In a touching display of compassion, a street vendor's kind gesture calmed a frightened child with autism, moving the boy's mother to tears. The incident, captured and shared by the mother on her social media account, highlights the importance of empathy and understanding for children with special needs.

The mother recently posted a video and story recounting the event. She explained that she had taken her 11-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter to a hawker center for a meal. However, their outdoor dining experience was disrupted by a sudden downpour.

As she hurriedly packed their food to move indoors, her son, who has autism, sought refuge under a table. Moments later, he bolted into one of the food stalls, clearly distressed.

In the video, the boy can be seen standing in front of the stall, covering his ears in fear. A kind-hearted vendor, whom she describes as an older man, approached the boy and gently patted his back, massaging his neck and softly stroking his head to soothe him.

"Seeing this, I couldn't hold back my tears," the mother recounted. "I quickly grabbed my phone to capture this precious moment. I'm deeply grateful to the vendor for his empathy and kindness towards my son."

In her post, she expressed her gratitude for the diverse and inclusive nature of Malaysia, where people of different races and religions show understanding and acceptance, especially towards children with special needs. "Thank you to all the strangers who show empathy towards our children," she wrote.

The mother shared that her son, who is highly sensitive due to his autism, usually avoids people with stern appearances. "I used to judge people by their looks, but now I trust my son's instincts. Autistic children can easily sense those who are kind to them," she explained.

Reflecting on her journey, she said, "My son's presence in my life has guided me in so many ways. He often displays a maturity beyond his years, warming my heart."

The challenges of finding appropriate care for children with autism, especially after the age of seven, led her to start a toy company and an autism therapy centre. She advises other parents of children with special needs to utilize government resources, such as applying for an OKU (disabled person) card, which can provide various benefits.

Her post resonated with many netizens, who shared their own experiences. One mother commented, "We also have a special needs child in our family. My uncle's son is 13 now. When I take my own child out, I remind them not to look at special needs children differently and to be kind and helpful."

She continued, "Taking our special needs child out helps them adjust to the world. Some people don't understand and say it's better not to bring them out, but they need to be exposed to the outside world to avoid meltdowns. Parents won't be around forever to take care of them."

Another parent shared, "My child's kindergarten has a few special needs children who enjoy playing with my kid. Some parents ask if I'm worried about the influence, but I'm not. My child is compassionate, and I'm proud that special needs children feel comfortable around him."

Recalling a personal experience, she added, "Once in an elevator, I saw a crying child whose mother was losing patience. I gently comforted the child and explained to the mother that some children are more sensitive to sensations, like the movement of the elevator."

She concluded with a heartfelt plea: "I hope the world can show more understanding, patience, and kindness towards special needs children, rather than looking at them differently."

This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the profound impact that empathy and small acts of kindness can have on individuals and their families, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society.