Division 33 Awarded Presidential Citation at APA meeting!
/Division 33 awarded Presidential Citation at APA meeting, February, 2026
Dr. Eric Butter, Division 33 Representative to APA Council of Representatives, was surprised by APA President Dr. Wendi Williams with a Presidential Citation for Division 33. She gave this award to Divisions 33, 22 (Rehabilitation psychology), and 25 (Applied Behavior Analysis) in recognition for our "dedication, expertise, and compassion ... serving patients with autism, their families and their caregivers have profoundly shaped our understanding of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and strengthened the support available to autistic individuals, their families and their communities. Through their education, research, clinical care, and professional leadership, these psychologists stand as steadfast advocates for dignity, accuracy, and evidence-based practice."
Our Division, the Executive Committee, and all of our members are honored by this recognition and everything we have done in 2025 to stand up for what is right and true and scientific and moral. Congratulations!
Full copy below:
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
Presents This Presidential Citation To
Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology), Division 25 (Behavior Analysis) and Division 33 (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorder) and Other Psychologists Serving Patients with Autism, Their families, and Their Caregivers.
The dedication, expertise, and compassion of APA Divisions 22, 25 and 33, and other psychologists serving patients with autism, their families and their caregivers have profoundly shaped our understanding of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and strengthened the support available to autistic individuals, their families, and their communities. Through their education, research, clinical care, and professional leadership, these psychologists stand as steadfast advocates for dignity, accuracy, and evidence-based practice.
For many years—and with particular intensity in 2025—false and unscientific narratives about the causes, characteristics, and life experiences of ASD have circulated widely. These misconceptions persist despite repeated efforts to correct them, and they inflict harm by deepening the stigma and barriers faced by individuals with ASD. In the face of this misinformation, psychologists in these divisions have remained resolute. They bring forward clear scientific evidence, illuminate the lived experiences of people with ASD, and help the public understand ASD with nuance, respect, and humanity.
Their work extends far beyond correcting myths. These psychologists provide essential insights into effective treatment and support, identify where research must continue to grow, and ensure that families and caregivers have access to reliable, compassionate guidance. Their leadership within APA has long served as APA’s “north star,” grounding the association’s positions in rigorous science and the real needs of the ASD community.
As federal and state policymakers develop new approaches to identification, screening, treatment, and long-term support, these divisions have offered APA indispensable clarity. Their recent analysis of proposed “blue envelope” legislation—intended to improve interactions between autistic individuals and law enforcement—demonstrates their thoughtful, evidence-driven approach to public policy. Their guidance ensures that APA advances policy and advocacy aligned with both scientific integrity and the lived realities of people with ASD.
For their unwavering leadership, their commitment to truth in the face of misinformation, and their profound dedication to improving the lives of individuals with ASD, APA proudly honors Divisions 22, 25, and 33 with this Presidential Citation.
Wendi S. Williams, PhD
President, American Psychological Association
February 2026