The Bloorview Research Institute is proud to announce its inaugural Lifetime Award in Pediatric Disability Research, to be presented annually to exceptional researchers whose vision, mentorship and dedication have significantly advanced pediatric disability research and positively impacted the lives of children across the country.

The award recognizes researchers whose groundbreaking work and innovations extend far beyond academia, creating meaningful and lasting impacts in the everyday lives of children with disabilities. Recipients are celebrated not only for their scientific achievements but for their role in inspiring future generations of researchers, clinicians and families through leadership and advocacy.

Honouring Dr. Isabel Smith

The first recipient of this prestigious honour is Dr. Isabel Smith, professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Dalhousie University and a leading researcher through the IWK’s Autism Research Centre in Halifax. Dr. Smith, a clinical-developmental psychologist and recently retired Joan and Jack Craig Chair in Autism Research, has dedicated her extensive career to advancing our understanding and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental disabilities in children and youth.

Throughout her career, Dr. Smith’s research has encompassed extensive longitudinal studies tracking the developmental trajectories of children with autism and their families. Her influential work examining the effectiveness of Nova Scotia’s unique model of early behavioural intervention for preschoolers with ASD since the program’s inception in 2005 has directly informed best practices and policies within Canada and internationally.

Dr. Smith has been a core member of the Canadian ‘Pathways in ASD’ collaboration for more than 25 years, also significantly contributing to the Canada-wide ‘Infant Sibling Study’. Her influential contributions have deepened our understanding of the diverse developmental trajectories of autistic individuals, highlighting their unique strengths from early childhood through young adulthood.

Dr. Smith played a pivotal role in the development and evaluation of intervention approaches and supports for autistic children. This included a 20-year research collaboration with Nova Scotia’s public early intervention service, involving the wide-scale implementation and evaluation of a community-based early intervention program known as Pivotal Response Treatment. True to her commitment to evidence-based care, Dr. Smith led a rigorous, collaborative and objective direct comparison of programs across two provinces—the first study of its kind in Canada—which led to significant practice changes nationwide.

Dr. Smith has consistently championed evidence-based approaches in the identification, diagnosis and treatment of autism. Her advocacy and professional expertise have shaped provincial and national frameworks, contributing significantly to improvements in care delivery, support structures and accessibility of services for children with ASD and their families.

Dr. Smith also led critical evaluations of mental health treatments for autistic youth, including an international collaboration on the "Facing Your Fears" anxiety program. Her work established evidence supporting this treatment’s applicability across diverse communities, providing a foundation for subsequent initiatives focused on the mental health needs of autistic youth in Canada.

Visionary leadership and impactful mentorship

Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, vice president of research and director of the Bloorview Research Institute, underscored Dr. Smith’s influential contributions: 

“Dr. Isabel Smith is a visionary leader whose research has significantly advanced our understanding of autism and positively influenced how we support children and youth with disabilities. Her dedication to evidence-based practice, combined with her compassion and unwavering commitment to improving real-world outcomes, makes her a profoundly deserving recipient of this inaugural award.”

Beyond her extensive contributions to scientific discovery, Dr. Smith’s legacy also lies in her mentorship and professional guidance to countless emerging clinicians and scientists.  She has influenced a generation of autism researchers across Canada, fostering an environment committed to innovation, empathy and genuine improvements in quality of life for families.

Widely respected as a compassionate clinician and influential mentor, Dr. Smith consistently highlights her deep appreciation for working closely with public-sector clinicians, particularly across the Maritime provinces, advocating tirelessly for evidence-based, accessible care.

Dr. Jessica Brian, psychologist, senior clinician scientist, and co-lead of the Autism Research Centre at Holland Bloorview, spoke highly of Dr. Smith’s leadership and mentoring:

“Isabel’s mentorship has shaped an entire generation of autism researchers and clinicians across Canada. Her collaborative spirit, deep commitment to rigorous and impactful research, and advocacy for meaningful change have left a lasting legacy in our field. It is truly fitting that she is honoured with the first Lifetime Award in Pediatric Disability Research from the Bloorview Research Institute.”

Upon accepting the inaugural Lifetime Award in Pediatric Disability Research at the event “Research and clinical considerations for minimally/non-verbal individuals: transdiagnostic perspectives” hosted by the Bloorview Research Institute on April 24, Dr. Isabel Smith reflected with gratitude:

“I am deeply appreciative and honoured by this award, all the more so because I’m aware of the wonderful work of others in this field in Canada. I feel incredibly fortunate to work with such generous colleagues. It has also been my privilege to learn so much over the years from autistic individuals and their families, especially those I met as young children whose adult paths I could never have predicted. This ever-evolving field keeps researchers humble, which is as it should be!”

This annual award by the Bloorview Research Institute will continue recognizing outstanding researchers whose lifelong contributions in pediatric disability research profoundly impact the lives of children, families and communities across the world.