The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says 1 out of 88 has some form of autism but independent studies indicate that the number is higher than and could be climbing even more. It's why some people believe that more education is needed, and a couple of women in The Woodlands are trying to do that.
In a lot of ways, Blake Jackson is a typical 11 year old. He plays the piano, and he loves playing with his toys.
"He does so many fantastic things. And then other days we're like oh boy, what's going on here?" his mother, Kym Jackson, said." Whatever he puts his mind to though, he is the best at it. I can say that much. And I'm very proud of him."
Blake is also autistic.
"I use the analogy like you have the book 'What to Expect When you're Expecting.' Well when your child has autism, you really don't know what to expect," Kym said.
Kym first noticed he wasn't hitting typical baby milestones. And at three, he was diagnosed. There were more questions than answers.
"We don't have a cause, so we don't have the cure," she said.
Kym says she wanted to change that. And so she started Unique Urban Rocks, making and selling jewelry from which portions of each sale go to one of two major austism research organizations.
"We wanted to bring awareness to autism, and through the jewelry line, in a very fun, easy, natural way we're able to get the word out," Kym said.
The latest studies contend that one out of 50 children born in the United States fall somewhere on the austism spectrum. The numbers could be climbing because of better diagnoses, because more children have it, or both.
"Autism is a huge umbrella term for a lot of children that present with social issues," Cole Pediatric Therapy President Jason Stark said.
And while Stark says delayed motor skills or speech can be signs, what's more important is helping your child cope regardless of any diagnosis.
"If you get wrapped up in the diagnosis, you're going to get way down where you don't need to be. You really just need to focus on what the child needs to do to take the next step," he said.
Kym's approach has in fact inspired an artist friend of hers.
"I really was not aware of the magnitude of austism," artist Uli Kuess said.
Kuess created a one-of-a-kind piece that Donoho's Jewelry is auctioning off later this month in hopes of raising thousands for the chairty Austism Speaks. The group's puzzle piece logo painted into the design.
"It's affecting a friend of mine, and it's affecting, obviously, many people so I was moved to do something about it," Kuess said.
The auction will be held April 27. They're hoping to raise at least $12,000 from that single painting.
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