Leigh Murphy, 29, has to constantly monitor her six-year-old, Steven, to stop him munching on potentially dangerous items around the house, owing to his rare condition
A desperate mum has nicknamed her son ‘Wreck it Ralph’ as she pleads for help with his rare condition that leads him to destroy their home and eat the walls of his bedroom.
Leigh Murphy, 29, is constantly on guard with her six-year-old, Steven, to prevent him from consuming potentially harmful items around the house. The young boy was diagnosed with severe autism and an eating disorder called pica – which triggers cravings for non-edible objects – just four months ago. Steven’s diet includes sand, mud and even his bedroom walls, leading to exposed electrical wires.
Leigh and her partner, also named Steven, 28, are currently living in a privately rented property and have been begging North Lanarkshire council for the past three years to provide them with a council home that they can modify to create a safer environment for their son.
They hope to install padding in his bedroom to prevent him from eating the plaster, fit a wet room and vents – ensuring he has air circulation but can’t attempt to escape.
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Leigh, who cares for Steven in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, expressed: “It’s horrendous – there is no safe space to put him. He destroys everything.
“He’s so strong. He just knocks me over. It’s terrifying. Where do we go from here? I’ll walk in and he’s got wires hanging out the wall.”
Steven’s grandmother, Lesley McCrann, 48, noticed signs that Steven could be autistic when he was just one year old. Lesley, who is training to become a social worker, has experience working with autistic children.
She revealed: “I noticed his eye contact. He wouldn’t look you in the eye.”
Steven has been surrounded by a multidisciplinary team for the past five years, but it was only in May 2025 that he was officially diagnosed with autism, pica and intellectual disability due to waiting lists and referral delays.
Leigh made the decision to step back from her role as an A&E clinical support worker when Steven was four-and-a-half. Lesley said: “He has no awareness of danger.
“You can’t take your eye off him for a second. He’s always eaten things he shouldn’t have – at home, in the garden or at school. He just eats anything non-edible.
“His new thing has been picking the walls in his bedroom. There are massive holes in his bedroom wall. There are electricity wires hanging out of the wall.”
Steven’s bedroom is bare except for his mattress because he’ll eat or pull at everything else.
Leigh said: “He eats the carpet, his own poo. He constantly has a husky throat. You can’t turn your back for a second. You turn your back for a second to check on dinner and the wallpaper is off the wall.”
The family have been attempting to secure a council house for the past three years but remain on the waiting list. They currently reside in a three-bedroom, two-storey private let, which they cannot modify to meet Steven’s needs.
For his own safety, they have to lock his door at night.
“The house isn’t sufficient for Steven,” said Lesley. “Steven’s life is in danger. He’s pulling electrical cables out of the wall. She [Leigh] really needs support.”
Leigh remains at home with Steven, who cannot speak, except when Lesley is present to provide assistance – as her husband Steven works full-time as a lift installer.
Steven attends a special educational needs school (SEN) from 9am to 3pm but Leigh still feels “on edge” as she must ensure the house remains spotless with nothing left within Steven’s reach that he could grab or bite.
Leigh said: “We nickname him Wreck it Ralph. In the living room we only have two couches and telly – that’s it. In the kitchen everything is locked away.”
The parents also care for their daughter, Isla-Mae, nine, and explain she cannot invite friends round due to Steven’s behaviour.
Lesley said: “He’s so sensory. You have to take everything out the bath – the shampoo and bubble bath. Everything gets pulled in or bitten. He is so fast and so strong.
“His bedroom has got nothing in it because he wrecks things. He pulled a radiator right off the wall.”
Leigh battles to get adequate rest as Steven’s sleep routine means he may go to bed at 9pm but wake at 1am and remain awake until the following night. She hopes a new specially-adapted home for the family will allow her to rest knowing Steven is secure.
Leigh said: “Just to know he’s going into his room and it’s a safe space will mean I can sleep. For once in six years I’ll be able to take a breathe and know he’s OK. I’m running on air.
“Steven is so happy even when he’s making a mess. He’s such a loving wee boy.”
A representative for North Lanarkshire Council stated: “We understand the family’s situation and are working closely with social work colleagues to support their needs.
“The type of property required, an adaptable bungalow in Cumbernauld, is in very short supply, and most homes in the area are owned by housing associations rather than the council.
“We currently have no suitable council housing available but, with the family’s agreement, we are engaged with our partner landlords to explore every option. While this is being treated as a priority, finding the right property may take time.”
To back the family’s petition – https://chng.it/T2pCJrRVvB.