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| Tutorial: Integrating Functional Analytic and Genetic Methods to Study Gene-Environment-Behavior Relations in Autism |
| Sunday, May 25, 2008 |
| 10:00 AM–10:50 AM |
| International North |
| Area: AUT/DDA; Domain: Applied Research |
| BACB CE Offered. CE Instructor: Wayne W. Fisher, Ph.D. |
| Chair: Jeffrey H. Tiger (Louisiana State University) |
| Presenting Authors: : WAYNE W. FISHER (University of Nebraska Medical Center, Munroe-Meyer Institute) |
| Abstract: The completion of the human-genome map holds great potential for extending our understanding of gene-environment-behavior relations and behavior disorders. However, this potential can be fully realized only if the advances in genetic diagnostics are accompanied by advances in behavioral analyses that accurately characterize behavioral phenotypes. For example, in behavioral genetic studies, important behavioral phenomena seen in children with autism (e.g., echolalia, stereotypy, self-injurious behavior) are often phenotyped by a small number of items on a behavioral rating scale. This simplistic and structural approach to behavioral phenotyping often lacks precision and, more importantly, it overlooks the extent to which genes interact with environmental contingencies to influence the expression of aberrant behavior in autism (e.g., genetically mediated sensitivity to social escape as negative reinforcement for problem behavior). Functional analysis, on the other hand, provides a precise method of quantifying both the topographical and functional properties of aberrant behaviors. The accurate characterization of behavioral phenotypes using functional analysis methods should increase the power of analyses designed to identify genes that affect aberrant behavior in autism. This presentation will focus on how functional analysis methods may be used to better characterize behavioral phenotypes in autism and related disorders. |
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| WAYNE W. FISHER (University of Nebraska Medical Center, Munroe-Meyer Institute) |
 Dr. Wayne Fisher is the H.B. Munroe Professor of Behavioral Research in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Director of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at the Munroe-Meyer Institute. He was previously a Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and served as Executive Director of the Neurobehavioral Programs at the Kennedy Krieger Institute (Baltimore) and the Marcus Behavior Center at the Marcus Institute (Atlanta), where he built clinical-research programs in autism and developmental disabilities with national reputations for excellence. Dr. Fisher’s methodologically sophisticated research has focused on several intersecting lines, including preference, choice, and the assessment and treatment of autism and severe behavior disorders, that have been notable for the creative use of concurrent schedules of reinforcement, which have become more commonplace in clinical research primarily as a result of his influence. He has published over 130 articles in peer-reviewed journals, is past Editor of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, a Fellow in the Association for Behavior Analysis International, and recipient of the APA (Division 25) award for distinguished contributions to applied research. |
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| Tutorial: Developing Adherence among Children with Chronic Health Conditions |
| Sunday, May 25, 2008 |
| 2:30 PM–3:20 PM |
| Grand Ballroom |
| Area: CBM; Domain: Service Delivery |
| BACB CE Offered. CE Instructor: Michael Rapoff, Ph.D. |
| Chair: Ann Branstetter-Rost (Missouri State University) |
| Presenting Authors: : MICHAEL RAPOFF (University of Kansas Medical Center) |
| Abstract: This tutorial is designed to provide a review of the literature regarding medical adherence among children with chronic health conditions, such as asthma and arthritis. In addition, clinical behavioral interventions which may be applied to increase adherence are presented in detail along with current outcome data. |
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| MICHAEL RAPOFF (University of Kansas Medical Center) |
 Dr. Michael Rapoff received his Ph.D in Developmental and Child Psychology in 1980 from the University of Kansas and completed a two year post-doctoral fellowship in Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr. Rapoff is currently Ralph L. Smith (Distinguished) Professor of Pediatrics, Vice-Chair for Research/Scholarship and Faculty Development, and Chief of the Behavioral Pediatrics division in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr. Rapoff is a licensed psychologist in Kansas and Missouri and is listed in the National Registry of Health Service Providers in Psychology. His research interests over the past 27 years has focused on psychosocial issues affecting children and adolescents with chronic diseases, including adherence to medical regimens, pain, and psychosocial adjustment. He has been funded by NIH and Maternal and Child Health to evaluate strategies for improving adherence to medical regimens for children with asthma and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and by the Arthritis Foundation for evaluating a cognitive-behavioral pain management program for children and adolescents with JRA. Dr. Rapoff has 74 publications in journals or books, including a single-authored book published in 1999 on pediatric medical adherence (Adherence to Pediatric Medical Regimens, New York: Kluwer/Plenum). In 2003, Dr. Rapoff received the Distinguished Scholar Award from the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, a division of the American College of Rheumatology, in recognition of outstanding rheumatology scholarship. Also in 2003, Dr. Rapoff was elected as a Fellow in the Society of Pediatric Psychology, Division 54 of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Rapoff is currently funded by NIH to evaluate the efficacy of a computer-based CD-ROM program (Headstrong) for treating chronic headaches in children. In addition to his research, Dr. Rapoff trains clinical psychology students in health psychology and pediatric psychology and teaches residents and medical students. He also sees patients 1½ days per week in his Behavioral Pediatrics Outreach Clinics in Lawrence and Prairie Village, Kansas. |
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