Having a child these days also means having to worry about autism. The Autism Society of America says one in 150 babies born have autism. 27 News has the story of an autistic man from Hays with a talent that helps him cope.

These are the hands of a man skillfully working wood around a scroll saw, but also the hands of a man limited by autism.

"He started working on scroll saw 15 years ago, he was always talented at it but now he's really gotten good," says Jim Warren, whose son has autism.

A booth inside the autism seminar at the Expocentre shows you his work and his company. Thirty-five-year-old Erik Warren has a license to make and sell mascot artwork for four Kansas Universities.

"He's been doing it 15 years now and its become his life. When he wakes up, after his shower that is, he says, “Scroll saw! Scroll saw!" says Kevin Pfeifer, Erik's Caregiver.

Erik's hands dance around the blade as it cuts, his fingers so close to danger, but in 15 years he's only nicked himself once. Amazing for a man can do so much with his body, but because of his autism, can't express his self with words.

"He has a great power of deduction and he's very bright, but he doesn’t have much language, maybe a few words," says Jim.

He sings while he works his dad says, something that tells him this work gives his son peace.

"His life is in his hands and when he's working he's doesn't have his compulsions," says Jim.

His work has become a healthy compulsion one that's helped him and his family deal through the years.

"He stays at this for hours so it’s not only good for him, but good for us, so it works," says Jim.

A tip he has for other parents dealing with autism, help your child find their talent.

You can see or purchase Erik’s work Wednesday outside the autism seminar at the Expocentre from 8 am to 1 pm.