Presidential Address A Developmental History of the Society of Pediatric Psychology1

Presented history of the field of pediatric psychology in general and, more specifically, the development of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. Review began with 1896 concepts of Lightner Witmer and followed with I960 activities by Logan Wright which led to the formation of the Society. The developmental phases of the Society are described with respect to goals, publications, financial status, training issues, and awards established. Present activities of liaisons with numerous outside organizations and agencies and regional conferences are detailed. KEY WORDS: Society of Pediatric Psychology; pediatric psychology; historical aspects of APA. On the occasion of the Society of Pediatric Psychology's 21st birthday celebra-tion, which was held at the American Psychological Association Convention in New Orleans in August 1989, as President I had the privilege of reflecting on the Society's history as SPP prepared to move into its adulthood. As there has certainly been a parallel of the Society's growth with that of the normal develop-mental lines of the human being, I elected to follow this developmental approach in delineating the Society's struggles and successes over the years