AAIDD Psychology Interest Network

🎉 Join Us for PIN's Networking & Awards Reception!

Are you attending the AAIDD Annual Conference? Don't miss the Psychology Interest Network (PIN) Networking & Awards Reception Dinner!

📍Mercat a la Planxa (a short walk from the conference hotel)*
📅 Monday, June 22, 2026
🕖7:30 PM – 10:30 PM

✨ Celebrate Excellence: We're honoring this year's recipients of the prestigious **Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Award** and the **PIN Scholarship**—recognize outstanding contributions to our community!

🤝 Network, Connect & Grow: Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this is the perfect chance to build meaningful relationships with colleagues, students, and like-minded professionals in the field.

💰 Pricing:
- Students: $50
- Non-Students: $70

⏰Registration Deadline: June 19, 2026

REGISTER NOW https://forms.gle/t6xhe3sBMmrHgXh8A

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate, connect, and grow with PIN!

PIN Networking and Awards Reception Dinner Registration The Psychology Interest Network (PIN) invites members and conference attendees to join us for a networking and awards reception dinner during the AAIDD Annual Conference. This event provides an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues, students, and professionals in the field. We will also r...

Congratulations to current PIN member and former PIN chair, Holly Hohmeister, on being named a fellow of AAIDD!

Please join us in congratulating Holly Hohmeister, on being named one of AAIDD’s newest Fellows! This honor recognizes her meritorious contributions to the field and continuous, active membership in the Association.

Join us in celebrating an incredible achievement! 🎉

Congratulations to Dr. Mark Salzer on being honored with the 2026 Wolf Wolfensberger Award, sponsored by the AAIDD Psychology Interest Network. This prestigious recognition highlights Dr. Salzer’s outstanding contributions to advancing inclusion, community participation, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Dr. Salzer is a licensed psychologist and Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Temple University’s Barnett College of Public Health. He also serves as Principal Investigator and Director of the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities, a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center funded since 2003.

He earned his bachelor’s degree with distinction in sociology and psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, followed by his M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical/community psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, and completed his predoctoral clinical fellowship at the Yale University School of Medicine.

Inspired by the work of Wolf Wolfensberger, Dr. Salzer’s research has emphasized the vital importance of valued social roles—such as employment, education, relationships, leisure, faith, and volunteerism—for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other disabilities. His work has deepened our understanding of community participation as a key driver of health and well-being, even framing it as a medical necessity.

Through developing and evaluating innovative interventions, and more recently collaborating on autistic-delivered peer support models, Dr. Salzer continues to expand opportunities for meaningful inclusion and mobility.

Please join us in recognizing Dr. Salzer’s impactful career and this well-deserved honor! 👏

Impact happens when knowledge becomes action.

Elevate Your Impact Virtual Conference is dedicated to turning research into real-world change — equipping clinicians and professionals with evidence-based tools and strategies they can apply immediately.

In 2025, Elevate Your Impact welcomed 740+ attendees from 8 countries and awarded 3,600+ CEUs to professionals across the field.

In 2026, we’re building on that momentum — continuing to translate research into practical strategies that drive meaningful outcomes and improve overall wellbeing.

Elevate Your Impact: Evidence in Action - 2026 Overview Discover "Elevate Your Impact: Evidence in Action," a virtual conference (March 12-13, 2026) by Catalight, focused on practical research strategies for autism and intellectual developmental disabilities.

🌟 Call for Nominations: Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Award 🌟

Nomination Form Link in Comments
Closing Date 2/27

The Psychology Interest Network (PIN) is seeking nominations for a mental health or psychology professional whose work reflects exceptional courage, justice, and a deep commitment to the dignity of people with developmental disabilities.

This award honors individuals whose advocacy, research, clinical practice, or activism embodies the legacy of Dr. Wolf Wolfensberger—a pioneer of Social Role Valorization and a fearless advocate for the belief that all people have value. Courage, in this context, means standing up for the rights of others, even in the face of adversity or professional risk.

✨ Eligibility:
• Mental health and psychology professionals
• Nominees do not need to be members of AAIDD or PIN

✨ Selection Criteria:
• Courageous action in pursuit of justice
• Commitment to social inclusion for people with developmental disabilities
• Opposition to discriminatory and oppressive practices
• Respect for the voices of people with disabilities and their families

📣 Help us recognize courage in our field.
Nominate someone who exemplifies the values and bravery of Wolf Wolfensberger—and please share!

We are so thrilled to share this exciting panel, which includes Dr. Tim Barksdale, the recipient of the 2023 AAIDD Psychology Interest Network Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Award. This will be an incredible discussion from the panelists!

Join us on September 9, 2025, for our “Effective Strategies to Increase Disability Awareness in Medical Education” webinar!

Register Now! https://bit.ly/414rERU

Great work opportunity for colleagues in TX!

Baylor University is seeking a Program Manager to lead and coordinate the implementation of the Raising Texas Voices project.

Learn more and apply today! https://bit.ly/4mpzlut

"Mindfulness and Psychoeducation Are Associated With Improved Perceived and Physiological Health Outcomes in Caregivers of Children With Autism"

Read it now! https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-130.4.280