Parents Liz and Sean Whelan are opening up their home to show the nation their heartbreaking experience of living with a child who suffers from severe autism. In a preview for Sunday night’s 60 Minutes, the family reveals the extreme measures they have had to take in order to protect themselves and their other children from Max, while also ensuring he is getting the support he needs.
Max, 12, has severe non-verbal autism, and an undiagnosed intellectual disability. These issues cause Max inscrutable frustration, resulting in aggressive, destructive and intense meltdowns. For the Whelan family, it means their home can often feel like a ‘war zone’.
The family’s extremely difficult situation became public earlier this year when a GoFundMe page was set up by Australian actress Nicky Whelan – Max’s aunt, and the sister of Liz Whelan. The page aimed to help the family with their finances, as they say there are currently no government options available to them to support Max’s needs on a permanent basis.
"Max is desperately loved by his family and they do not want to have to relinquish him for the safety of their other children," Nicky explained on the page.
"This family is in crisis," she added. "The consequences dire. 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."
Now, the Whelan family will share their experience with 60 Minutes, allowing the nation a window into their plight.
"Home should be a safe place, and it's not at the moment" said Max's father, Sean Whelan.
Liz and Sean Whelan discuss life with 12-year-old Max. Post continues after video.
When Max's siblings - Tom, 13, Harry, 9 and Georgia, 7 - were asked by reporter Liz Hayes, "How would you describe your brother?", the responses revealed the devastating impact Max's difficulties have on the family.
"Scary. Crazy," responded Harry. "I'm really scared of him," said Max's younger sister, Georgia .
While the cameras were rolling, Liz Hayes witnessed one of Max's unpredictable and violent meltdowns.
"It's really scary. It's a child you're dealing with, with the strength of a man," said Nicky Whelan to the camera.
"We love him, there’s no conditions on our love for him. But there’s conditions on our safety," Liz Whelan told 60 Minutes.
9News explained that Liz Whelan has now made plans to move out of the family home with their three other children to protect the family and keep them safe from Max's condition. The family home will be converted "into a private treatment centre for Max".
"We'll take it as far as we need to take it. We'll keep fighting for Max," said Sean Whelan.
Top Comments
I couldn't cope with that situation... I'm so sorry for those parents. Sadly, children with an autism grade so severe are a danger for everybody.
I couldn't even watch all of this. That poor boy, locked inside his own head, unable to communicate, his own siblings frightened of him. And his parents are so sad and trying in vain to keep their heads above water. I don't see why the government can't step in and provide them with some support.
Sadly, the government has made the decision to palm off the majority of the heavy lifting of "caring" to family and friends - it's a huge cost-savings measure that is largely invisible until you're the one burdened with the price. It's also compounded by society's general distaste for institutionalised care: the strong preference is for care in the community/in the home, which, although appealing, is incredibly expensive and inefficient to deliver.
This problem extends beyond the care of autistic people who are on the extreme end of the spectrum. Look no further than aged care: there's very little capacity to keep folk with high care needs (either physical and/or mental) in the community, and nursing homes are run on a shoestring. Challenging or aggressive behaviour is incredibly commonplace as a part of the dementing process, but the onus is still on families to shoulder it instead of society pitching in.
Yes, I have a relative working in age care, with dementia patients and she is regularly assaulted (just part of the job) and paid a pittance and she works so hard and cares about them so much. We really don't value those who are carers in our society, both those who care for family members and those who work in the industry.
That is right Guest we have a heartless, disgusting government,
they are only interested in the privileged in society no time for any struggling normal folk. It is VERY concerning. Our country is run very badly. Politicians spending from public purse to travel around the countryside to buy their own real estate investments. People standing for election when they are not eligible. Just like that all the ill gotten wages and expenses of holding office illegally, is just waived. Millions and millions of dollars. BUT - is a minor debt owed to centrelink waived, even when the person is destitute, NO WAY. There is really two sets rules and any thinking person can see this.