Colin Farrell's son James suffers from Angelman Syndrome

Colin Farrell's 4-year-old son James suffers from a neuro-genetic disorder called Angelman Syndrome, People reports.

"The only time I'm reminded that there is something different about him - that he has some deviation of what is perceived to be normal – is when I see him with other 4-year-olds. Then I go, 'Oh yeah,' and it comes back to me," Farrell tells the Irish Independent. "But from day one I felt that he's the way he's meant to be."

Farrell says James shows "amazing courage," and adds: "[I'm] incredibly blessed to have him in my life."

"He took his first steps about six weeks ago, and it was four years in the making," Farrell says. "It was incredibly emotional. There wasn't a dry eye in the house."

Angelman Syndrome is characterized by developmental delay, speech impairment, movement or balance disorder, excessive laughter and even seizures, according to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation.

Children who have the disorder are often not diagnosed until they are between 3 and 7 years old.