A concerned mother has affectionately called her son ‘Wreck it Ralph’ while seeking assistance for his uncommon condition that drives him to damage their residence and consume the walls of his room.
Leigh Murphy, aged 29, is constantly vigilant with her six-year-old child, Steven, to prevent him from ingesting potentially hazardous objects within their home. Only recently, the young boy was diagnosed with severe autism and a disorder known as pica, which causes cravings for non-food items. Steven’s unconventional diet includes substances like sand, mud, and even parts of his bedroom walls, leading to exposed electrical wiring.
Leigh and her partner, also named Steven and aged 28, are currently residing in a privately rented house and have been appealing to North Lanarkshire council for over three years to provide them with a council property that they can modify to create a safer setting for their son.
Their plan involves installing protective padding in Steven’s room to prevent him from consuming the plaster, as well as setting up a wet room and vents to ensure proper air circulation while deterring any escape attempts.
Expressing her distress, Leigh, who looks after Steven in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, stated, “It’s unbearable – there’s no secure area to keep him. He wrecks everything. He’s incredibly strong, he easily overpowers me. It’s frightening. What steps can we take next? I walk in, and he’s tampering with the wall wires.”
Steven’s grandmother, Lesley McCrann, aged 48, observed signs of autism in Steven when he was only a year old. Lesley, who is undergoing training to become a social worker and has experience with autistic children, noticed his avoidance of eye contact.
Surrounded by a diverse team for the past five years, Steven was officially diagnosed with autism, pica, and intellectual disability in May 2025 due to extended waiting periods and referral delays.
Leigh decided to step back from her role as an A&E clinical support worker when Steven was four-and-a-half years old, as he has no concept of danger.
Lesley mentioned, “You can’t take your eyes off him for a second. He’s always eaten inappropriate things – at home, in the garden, or at school. He consumes anything non-edible.”
Leigh described how Steven’s room is nearly empty, except for his mattress, as he tends to eat or pull apart everything else within the room. She mentioned instances where he consumes items like carpet or his own feces, emphasizing the need for constant supervision.
The family has been striving to secure a suitable council house for the past three years but remains on the waiting list. Due to safety concerns, they are compelled to lock Steven’s door at night.
Lesley emphasized the urgency, stating, “The current house is inadequate for Steven. His life is at risk. He’s pulling out electrical cables from the wall. She [Leigh] truly needs support.”
Leigh stays at home caring for Steven, who is non-verbal, while her husband Steven works full-time as a lift installer. Steven attends a special educational needs school from 9 am to 3 pm, but Leigh still feels anxious, ensuring the house is meticulously organized to prevent Steven from accessing harmful objects.
The family affectionately refers to Steven as ‘Wreck it Ralph’ due to his destructive tendencies, limiting the furnishings in their living room and securing items in the kitchen to prevent him from causing harm.
In addition to Steven, the parents also care for their daughter, Isla-Mae, aged nine, who cannot have friends over due to Steven’s behavior.
Lesley highlighted Steven’s sensory nature, expressing the constant need to remove potentially harmful items even from the bath. She noted Steven’s strength and speed in damaging things, emphasizing the challenges they face.
Leigh struggles to rest adequately as Steven’s erratic sleep patterns disrupt her own rest. She hopes that a specially-adapted home will provide the security needed for both her and Steven to have peaceful nights.
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council acknowledged the family’s situation and assured that they are collaborating with social work authorities to address their requirements. Due to limited availability of suitable properties, the search for an adaptable bungalow in Cumbernauld may take time, as most residences in the area are managed by housing associations.
To support the family’s plea, visit the petition at: [https://chng.it/T2pCJrRVvB.](https://chng.it/T2pCJrRVvB.)