The 2026 William D. Reynolds Award: Kelly Battle beck '08

For her leading work in mental health research and advocacy supporting neurodivergent youth and their families, Kelly Battle Beck ’08 was honored with the 2026 William D. Reynolds Award.

Beck has dedicated her life to improving the lives of people with disabilities. She competed on the Fighting Irish women's swimming team before sustaining a brain injury after her sophomore year—resulting in a lifelong disability that she manages today. That experience greatly shaped who she is today, leading her on the path to become a clinical scientist specializing in supporting people with developmental disabilities.

Now an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, Beck is internationally known for designing and disseminating mental health therapies to support autistic youth and adults. She is a key developer of the Emotion Awareness and Skills Enhancement (EASE) program—the first evidence-based mental health therapy designed for autistic youth with severe emotion dysregulation. She also leads research on trauma and suicide risk in autistic people, and trains thousands of providers every year to extend this work.  

In addition, Beck is the founder of the Schools Unified in Neurodiversity (SUN) Collaborative, where she partners directly with school districts to foster safe and supportive schools for children with developmental disabilities. The SUN™ Program teaches educators how to better understand and support their neurodivergent students, with the ultimate goal of creating safe, welcoming schools for all children.

Outside of work, Beck lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, two children, and dogs. She stays close to her Irish swimming roots as a youth and Special Olympics swim coach—embodying the spirit and mission of Notre Dame both in and out of the pool.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to the Alumni Association to receive the William D. Reynolds Award. Notre Dame carried me through one of the hardest periods of my life and instilled in me an unwavering commitment to serve others. This honor truly belongs to the autistic and neurodivergent children and families who let me into their lives, and to my incredible mentors, colleagues, educational partners, and community members who show up alongside me every day in our shared mission to make a better world for our children.”