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Staff Picture   Patricia Kurtz, Ph.D.
Director of Neurobehavioral Outpatient Services, Kennedy Krieger Institute

Dr. Patricia Kurtz is the Director of Neurobehavioral Outpatient Services in Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Department of Behavioral Psychology. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Biographical Sketch:

Dr. Kurtz received her Ph.D. degree in Psychology from The Claremont Graduate School in 1991. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Behavioral Psychology and Pediatrics at Kennedy Krieger Institute and The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In additional to her current appointments at Kennedy Krieger and Johns Hopkins, Dr. Kurtz has an adjunct appointment in Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Dr. Kurtz is a licensed psychologist in the state of Maryland. She is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis and the Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis.

Research Summary:

Dr. Kurtz’s research has focused on the assessment and treatment of self-injurious behavior, aggression, and other severe behavior problems exhibited by individuals with developmental disabilities. This includes the development of intensive behavioral treatment approaches for problem behavior, as well as evaluation of generalization of treatment effects and long-term outcome following inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Dr. Kurtz’s primary research interest is the emergence of self-injurious behavior in infants and children. Current studies focus on identification of risk factors associated with the onset and persistence of self-injurious behavior in young children; provision of early behavioral treatment for self-injury; development of early intervention and prevention models for severe behavior disorders; and development of education and training programs for parents and professionals.

Recent Publications/Presentations:

Kurtz, P.F., & Chin, M.D. (2004). Assessment and treatment of ventilator tube disconnection exhibited by a toddler. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 16 (2), 151-161.

Paclawskyj, D.R., Kurtz, P.F., & O’Connor, J.T. (2004). Functional assessment of problem behaviors in adults with mental retardation. Behavior Modification, 28 (5), 649-667.

Kurtz, P. F., Chin, M. D., Huete, J. M., Tarbox, R. S. F., O’Connor, J. T., Paclawskyj, T. R. and Rush, K. S. (2003). Functional analysis and treatment of self-injurious behavior in young children: A summary of 30 cases. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 6, 205-219.

Hagopian, L.P., Rush, K.S., Richman, D.M., Kurtz, P.F., Contrucci, S.A. & Crosland, K. (2002). The development and application of individualized levels systems for the treatment of severe problem behavior. Behavior Therapy, 33, 65-86.

O’Connor, J.T., Sorensen-Burnworth, R.J., Fisher, W.W., Kurtz, P.F., Henry, J.R., Fahs-Clark, A. (2002). Classroom based functional analysis of destructive behavior. Proven Practice, 4, 77-81.


Contact Information:

Patricia F. Kurtz, Ph.D.

Director, Neurobehavioral Unit Outpatient Clinic
Kennedy Krieger Institute

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

707 North Broadway, Baltimore MD 21205
(map & directions)

Telephone: 443-923-2894
Facsimile: 443-923-2835
Email: kurtz@kennedykrieger.org


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