Joseph Edgecomb / The Collegian

Bren Howard, 3, was one of many children who participated in Wednesday’s Central California Autism Center’s (CCAC) field day on campus as part of Autism Awareness Month. The event, which took place in front of the Kremen Education Building from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., included food, a bounce house and face painting for the kids.

Bren’s mother, Jodie Howard, said that the biggest obstacle she has faced with her son is communication.

“He knows what he wants; he just doesn’t know how to say it,” she said. Bren is considered inaudible, but he and his family have learned sign language to overcome the barrier. Howard said that the CCAC has offered a lot to her son. “They teach him things that typically come naturally, such as the alphabet.”

The Autism Center, which opened in November 2007, works individually with children 18 months to 6 years old who have autism or a related disability. Treatment includes ongoing assessment, individualized curriculum and parent training.