A couple living in fear of their autistic son have locked every door and window in the house to protect the other children.
Max Whelan, 11, has autism so severe he is constantly engaging in intense ‘violent meltdowns’ that leave his family living on edge.
His mother Liz can be seen being attacked by Max as she exclaims ‘that’s what I deal with every night’ in a preview of 60 minutes to air on Sunday night.
Max Whelan, 11 (pictured) has autism so severe he is constantly engaging in intense ‘violent meltdowns’ that leave his family living in fear
Max (pictured front) with his sister Georgia, 7, left, mother Liz, father Sean, and brothers Tom, 13, and Harry 9
Sister Georgia, 7, told the TV show, ‘I’m really scared of him’, while Harry, 9, described his brother as ‘crazy’.
But Mrs Whelan explained: ‘There is no condition on our love for him but there are conditions on our safety.
Max’s aunt Nicky Whelan, a former Neighbours TV star, told the network the situation is ‘really scary’.
‘It’s a child you are dealing with, with the strength of a man,’ she said.
Max, left, with father Sean and mother Liz who said she loves her son but fears for the family’s safety
On a Go Fund Me page, Liz’s sister Katie Brannaghan explains Max hits out at anyone within his reach, including the family’s dog.
‘He will hit out at anyone who is within his reach, most often his mother but also his siblings and even the family’s beautiful dog, Kimba,’ she said.
‘He will regularly tear doors from hinges and anything that is not nailed down becomes a weapon to be hurled across a room, regardless of what, or more importantly who is in the way.’
Each child has a lock on their bedroom door with codes to protect them from Max’s outbursts.
Sister Georgia, middle, said she is really scared of he brother while Harry, left, described his brother as crazy. Tom is pictured on the right
‘When Max is frustrated, the family home becomes a warzone and everyone in it is at risk,’ the page states.
‘They have taken to locking themselves in their rooms, fitted with special combination locks, for their own protection.’
The fundraising page has been set up to raise funds for the family to build a facility for Max to provide a safe home for all the family.
‘If they are unable to set up their own facility for Max as well as providing a safe home for their other children, they have no choice but to consider relinquishing Max to the state, an absolutely heart-wrenching thought for any parent to ever have to contemplate.’
60 Minutes airs at 8.40pm Sunday on Channel 9.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to raise funds for the family to set up a safer home