'He set fire to my microwave. He's eaten the cupboards.' Mother pleas for help for autistic son

A mother has made an emotional plea for respite care for her autistic son whose condition, and the lack of help she has received, has caused her to make an attempt on her own life.

Mary (surname withheld) said her seven-year-old son, who is intellectually disabled and has autism, is a constant flight risk and that caring for him is a 24-hour job.