I guess I don't really know wut to tell most support players for their efforts.. For awhile i was thanking supports every game that bought a sightstone.. But honestly, i shouldn't have to.. Its not like we have to say "thanks Velkoz for building ap" or "thanks ashe for building damage"... its what the role does... and if you light up the map like a x-mas tree, you've done your job, and no1 can bitch.. if you arnt placing wards though, even in shitty spots is better than none at all when you are behind.. then ofc sm1 is going to call you out.. You arn't immune to criticism just cuz ur playing support.. Again, I respect all lanes and roles equally for their contribution for the team.. I don't really have a "special treatment" for support or any other lane.. Support players just tend to hold a double standard more than other roles, thats my only issue.
Edit: I'd also say the enemy team is generally the first to give you the extra recognition you are looking for.. if your ADC is fed and the end game chat is blowing up, sm1 is bound to point out that they are only fed cuz X support carried them.
Or, "holy shit my team wouldn't focus soraka" or... "jesus that jana was so annoying i couldn't even touch the adc" or "my god that alistar wouldnt die even though he was in the middle of all 5 of us, fucking broken" ...or......."jesus why does support brand do so much goddamn damage"
... Think you get the picture.. Supports prob get more recognition than they even notice.