What is Angelman Syndrome? The condition that Colin Farrell's son suffers from

Colin Farrell’s son is suffering from a rare condition called Angelman Syndrome (AS). Trying to educate people about the rare condition and starting healthy conversations around the same, the actor recently launched the Colin Farrell Foundation.

Speaking about it publicly for the first time, the DC Penguin star opened up about son James, whom he shares with ex, Kim Bordenave. His 20-year-old son James will turn a year older this September and will no longer be able to avail medical help that the government provides to families with children who have special needs.

Colin Farrell on his son's rare condition

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Speaking of his condition, Colin Farrell said, “Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own. All the safeguards that are put in place, special ed classes, that all goes away, so you’re left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society and more often than not is left behind.”

Farrell started the foundation to help others like his child and as a means of offering support for adult children with such disabilities. The initiative seeks to provide advocacy, education, and innovative programs about such cases.

What is Angelman Syndrome?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the rare neuro-genetic disorder affects around one in 12,000 to 20,000 people. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke lists the genetic disorder which was first diagnosed in 1965.

The Syndrome primarily affects the diagnosed individual's nervous system. Common defining symptoms include developmental delay, intellectual disability, severe speech impairment, problems with movement and balance (ataxia), recurrent seizures (epilepsy), a very happy demeanour with frequent laughter and a small head size (microcephaly).

The disorder is caused by a loss of function of the UBE3A gene, which offers instructions for making ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A, a protein vital in the development and function of the nervous system.

There is no cure for the disorder. People suffering with this understand what is being said but it’s difficult for them to communicate. They can learn over time to communicate non-verbally and with communication devices.