A mother in South Wales secretly placed a recording device inside her autistic son's cuddly toy to uncover abusive language used by care home staff. Christine Anne Mayor became concerned after her 15-year-old son Kyle Thomas, who has severe autism and echolalia, began repeating vile comments.
Mrs Mayor bought a small recorder and hid it inside the head of Kyle's Waybuloo toy. The recording captured staff at the Nantgwyn Centre in Aberdare shouting 'dirty boy' and using expletives and derogatory sexual phrases. Four employees received formal warnings but remain in their posts.
Kyle had been visiting the home for four years, spending about four nights a month there to give his mother respite. Mrs Mayor said: 'When I brought it home and listened to the recording, I nearly had a heart attack. I felt that the way they spoke to him was really horrible.'
South Wales Police investigated and passed the matter to social services. A Rhondda Cynon Taf council spokesman confirmed a full investigation had been conducted and appropriate action taken. Mrs Mayor is now considering complaining to the ombudsman about the staff being reinstated.
