Having worked with people with developmental disabilities for 25 years, and through my personal experiences with my daughter Sara, I've gotten to know a little about a lot of people with special needs.

The most valuable lesson I've learned is that what we have in common far outweighs our differences. Our need to be safe, valued, loved and connected is critical to all of us. Without these elements, our quality of life and our opportunities for growth are limited.

My experiences with Sara the past six years have led me to the following thought: Are there times Sara wishes she could do some of the things that I can do but she can't and possibly never will? Probably.

But more importantly, are there times I wish that I was more like Sara? Definitely. A young lady who happens to have Down syndrome, Sara has a joy for life. Her ability to connect to others despite verbal challenges, and her lack of "hang-ups" around showing affection, are just a few examples of how Sara has helped make our family better.

The Arc of Orange County promotes full participation in our community. We help people through advocacy, education and collaboration, as well as by providing support to individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, their families, and the community.

Autism Awareness Month, celebrated every April, helps raise awareness about autism. To this end, The Arc of Orange County asked several of our families to provide glimpses into their lives for today's paper.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships. It is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Autism-spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

Here are some signs to look for in the children in your life:

• Lack of or delay in spoken language;
• Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping, twirling objects);
• Little or no eye contact;
• Lack of interest in peer relationships;
• Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play;
• Persistent fixation on parts of objects.

There is no single treatment for all children with autism, but most individuals respond best to highly structured behavioral programs.

Some of the most common interventions are Applied Behavior Analysis, Floortime Therapy, Gluten and Casein Free Diet, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Sensory Integration Therapy, Relationship Development Intervention, Verbal Behavior Intervention, and the school-based TEAACH method.

Autism is treatable. Children do not "outgrow" autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes.