Pelham receives Distinguished Scientist Award


The Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology (SSCP) has awarded William E. Pelham, professor of psychology and director of FIU’s Center for Children and Families, the Distinguished Scientist Award for 2012.

The annual award is given to individuals who have made important career contributions to the science of clinical psychology. Pelham will be honored May 25 during a conference hosted by the Association for Psychological Science in Chicago.

William E. Pelham, Jr.

“I’m incredibly honored to receive this award, and am somewhat surprised,” Pelham said. “Since my undergraduate years, I’ve studied the work of past recipients, and it’s very humbling to be part of such a distinguished group.”

Pelham specializes in the assessment and treatment of children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). His Summer Treatment Program, which is being offered in three locations throughout South Florida this year, has been recognized by the American Psychological Association and CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) as a model program.

According to an announcement issued by SSCP President Varda Shoham, Pelham was selected as this year’s awardee because his career-long contributions to the treatment of children with ADHD have been significant, cutting-edge and socially important.

Pelham has authored or co-authored nearly 300 professional papers focused on ADHD, and has been named as one of the top 10 among the country’s 1,900 academic clinical psychologists in peer-reviewed publications.

Pelham is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Society, and past president of the Society of Child Clinical and Adolescent Psychology, the International Society for Research in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, and the Professional Group for Attention Deficit and Related Disorders. He is a past recipient of the CHADD Hall of Fame award and the Society of Child Clinical and Adolescent Psychology’s Career Achievement Award.

Since 1966, the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology promotes the integration of the scientist and the practitioner in training, research and applied endeavors. Its members represent a diversity of interests and theoretical orientations across clinical psychology. SSCP has organizational affiliations with both the American Psychological Association (Section III of Division 12) and the Association for Psychological Science.