Delwin's father Lawrence Cheah Guan Keong and Law with Delwin (left) and Delwina showing the framed letter from Obama and a photograph signed with well-wishes as well as the book "I Can Draw" during the press conference.
GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia's first autistic savant artist, Delwin Cheah Wien Loong, received a recognition letter from President Barack Obama for his artwork.
Cheah's mother, Erina Law Mei Sun, 39, said Obama's letter came as a pleasant surprise and hoped the recognition would continue to support and encourage parents of autistic children.
"We have no idea who sent Delwin's art book, which was published two years ago, entitled 'I Can Draw' to the US president.
"When Delwin received the letter, he gave a big smile," she told a press conference here.
Law said her 11-year-old son was preparing a drawing to the US president to thank him and wished to send it to the White House.
"We want to share the recognition because we want to create awareness about autism and give support to parents of autistic children on how they can train and inspire their children," said the mother-of-two.
Law said she was building Delwin's confidence in writing and he showed improvement in his abilities to write with 25 sentences from two to three sentences previously.
"The biggest challenge going forward for Delwin is social skills and we will continue to support and help him build confidence," she said, adding that parents of children with special needs should not give up and neglect them.
Law said Delwin's ability to draw with a pen and never makes mistakes in his strokes have inspired and motivated his youngest sister Delwina Cheah Kah Yan, nine, to draw without using any erasers.
Delwin was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome with the IQ of 114 at the age of five.
He started to draw at the age of three and has been recognised as the world's youngest autistic savant artist to hold a solo art exhibition by the Record Setter USA on April 28, 2013. - Bernama
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