Thrifty actress Jenny McCarthy installed a stripper pole in her Los Angeles home at the height of her son Evan's autism battle - because a real fireman's pole was so expensive.

The actress/model opened the doors to her germ-free retreat, where her son is home schooled by teachers who understand his condition, to U.S. TV show Access Hollywood recently - and admitted there's a naughty secret in his playroom.

As well as a climbing rope attached to the ceiling, there's also a metal pole that McCarthy revealed is not exactly what it seems. She explains, "The fireman's pole was, like, $2,000, and the strip-aerobics pole was $200."

Meanwhile, McCarthy has bought the property next to her home and plans to turn both into a center for autistic children.

Little Evan is a recovered autistic child. (KL/WNVACC/LJ)

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