South Carolina's Autism Society held a "Grand Strand Strides" event Saturday afternoon.

Today's walk was to raise awareness and funds for the organization.

Susan Leiby who's son is autistic says, "he's still my perfect child he's just a different kind of perfect there's behaviors we have to work on social difficulties and try to help him learn how to have friends."

She adds, the more people understand the effects of autism the easier it is for people who have the developmental disorder and their families

Autism rates have risen sharply over the years, now affecting 1 in 110.