Katie Price: Harvey will not hide away because of his disability

Katie Price has said son Harvey refuses to hide from the public eye because of his disability – and is a proud ambassador for autism awareness.

The reality star’s 17-year-old son – who is partially blind, on the autistic spectrum and suffers from genetic condition Prader-Willi Syndrome, which can lead to obesity, low muscle tone and learning difficulties – has spoken out after years being targeted with abuse on social media.

Price, 41, told Channel 5 news: "I think it's good that he's in public eye because there's so many people out there who are scared, they don't know how to cope or they don't go out because they think people might look at them.

"Why should Harvey be hidden away? Everyone loves him, he's got such a following. Just because of his disabilities why should be be treated any different?"

Read more: Katie Price's son asks people not to bully him

The former glamour model and mother-of-five begged cruel trolls to leave her eldest son alone.

She said: "It's just so shocking what do you do, what do you do? He's innocent, he wouldn't harm a fly.”

Price was shown asking Harvey: "You're an ambassador what does that mean?"

"Don't be horrible," he replied.

Price added: "That means you're going to help other people like Harvey and protect them from people being horrible."

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After being the target of abuse from online trolls for years Harvey has become an ambassador for Anna Kennedy Online, a charity which raises austism awareness and runs the Austism’s Got Talent event, in which Harvey has taken part.

Harvey has over 72,000 followers on his own Instagram account.

Earlier this month he posted an emotional video from his mother’s account pleading with trolls, “Please don’t be horrible to Harvey.”

Harvey’s father is former Aston Villa and Manchester United footballer Dwight Yorke who had a fling with Price in 2001. Yorke, 48, disputed paternity and has never been a part of Harvey’s life.