ADHD2023 Awards

CHADD Lifetime Achievement Award

This program recognizes those who have a depth of knowledge of ADHD and who strive to raise the standards of how ADHD is assessed and treated. These individuals display a high level of ethics and professionalism, integrity, exhibit excellence in judgement, and have an interpersonal working relationship with individuals, families and professionals affected by ADHD.

Max Wiznitzer, MD

Max Wiznitzer, MD, is a pediatric neurologist and interim chief of Pediatric Neurology in the Neurologic Institute at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. He is a Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He completed a pediatrics residency and a fellowship in developmental disorders at Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, and a fellowship in pediatric neurology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. He completed his postdoctoral training as a National Institutes of Health National Research fellow in higher cortical functions at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, N.Y. His special interests include attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, developmental and behavioral disorders, and pediatric neurology. Dr. Wiznitzer earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School.

CHADD Hall of Fame Award

This program recognizes those who demonstrate an outstanding and significant service to support CHADD's mission either through research or practice. Their contributions can include but are not limited to such areas as public policy, medicine, psychology and education.

Ari Tuckman, PsyD, CST, MBA

Ari Tuckman, PsyD, MBA has volunteered for CHADD since 2000 when he ran the adult support group for Northern Virginia CHADD. Since then, he ran the teen support group for Chester County/Mainline CHADD, served on the board for CHADD National, and is on the spokesperson team. He has been involved in the conference committee since 2010 and has been a co-chair since 2015. He has been a psychologist in private practice since 1999, first in McLean, VA and now in West Chester, PA, seeing kids, teens, adults, and couples. He is a popular speaker and has given more than 600 presentations and podcast interviews, across America and internationally. In addition to multiple articles for Attention and ADDitude, he is the author of four books: ADHD After Dark; Understand Your Brain, Get More Done; More Attention, Less Deficit; and Integrative Treatment for Adult ADHD. As an expert in ADHD, he has been widely quoted in national media, such as The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and many others. As busy as he is, he loves what he does and who he does it with.

CHADD Young Scientist Research Award

This program recognizes researchers new to the ADHD field who are making contributions to the understanding of ADHD.

Zoe R. Smith, PhD

Trauma experiences and associations with functional outcomes for Black and/or Latine adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Zoe R. Smith, PhD, is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at Loyola University Chicago. She earned her PhD in clinical psychology, with a concentration in child and adolescent psychology, from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2020, under the mentorship of Dr. Joshua Langberg. She completed her clinical internship at University of Chicago Medicine and postdoctoral fellowship with Grayson Holmbeck, PhD. Dr. Smith is part of the inaugural class of the Health Equity Scholars for Action, and her research focuses on creating and providing culturally responsive mental health services for Black and/or Latina/e/o (Latine) adolescents with ADHD. Her current Robert Wood Johnson-funded project, “Culturally Responsive Assessments for Teens (CRAFT)” provides free psychodiagnostic assessments for Black and/or Latine adolescents with suspected ADHD in the Chicagoland area. This project includes teen and parent advisory boards, where one learns about the intersectionality of having ADHD and discrimination experienced by families. Dr. Smith’s team, along with community partners, focuses on increasing awareness of bias in ADHD diagnosis, increasing health equity models of mental health services, creating culturally responsive assessments and interventions, and serving Black and/or Latine families with ADHD. This work also seeks to increase public mental health services in the Chicagoland area through advocacy-based research.

Jess N. Smith, MS

Transdiagnostic Mechanisms of Youth Externalizing Psychopathology from Childhood to Adolescence: A Longitudinal Person-Centered Approach

Jess N. Smith, MS, is a doctoral candidate in the clinical science in child and adolescent psychology program at Florida International University. She received her bachelor of arts in psychology from Ohio University and her master of science in psychology from FIU. Her dissertation and research submission for this award, funded by an NIH National Research Service Award fellowship, is titled "Transdiagnostic Mechanisms of Youth Externalizing Psychopathology from Childhood to Adolescence: A Longitudinal Person-Centered Approach." This project will consider the symptoms of ADHD and disruptive behavior problems that tend to co-occur and how these symptomatic groups change over time. It will also consider predictors (such as cognitive and emotional functioning) and outcomes (such as academic/social impairment, substance use) of these groups and common pathways between groups over time. More broadly, her program of research is focused on the measurement of cognitive functioning as well as the potential causes of ADHD's diverse presentation and its high rate of co-occurrence with related disorders in youth. The long-term goal is that this work may improve assessment and intervention efforts.

CHADD Educator of the Year Award

This program recognizes exemplary educators throughout the United States who through their influence improve the lives of students with ADHD.

