For families of people with disabilities, one big concern is that they will go missing, which can be a parent's worst nightmare. Finding them can sometimes be incredibly difficult, but that's where one program comes in.

Introducing "Project Lifesaver."

Ryan Roberts, 15, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 and is non-verbal.

“He is known now as more on the severe side of autism. So eloping behaviors," said his mom, Jackie Roberts. "A lot of things come into the mix.”

The Roberts family needs to be prepared to face challenging and potentially dangerous activities.

“It takes one time for him to get out," Jackie Roberts said. "We live on a busy road. There is a stream that's right behind our house. One time.”

It’s a fear that for sometime, especially when Ryan Roberts was younger, crippled the family.

“It’s a life-changing diagnosis. We went through a lot of grieving,” Jackie Roberts said.

Eight years ago, an actual lifesaver came along.

“They’re radio frequency transmitters that individuals wear on their wrist or ankle,” Jackie Roberts explained.

It came from Project Lifesaver. Deputy Jason Lang oversees Saratoga County’s program.

“If an individual was to go missing, we could use that signal to locate them with a receiver the sheriff’s office carries,” Lang said.

It reduces the time it typically takes to find a person by 95%.

“I wanted to help the more vulnerable individuals in the county, and it thought this would be a great opportunity and have potential to grow,” Lang said.

It’s done just that.

While Ryan Roberts was the first, there are now more than 175 other county residents living with autism, Alzheimer's disease and other conditions impacting their cognitive ability wearing the free bracelet.

“It’s definitely enjoyable being able to make these connections with the family," Lang said. "One of the best parts of my job.”

It’s the largest Project Lifesaver program in the state with the third-highest participation rate in the country.

“My job as his mom is to teach Ryan about the world, but teach the world about Ryan,” Jackie Roberts said.

Project Lifesaver has allowed the Roberts family to do that, as she and her family can explore their community and beyond with less worry.

“It has bridged that communication, has opened up that communication, for a lot of people who don’t know autism to understand it,” Jackie Roberts said.