An 11-year-old boy with autism died after he was lashed to a chair in the garden shed of his central west NSW home while soaking wet in extremely cold temperatures over night.

His mother is on trial for his manslaughter at Sydney Central Court, which heard yesterday that his parents "were not coping" with his behaviour.

View photos An 11-year-old boy with autism died after he was lashed to a chair in the garden shed of his central west NSW home while soaking wet in extremely cold temperatures over night. Photo: Supplied More

The mother and the boy's stepfather resorted to using packing tape and trucking straps to restrain the child who they said had become physically difficult.

The boy would throw his body around, soil himself and would not sleep, Crown prosecutor Peter McGrath SC told the court.

Suffering from autism that severely impaired his ability to communicate, the prosecution said his parents would lash his limbs with "a belt or ratchet type tie" in order to settle him. Evidence showed he struggled against the restraints.

View photos The mother and the boy's stepfather resorted to using packing tape and trucking straps to restrain the child who they said had become physically difficult. Photo: Supplied More

On the night of his death, the boy's stepfather carried the child to the shower while strapped to a chair and placed him under cold water, the court heard.

In an interview recorded by police and played in court Wednesday, the mother said the cold shower was a tested method used to "snap him out of it" and settle him.





On the night of his death, the boy's stepfather told the mother to "come quick" to the back shed where she found him untying the child who was limp with his tongue hanging out.

View photos On the night of his death, the boy's stepfather told the mother to More

Story continues