'My son, 6, eats walls in his own bedroom'

A MOTHER has told how her son almost destroyed the family house and ate the walls due to a rare condition.

- By Paul Withers

Leigh Murphy, 29, has to constantly monitor her six-year-old Steven, to stop him munching on potentially dangerous items around the home.

He was diagnosed with autism four months ago and suffers from pica —an eating disorder that sparks cravings for inedible objects.

Steven eats sand, mud and his bedroom walls, even exposing wires.