Valerie Volkert, PhD, BCBA-D

Program Manager, Psychologist

Assistant Professor, Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics

Valerie M. Volkert, PhD, BCBA-D, is a Psychologist and Program Manager for the Feeding Program at Marcus Autism Center. She received her doctorate in school psychology from Louisiana State University in 2007. She was previously faculty at the Munroe-Meyer Institute and adjunct faculty at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she became the training director for the Applied Behavior Analysis PhD Program and Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

In 2015, Dr. Volkert joined Marcus Autism Center. She oversees patients in intensive day treatment and outpatient clinics of the multidisciplinary Feeding Program, supervises interns and residents, and pursues lines of clinical research. She is particularly interested in treatments to increase advanced feeding skills, such as self-feeding and chewing.

Dr. Volkert has authored three book chapters and published 31 peer-reviewed research studies in multiple journals, including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, the Journal of Experimental Analysis of Behavior, The Journal of Pediatrics and Behavior Analysis in Practice. Dr. Volkert served as the editorial assistant for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis from 2008 to 2010. She is on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and the Behavioral Development Bulletin and is a guest associate editor for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.

Publications

• Volkert, V.M., Sharp, W.G., Cole Clark, M., Ormand, H., Rubio, E.K., & Bryan, L. Modified bolus placement as a therapeutic tool in the treatment of pediatric feeding disorders: Analysis from a Retrospective Chart Review. (accepted). Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research.
• Stubbs, K., Volkert, V.M., Rubio, E.K., & Ottinger, E. (2018). A comparison of flipped spoon presentation and redistribution to decrease packing in children with feeding disorders. Learning and Motivation. (62) 103-111
• Cohenour, J., Volkert, V.M., & Allen, K.D. (2018). An experimental demonstration of AAB renewal in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. (110) 63-73.
• Call, N.A., Clark, S.B., Mevers, J.L., Parks, N.A., Volkert, V.M., & Scheithauer, M.C. (2018). An individualized method for establishing and thinning multiple schedules of reinforcement following functional communication training. Learning and Motivation. (62)91-102.
• Sharp, W.G., Volkert, V.M., McElhanon, B., & McCracken, C.E. (2017). A systematic review and meta-analysis of intensive multidisciplinary intervention for pediatric feeding disorders: How standard is the standard of care? Journal of Pediatrics. (181)116-224.
• Volkert, V.M, Piazza, C.C., & Ray-Price, R. (2016). Further manipulations in response effort or magnitude of an aversive consequence to increase self-feeding in children with pediatric feeding disorders. Behavior Analysis in Practice. (49)103-113.
• Zangrillo, A.N., Warzak, W.J., Volkert, V.M., Valleley, R.J., Shiver, M.D., Rodriguez, M.N., & Allen, K.D. (2016). The Munroe-Meyer approach: Continuous integration of didactic instruction, research, and clinical practice. The Behavior Analyst. (39)157-166.
• Peterson, K.M., Piazza, C.C., & Volkert, V.M. (2016). A comparison of the sequential oral sensory approach to an applied behavior-analytic approach in the treatment of food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.(49)485-511.
• Peterson, K.M., Volkert, V.M., & Milnes, S.M. (2016). Increasing self-drinking for child with a feeding disorder using practice trials. Behavior Analysis in Practice. (10)167-171.
• Peterson, K.M., Volkert, V.M., & Zeleny, J.R. (2015). Increasing self-drinking in children with feeding disorders. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. (48)436-441.

Speaking Engagements

2018

• Volkert, V.M. (2018). Evidence-based practice for the treatment of feeding disorders: A brief overview. Presented at the 2nd Annual Conference for the Behavior Analysis Association of Mississippi, Bay St. Louis, MS.
• Volkert, V.M. (2018). Treatments to advance self-feeding: A won’t do problem. Presented at the 36th California Association for Behavior Analysis Western Regional Conference, Santa Clara, CA.
• Volkert, V.M. (2018). Considerations regarding the assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders. Presented at the 44th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, San Diego, CA.
• Volkert, V.M. (2018). Beyond picky eating. American Academy of Pediatrics Georgia Chapter and Georgia WIC. Lecture presented from Atlanta, GA.
• Volkert, V.M. (2018). A model of intensive intervention for feeding disorders. Presented at the 7th International Forum “Every Child Deserves a Family. Early Intervention Programmes,” Moscow, Russia.
• Volkert, V.M. (2018). A survey of evidence-based practice for the assessment and treatment of feeding disorders. Presented at the 7th International Forum “Every Child Deserves a Family. Early Intervention Programmes,” Moscow, Russia.

2017

• Volkert, V.M. (2017). Innovations for progressing to advanced feeding skills. Presented at 31st Annual Texas Association for Behavior Analysis Conference, Austin, TX.
• Volkert, V.M. (2017). Feeding problems in children with autism. Presented at the 31st Annual Texas Association for Behavior Analysis Conference, Austin, TX.
• Volkert, V.M. (2017) A guide to getting started in the field of pediatric feeding disorders. Presented by the Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, Denver, CO.
• Volkert, V.M. (2017). Intensive approach to treatment for feeding disorders. Presented at the 2nd International Conference Autism World of Opportunities, Astana, Kazakhstan.
• Volkert, V.M., & Smith, N. (2017). The problem of picky eating. Presented by the American Academy of Pediatrics Georgia Chapter, Atlanta, GA.