Papers by Valerie Volkert
The journal of pediatrics/The Journal of pediatrics, Jun 1, 2024
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Journal of applied behavior analysis, Feb 15, 2024
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Disability and Rehabilitation, 2001
The purpose of this study was to identify the variables involved in the maintenance of aberrant b... more The purpose of this study was to identify the variables involved in the maintenance of aberrant behaviours associated with Rett syndrome. The occurrence of aberrant behaviours associated with Rett syndrome is typically attributed to biological variables associated with the disorder. In some cases. however, these behaviours have been shown to be sensitive to manipulations of environmental variables (i.e. operant contingencies). However, little research exists regarding the variables involved in the maintenance of these behaviours and the manner in which these variables can be manipulated to effectively reduce the occurrence of these behaviours. We conducted functional analyses of the aberrant behaviours exhibited by two females diagnosed with Rett syndrome. Following the functional analyses, treatments were developed to disrupt the relationship between the aberrant response and the reinforcer maintaining it. Results from the functional analysis suggested that in both cases the aberrant behaviours (i.e. hand wringing and hand mouthing) were maintained by automatic reinforcement. Treatment, which included interrupting hand wringing for one individual and preventing hand mouthing for the other participant, resulted in dramatic changes in the levels of aberrant behaviour for both participants. These changes suggested that preventing reinforcement delivery reduced the motivation to engage in aberrant behaviour. These results suggest that operant variables can be manipulated to influence the occurrence of aberrant behaviour associated with Rett syndrome.
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Behavior Modification, Dec 8, 2022
Successful feeding intervention ultimately requires generalization and adoption of treatment into... more Successful feeding intervention ultimately requires generalization and adoption of treatment into the home. Treatment models, however, differ regarding how and when caregivers are integrated into care delivery process. Some treatments involve a primary model of parent training with caregivers serving as co-therapist at the onset of intervention, while others involve a complimentary model where a therapist delivers the intervention and caregiver training occurs once the child’s behavior is stable. This review systematically evaluates the evidence-base regarding behavioral feeding intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a specific focus on interventions involving parent training. Results provide further evidence regarding the potential benefits of behavioral intervention to improve feeding concerns in ASD, while also highlighting growing attention to documenting and/or evaluating parent training within the treatment literature. Important questions remain regarding factors guiding the use of a primary or complimentary model of parent training.
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Behavior Modification, Nov 13, 2022
Children diagnosed with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) or avoidant/restrictive food intake diso... more Children diagnosed with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) may present with comorbid oral-motor delays that often contribute to their failure to consume an adequate volume and/or variety of foods. Once the food enters the mouth, these children may exhibit additional problematic behavior such as expulsion and packing that further averts oral intake. Previous research has evaluated the impact of modified-bolus placement methods, including flipped spoon and NUK® brush, in comparison to upright spoon on expulsion and packing. Whether responses are due to performance or skill deficits, researchers hypothesize that modified-bolus placement may assist with reducing the response effort associated with swallowing. This retrospective consecutive controlled case series assessed the clinical application of an additional modified-bolus placement method, underspoon, to increase food consumption and decrease problematic behavior that interfere with mouth clean for children with PFD or ARFID.
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Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition
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Behavioral Development, 2021
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International Journal of Eating Disorders, 2021
OBJECTIVE Expert consensus increasingly recognizes intensive multidisciplinary intervention (IMI)... more OBJECTIVE Expert consensus increasingly recognizes intensive multidisciplinary intervention (IMI) as the standard of care to address chronic and severe feeding problems in pediatric populations. In this study, we examined the clinical presentation, intervention characteristics, and treatment outcomes for young children receiving IMI for avoidant restrictive rood intake disorder (ARFID) involving nutritional insufficiencies associated with severe food selectivity. METHOD We followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement to conduct this retrospective chart review. The review focused on consecutive patients (birth to age 21 years) admitted to the IMI program over a 5-year period (June 2014 to June 2019). Inclusion criteria required micronutrient insufficiencies (vitamins A, B12, C, D, E; folic acid; calcium; iron; and zinc) and chronic mealtime refusal behavior (e.g., turning head away from food/spoon, pushing or throwing spoon, crying, screaming, and leaving the table) associated with severe food selectivity. RESULTS Over the 5-year period, 63 of the patients met study entry requirements. Of these, 60 patients (50 boys and 10 girls; mean age = 72 ± 39 months; range = 23-181) completed intervention (95% treatment completion rate). At discharge, dietary diversity improved by 16 new therapeutic foods (range: 8-22), rapid acceptance and swallowing of new foods exceeded clinical benchmarks (80% or > bites), and risk for nutritional inadequacies declined for this patient cohort. DISCUSSION Results of the current study support the benefits of IMI to increase dietary variety, improve mealtime behaviors, and enhance nutritional intake for children with ARFID presenting with severe food selectivity.
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The Journal of Pediatrics, 2020
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Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2016
Although some children with feeding disorders may have the necessary skills to feed themselves, t... more Although some children with feeding disorders may have the necessary skills to feed themselves, they may lack motivation to self-feed solids and liquids. Rivas, Piazza, Roane, Volkert, Stewart, Kadey, and Groff (Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 1–14, 2014) and Vaz, Volkert, and Piazza (Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 915–920, 2011) successfully increased self-feeding for children who lacked motivation to self-feed by manipulating either the quantity or the quantity and quality of bites that the therapist fed the child if he or she did not self-feed. In the current investigation, we present three case examples to illustrate some challenges we faced when using these procedures outlined in the aforementioned studies and how we addressed these challenges.
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Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 2019
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Behavior Analysis in Practice
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Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
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Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
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Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
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Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
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Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
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Papers by Valerie Volkert