A mother in urgent need of assistance has affectionately labeled her son ‘Wreck it Ralph’ due to his rare condition, which compels him to damage their residence and consume parts of his bedroom walls.
Leigh Murphy, 29, is in a constant state of vigilance with her six-year-old son, Steven, to prevent him from ingesting potentially harmful objects within their household. Steven was recently diagnosed with severe autism and a disorder known as pica, causing him to crave non-edible items like sand, mud, and even the walls of his room, resulting in exposed electrical wiring.
Leigh and her partner, also named Steven, 28, have been pleading with North Lanarkshire council for the last three years to provide them with a council home that can be modified to ensure a safer environment for their son. Their goal is to install padding in Steven’s room to deter him from eating the plaster, set up a wet room and ventilation system to maintain proper airflow while preventing escape attempts.
Expressing her distress, Leigh, who resides in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, shared, “It’s a dire situation – there’s no secure space to contain him. He destroys everything.” She further added, “He possesses immense strength. He can easily overpower me. It’s terrifying. Where do we go from here? I walk in, and he has wires dangling from the wall.”
Steven’s grandmother, Lesley McCrann, 48, observed potential signs of autism in Steven at just one year old. Lesley, currently undergoing training to become a social worker, has experience working with autistic children and noticed early indicators in Steven’s behavior, such as lack of eye contact.
After being under the care of a multidisciplinary team for five years, Steven was officially diagnosed with autism, pica, and intellectual disability in May 2025 due to extended waiting periods and referral delays.
Leigh made the difficult decision to step back from her role as an A&E clinical support worker when Steven was four-and-a-half years old. Lesley remarked, “He lacks awareness of danger. You can’t afford to lose sight of him for even a moment. He has always consumed inappropriate items – at home, in the garden, or at school. He has an insatiable urge to eat non-edible objects.”
Describing the challenges they face, Leigh mentioned, “He consumes the carpet, his feces. His throat is frequently husky. You can’t turn away for a moment. If you do, you’ll find the wallpaper torn off the wall.”
The family has been striving to secure a council house for three years but remains on the waiting list. Currently, they reside in a private two-story, three-bedroom home that cannot be adapted to accommodate Steven’s needs. For his safety, they have to lock his door at night.
Lesley emphasized, “The current house is inadequate for Steven. His safety is compromised. He pulls out electrical cables from the walls. Leigh truly needs assistance.”
Leigh remains at home caring for Steven, who is non-verbal, with support from Lesley, as her husband, Steven, works full-time as a lift installer. Steven attends a special educational needs school from 9 am to 3 pm, yet Leigh feels constantly on edge ensuring the house is devoid of objects within Steven’s reach that he could grab or ingest.
Referring to her son as ‘Wreck it Ralph,’ Leigh shared about the minimalistic setup in their living spaces, with most items locked away in the kitchen to prevent Steven’s access. Due to Steven’s behavior, their daughter, Isla-Mae, nine, cannot have friends over.
Steven’s sensory issues lead him to pull and bite everything within reach, requiring a stripped-down bedroom to prevent destruction. His disruptive sleep schedule further complicates matters, with Leigh struggling to rest as Steven may wake in the early hours and remain awake for extended periods.
Leigh expressed her hope for a specially-adapted home that would provide a secure environment for Steven, allowing her the peace of mind to rest assured of his safety. She acknowledged, “Knowing he has a safe space to retreat to will grant me the ability to sleep. For the first time in six years, I might be able to relax and trust that he’s okay. I’m running on empty.”
Despite the challenges, Steven’s family describes him as a joyful and affectionate boy, even amidst the chaos he inadvertently creates.
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council affirmed their awareness of the family’s circumstances and collaboration with social work services to address their needs. However, the scarcity of suitable housing, particularly an adaptable bungalow in Cumbernauld, poses a significant challenge, with most properties in the area owned by housing associations rather than the council. They reassured that efforts are underway, in coordination with partner landlords, to explore all possible options, though finding the right property may take time.
