Each year, the BACB honors an individual with the Michael Hemingway Behavior Analysis Award to commemorate the life and contributions of Michael Hemingway, who played a central role in the development of behavior analyst certification in Florida before serving as a founding member of the BACB Board of Directors. Michael’s commitment to the ABA profession and to increasing access to services is reflected in the behavior of the individual who receives the award named in his honor.
We are pleased to announce that the 2026 recipient of the Michael Hemingway Behavior Analysis Award is Mike Wasmer, DVM, DACVIM, Chief Operating Officer of the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP). Mike is the father of a child with autism and has been a leading force in public policy advocacy within the applied behavior analysis (ABA) profession for nearly two decades. During his tenure on the Autism Speaks State Government Affairs team, he played a pivotal role in advancing public policy initiatives that expanded insurance coverage for autism treatment (including ABA) across multiple states. These efforts have substantially increased access to evidence-based care for thousands of individuals with autism and their families.
In addition to his work on insurance reform, Mike has been instrumental in supporting legislative initiatives to establish behavior analyst licensure in numerous states, both during his time at Autism Speaks and later at CASP. In his current role at CASP, Mike continues his public policy advocacy while also leading the organization’s internal operations and strategic initiatives. Through this work, he supports the provider organizations that deliver critical services to consumers and serve as the professional environments in which many behavior analysts carry out their important work. We are grateful to Mike for his many important contributions, which greatly benefit our profession and the clients we serve. Thank you, Mike!