directly behind? Maybe?

After about 20 minutes of this, FA comes on to the PA and asks "Is there a child psychologist on board". No kidding. Turns out this youngster, 6 years old, is unaccompanied minor, and is a special needs child with autism. Flight attendant stated they weren't told of the child's special needs.

A woman answered the request of the FA, stating that she was a longtime elementary school principal, and has experience with special needs children as well. She was a saint, and by the end of the flight, the boy was curled up in her lap as she read him some books.

Questions: What is the minimum age for unaccompanied minor? Does Delta have policy regarding special needs children flying unaccompanied?