Towards evidence-informed support for families with members on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): initiatives and insights from Hong Kong.

Abstract

The prevalence rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) appear to be on a rise globally. Caring for children with ASD can bring physical and psychological burden to the caregivers. Keeping in pace with information and services development and getting the right resources for their children may exhaust parents and threaten marital and family relationships. Unfortunately, family support services for such families are under-developed and under-researched even in high-income societies. In September 2015, with the support of a charitable grant, a systematic documentation and review of family support for families with ASD members has commenced in Hong Kong. This 18-month project will examine family needs, document known services, evaluate some support services, and promote and disseminate good practices for families of children with ASD in Hong Kong. The project aims to generate a goal-driven, theory-informed, evidence-based and culturally-relevant support framework for such families. This paper will report the scope, methodologies, and preliminary findings of the project and discuss implications for the generation of the service framework.