SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A new television campaign by the University of California, Davis' Mind Institute puts children with autism front and center, showing people what life with autism is like.

It's unusual to see children with autism in TV commercials. Ordinarily, actors would be used. But the Mind Institute felt it was important to show what it's like to interact with children with autism.

"We wanted to make sure that these scenarios were authentic and ones that we hoped would provide a window to the public into the lives of these children with autism and their families," said Mind Institute spokesman Kevin Duggan.

Some autistic children can be easily distracted and over stimulated by sights and sounds that, to most people, seem like background noise.

In a way, the crew's struggle to communicate with the young stars in the making of the television ad shows that, although the children have trouble communicating, they still deserve compassion, attention and love.

Two scenes from the ads feature role reversals in the home, with little sisters acting as big sisters, as they take care of their older siblings who are struggling with autism.

Scientists believe the more people listen to autistic children, the more scientists can learn and help the children grow.

With 3,000 new cases of autism diagnosed last year alone, parents of autistic children who are in the ads hope that sharing glimpses of their lives will help more people understand their situation.

"The spots make you think, even if just for a minute. And sometimes, that's all it takes," said Martin Tucker, parent of an autistic child.

To learn more about autism and other neuro-developmental disorders, click here.