The young Perth man who spent his days locked in a dingy bedroom with a mattress on the floor and a bucket for a toilet under the care of the WA Department of Communities has made significant progress since his case was revealed by WAtoday late last year.

Happier now: Reece Parkinson Credit:Karen Parkinson

Reece Parkinson has autism spectrum disorder and is prone to destructive emotional outbursts.

His mother Karen complained late last year her son was being forced to live in overly restrictive conditions due to a lack of appropriate therapy and support in a home that was not designed to suit his needs. A clinical psychologist who worked with him described the conditions at his care home as a human rights violation.

Mrs Parkinson had been forced to put Reece into full-time care about a decade ago after the family could no longer cope with his destructive behaviours. He has the mental capacity of a young child.