Treatment of Chronic Skin-Picking in an Adolescent With Asperger Syndrome and Borderline Intellectual Disability

Abstract

We present the case of a 17-year-old girl with Asperger syndrome and borderline intellectual disability with a 5-year history of chronic skin-picking. Our intervention approach included an initial functional assessment to identify variables maintaining skin-picking, followed by evaluation of a behavioral treatment package. Results of the functional assessment suggested that skin-picking was maintained by automatic reinforcement in the form of tactile and visual stimulation. The intervention, consisting of an antecedent control procedure (covering areas with bandages) and differential reinforcement, was evaluated in an ABAC.