Wadeson was an Honorary Life Member (HLM) of the American Art Therapy Association, the profession's highest honor, and won numerous awards, including a first prize for art from the Smithsonian Institution, a Distinguished Faculty award from Northwestern University, a first prize for research from the American Art Therapy Association, the Benjamin Rush Bronze Medal Award from the American Psychiatric Association, and a Resolution of Commendation from the Illinois State Legislature. In addition to holding many offices on the American Art Therapy Association Executive Board, she has been Associate Editor of Art Therapy, Journal of the American Art Therapy Association.