Today show's Richard Wilkins reflects on raising a son with Down syndrome

'After about a year, we put him in a home': Richard Wilkins reflects on raising a son with Down syndrome and why the Today star placed him in care in New Zealand when he was a baby

By Benge Nsenduluka For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:08 GMT, 21 March 2019 | Updated: 02:45 GMT, 21 March 2019

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Richard 'Dickie' Wilkins has reflected on fathering a son with Down syndrome.

Speaking on Today Extra on Thursday, the father-of-five revealed why he was forced to send his first son, Adam, 45, into care in New Zealand when he was a baby.

'I was only 18 when Adam was born [and] his mum was just 16, very unusual for Down syndrome people to be born to such young parents ... It was a shock to be a parent let alone of a Down syndrome child,' he said.   

Special needs: Richard Wilkins (left) has reflected on fathering a son with Down syndrome. Pictured right: Richard's son, Adam, in 2012

Special needs: Richard Wilkins (left) has reflected on fathering a son with Down syndrome. Pictured right: Richard's son, Adam, in 2012

'I was getting on with my life and career, I wanted to travel the world and make music and do that sort of stuff, and it was with some reluctance that after about a year we put Adam in a home.

'People said you can have him adopted. But I thought "he is always going to be my son" and

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