Food as a motivator in a client with Prader Willi syndrome.

A 34-year-old man with Prader Willi syndrome and an associated learning disability had had ulcers on both legs for 20 years because the healing process was interrupted by self-harm. This multi-disciplinary team used behaviour modification techniques with food being the motivator to heal both legs. Such a motivator would not normally be advocated because people with this syndrome often have excessive appetites but in this case it was felt that the possible gains would outweigh the risks.