‘Tied down': Hong Kong carers of autistic youngsters under high stress, poll says
Three in four Hong Kong carers suffer significant stress while looking after youngsters with conditions such as autism, a survey has found, with long hours and inadequate support among the complaints.
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The autism-focused To Dream Charity Foundation on Sunday released the results of its poll of 220 carers conducted in April, shining a light on their daily pressures.
One of those who spoke to the foundation was Joan Moy, the primary carer for her 12-year-old autistic grandson.
'Daily care makes me feel tied down and affects my social life with friends,' Moy said at a press conference. 'For the past three years, I have had to take care of him for 24 hours a day.'
The boy has multiple disabilities including a speech disorder and sensory sensitivities.
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Nearly 80 per cent of the carers surveyed were women, while about 60 per cent were aged between 36 and 55.
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