Tanya Beyer

The 2023 CHADD Educator of the Year is Tanya Beyer, a special education teacher, consultant, and Section 504 coordinator at Redding Elementary School in Redding, Connecticut. She collaborates with colleagues and parents to help children with ADHD maximize their potential by identifying challenges, developing solutions, and providing support. She helps people understand how to better support students with ADHD, and encourages these children to excel. Beyer was a critical team member in the formation of the Junior Bridge program at Redding Elementary School. The program empowers students with ADHD through access to educators and support staff, tools to regulate, and a place for team members to coordinate. It also allows younger children with ADHD the opportunity to develop strategies earlier in their school career, a critical time to promote engagement with learning.

CHADD Chapter of the Year

This program recognizes an outstanding CHADD chapter who has made exceptional contributions to the CHADD community, and in their community, during the duration of their involvement with CHADD. This chapter continues to strive to provide outstanding support and use CHADD resources to create a safe environment for chapter members and volunteers.

Left to Right: Denisa Aitonean, Beth Bardeen, Jessica Hespelt

CHADD of Seattle

Founded just one year ago, CHADD of Seattle is rapidly making a difference to the ADHD community it serves in the metro Seattle area. The chapter’s excellent programs and rapid growth are due largely to Beth Bardeen, the founder and co-coordinator. She is a full-time advocate consultant for adults newly diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism who brings more than forty years of executive-level management in the tech industry to bridge the gap between neurodiverse individuals and the world we live in. When she learned about CHADD’s chapter system, she knew the power of CHADD could help build what she was looking for in Seattle. In November 2022, Jessica Hespelt became co-coordinator and leader of the parents’ support group, bringing unique expertise as a former master educator of middle schoolers in the Seattle Schools. Jessica is an ADHD coach for kids and their families, which makes her a natural in connecting with the Seattle CHADD parents.

Over the past eighteen months, the chapter has held close to 48 meetings, serving 70 paid members, approximately 225 meeting attendees, and 573 subscribers, and answering 235 emails and/or requests for support. Its programs engaged twelve speakers to address seventeen topics important to the ADHD community. Examples include: 30-Second Activism for ADHD, Back to School Success Strategies, How to Work with an ADHD Coach, Money and Emotions, Strategies for the Neurodiverse Living in a Neurotypical World, Finding Free Support from Local Government, ADHD & Organization for Families, ADHD and Nutrition, Diagnosis and ADHD Medications—and many more. With all they’ve accomplished during their first year, the future looks brilliant for this active and growing dynamo of a chapter!

CHADD Volunteer of the Year

This program recognizes an outstanding local volunteer who has made exceptional contributions to the CHADD community, and in their community, during the duration of their involvement with CHADD.

Chrissy Mathis

Chrissy has been on the board of BuxMont CHADD since May 2018 and the Programming Coordinator since 2019. She joined CHADD after her eldest son’s ADHD diagnosis in order to educate herself and become a better advocate for him. Less than a year later she received her own formal diagnosis. She brings this experience as both a parent of a child with ADHD and adult with a late diagnosis to help others manage the disorder.

She lives in Warminster, Pennsylvania with her husband, three children, and three dogs.

ACO Professional Excellence Award

Cameron Gott

Cameron Gott is a catalyst, quietly propelling the profession of ADHD coaching forward with innovation, collaboration, and an unyielding dedication to excellence. In addition to successfully managing his coaching business, Cameron is devoted to empowering fellow coaches, guiding them to define their impactful presence in the coaching landscape. He constantly shapes the profession by developing teaching programs and models that seamlessly adapt to the evolving understanding of ADHD. His collaborative efforts with Denslow Brown resulted in the creation of Coach Approach Training. His instructional footprint can also be traced in various ADHD coaching training schools, where he imparts his expertise in teaching and cultivating trainer talent.

Recognizing the need to broaden the reach of ADHD coaching, Cameron took a proactive approach. Teaming up with Asher Collins, he launched the Translating ADHD Podcast, a platform dedicated to educating the public about the benefits of coaching while expanding its presence into new communities and platforms. His commitment to enhancing the quality of ADHD coaching is reflected in his mantra: "If you want a coaching practice, you have to practice coaching!"

ACO Extraordinary Volunteer Service Award

Jane Mcmaster

Jane McMaster left an indelible mark on the ACO community, and her posthumous receipt of the Volunteer Award stands as a testament to her profound impact. Jane's journey was tragically cut short by a brief battle with cancer, and her passing on August 17, 2023, has left an irreplaceable void in our hearts. Her warmth, infectious smile, and unwavering dedication were sources of inspiration for her fellow coaches and clients alike.

What set Jane apart was her commitment to personal excellence and her insatiable thirst for ongoing learning. Recognizing the power of knowledge-sharing, Jane collaborated with an exceptional team to bring ACO's Coaching Enrichment Series to life—a testament to her passion for continuous growth and her desire to uplift the coaching community. Her contributions to ACO were not just noteworthy; they were profoundly impactful and will remain etched in the organization.