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Dr. Keith Slifer is the Director of the Pediatric Psychology Consultation Service and Clinic, Department of Behavioral Psychology, at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Dr. Slifer is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Department of Pediatrics at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Biographical Sketch:
Dr. Slifer received his Bachelors Degree from Western Maryland College and continued his education at the University of Maryland Baltimore County for his Masters and Florida State University for his Ph.D. He did his internship at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in the Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Slifer has been a Research Assistant, Staff Therapist and Director of Training for the Department of Behavioral Psychology at Kennedy Krieger, before becoming Director of the Pediatric Psychology Clinic and Consultation Service in 1987.
Dr. Slifer is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis, the American Psychological Association, the Society of Pediatric Psychology and the Kennedy Krieger Institute Ethics Committee.
Research Summary:
Dr. Slifer is a trained child clinical psychologist with special interest in pediatric psychology and applied behavior analysis. His work focuses on conducting systematic behavioral assessment of children's distress during medical and rehabilitation procedures. Research by Dr. Slifer and his colleagues demonstrates methods for alleviating children's anxiety and distress associated with exposure to medical procedures and equipment. Principles of behavior and learning are used to teach children with developmental disabilities and/or chronic medical conditions (as well as their care givers) skills needed to cope with uncomfortable procedures and behavioral restrictions imposed by medical routines with decreased reliance on sedation. The effectiveness of these behavioral protocols is evaluated using Applied Behavior Analysis research methods. His current research activities include: behavioral training for pediatric neuroimaging without sedation, nonpharmacological approaches to pediatric acute procedural pain, and analysis and intervention for behavioral distress during neurorehabilitation. See related research study on Children Coping with Medical Procedures.
Recent Publications/Presentations:
Slifer, K.J., Amari, A., Diver T., Hilley, L., Beck, M., Kane, A. & McDonnell, S. (2004). Social Interaction patterns of children and adolescents with and without oral clefts during a videotaped analogue social encounter. The Cleft Palate - Craniofacial Journal, 41(2), 175-184.
Slifer, K.J., Beck, M., Amari, A., Diver, T., Hilley, L., Kane, A., & McDonnell, S. (2003). Self-concept and satisfaction with physical appearance in youth with and without oral clefts. Children's Health Care, 32(2), 81-101.
Koontz, K.L., Slifer, K.J., Cataldo, M.F. & Marcus, C.L. (2003). Improving pediatric compliance with positive airway pressure therapy: the impact of behavioral intervention. Sleep, 26(8), 1010, 1015.
Slifer, K.J., Diver, T., Amari, A., Cohn, J.F., Hilley, L., Beck, M., McDonnell, S. & Kane, A. (2003). Assessment of facial emotion encoding and decoding skills in children with and without oral clefts. Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, 31, 304-315. |
