My son is 11 and high functioning autism/aspergers and he has a habit if picking everything; from sock string to the seams on all of his clothes. He does not swallow the string but he does chew them. This has been going on for a few years now and we have tried everything to deversions, chewing on straws, gum, chewing on athletic bracellets, threats...everything and nothing is working. I have done some reading and the books say to find the true reason as to why he is doing what he is doing. The problem is he does it all the time, good times and stressed times it is too hard to pinpoint what is driving this. I have asked him and he has broken down and said that he doesn't want to do it and he knows that socially it has been an issue with his peers. He is on medication for anxiety and I think it is so ingrained in him now that it is part bad habit and part compulsion. I am looking for some suggestions, stratagies, anything. Thanks Joanie