KUALA LUMPUR: Radio announcer and singer Hunny Madu, 40, recently went on a holiday in Tokyo, Japan with her seven-year-old son Adam Musa Khairul Azhar.
While they enjoyed themselves in the Land Of The Rising Sun, Hunny lamented that many of the locals did not seem to like her son's presence and ticked her off for not being able to control his mannerisms.
"Many people there thought I was not being a responsible mother to Adam. They don't realise that he is autistic, and presumed that he was misbehaving in public," said Hunny in a news report yesterday.
Hunny added that whenever Adam shouted in public, some of the locals got angry and scolded her.
"Their awareness of autism is still very low. They have to equip themselves better with knowledge of autistic children and not dismiss them as disobedient or disrespectful kids," she said.
Hunny said that autism awareness was a lot better in Malaysia and she often talked to parents with autistic children in order to understand her son's condition better.
"Adam is studying in a school for autistic children. He gets along well with his schoolmates and has learned to be more independent," she said.
Hunny added that her son's heart condition had greatly improved after he underwent corrective surgery two years ago.