EARLY-ASD Conference 2026
Diversity, Neurodiversity, and Digital Social Stories in Early Childhood Education
1 September 2026
Maria Grzegorzewska University (APS) & University of Warsaw (UW), Warsaw, Poland
We are pleased to announce the EARLY-ASD Conference, co-organized by Maria Grzegorzewska University (APS) and the University of Warsaw (UW). This international event brings together researchers, educators, preservice teachers, in-service teachers, students,
practitioners, parents, NGOs, policymakers, and social and medical professionals to share knowledge and explore innovative approaches to supporting young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through early intervention, inclusive practices, and digital social stories.
The conference builds on the EARLY-ASD project, an Erasmus+ initiative focused on upskilling preservice and early-career teachers to work effectively with children aged 3–7 with ASD. By combining expertise from education research, psychology, and educational
technology, EARLY-ASD develops practical, evidence-based tools and resources to enhance inclusive education and foster the social-emotional development of children on the spectrum.
The conference also provides a platform for sharing and disseminating best practices in teacher education and professional development.
Topics for Discussion and Submission
We invite contributions addressing the following themes, including but not limited to:
- Inclusive education and good practice examples based on EARLY-ASD project results, including strategies for training and mentoring preservice teachers
- Pedagogical strategies for supporting neurodiverse children in early childhood
- Digital social stories to foster social-emotional competencies in children with ASD
- Innovative methods for early diagnosis, intervention, and assessment
- Family support and collaboration with caregivers
- Cross-sector and community-based approaches, including social work with neurodiverse populations
- Supporting children with ASD in diverse contexts, including multicultural, migration, and forced displacement settings
- Diversity, neurodiversity, and language in early childhood education
Conference Participants will Benefit From
- Plenary sessions with international and national experts
- Parallel sessions showcasing inclusive practices, mentoring and support for preservice teachers, family engagement, and innovative digital tools
- Workshops and presentations demonstrating the use of digital social stories and presenting key results and resources developed by the EARLY-ASD project
- Opportunities to engage with project outputs, including hands-on demonstrations and case studies
- Networking opportunities with researchers, educators, preservice teachers, parents, NGOs, policymakers, and other stakeholders
- Access to open digital materials, including project resources, presentations, and recordings
- A strong commitment to sustainability and accessibility, including eco-friendly materials, sign language interpretation, live captions, and fully accessible spaces
Participation
Participants can join the conference either as presenters (oral presentations, workshops, or poster sessions) or as attendees to engage with the program and EARLY-ASD project outputs.
Presenters
Please submit abstracts (max. 300 words) by clicking on the button below to access the registration link.
Attendees
You are welcome to register to attend sessions, workshops, and
networking activities without submitting an abstract. Please register by clicking on the button below.
Key Dates
10.03.2026
The deadline for abstract submission for prospetive speakers
10.05.2026
Notification of acceptance and conference programme
30.06.2026
Deadline for the registration of participants without presentations
01.09.2026
Conference day
Join us in Warsaw to advance research and practice in early autism education, strengthen the competencies of preservice teachers, promote neurodiversity, and explore the innovative use of digital social stories for fostering social-emotional skills in young children. Selected papers will be included in a post-conference publication and accompanying online materials.
Conference organizers

Maria Grzegorzewska University (APS)

University of Warsaw (UW)
Conference Partners

ISA RC25 (International Sociological Association Research Council on Language and Society)

PTP O. Warszawa (Polish Educational Research Association, Warsaw Branch)

International Korczak Association,

UNESCO Janusz Korczak Chair - Maria Grzegorzewska University (APS)

Universitatea din Bucuresti
(UNIBUC, Romania)

Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM, Spain)

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi (ÇOMÜ, Türkiye)

Mellis Eğitim Teknoloji Ticaret Limited Şirketi (MELLIS, Türkiye)

Student Physiotherapy Science Club at APS, Doctoral School at APS.
Scientific Committee
Committee Chairs:
Prof. dr hab. Joanna Madalińska-Michalak, UW
Prof. dr hab. Anna Odrowąż-Coates, APS
Members:
Poland – APS / UW
Dr hab. Danuta Uryga, prof. APS, Vice-Rector for Development, APS
Dr Agnieszka Siedler, APS
Dr Ewa Odachowska-Rogalska, APS
Dr Krystyna Heland-Kurzak, APS
Dr hab. Błażej Kmieciak, prof. APS, APS
Prof. dr hab. Grzegorz Szumski, UW
Prof. dr hab. Joanna Smogorzewska, UW
Dr hab. Agnieszka Wołowicz, Vice-Dean for Research and Academic Affairs, UW
Spain
Prof Dr Jover Gonzalo, Complutense University, Madrid
Dr Laura Camas, Complutense University, Madrid
Turkey
Prof Dr Mustafa Yunus Eryaman, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University
Dr Sinan Kalkan, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University
Caner Anda, Mellis Educational Technologies
Elif Anda, Mellis Educational Technologies
Romania
Dr Elena Marin, University of Bucharest
Dr Florentina Ionela Linca, University of Bucharest
International Associations
Prof. Keiji Fujiyoshi, RC25 ISA, Japan
Prof. Frida Petersson, RC25 ISA, Sweden
Organizing Committee
Committee Chairs
Dr Agnieszka Siedler,
Dr Ewa Odachowska-Rogalska
Committee Secretaries
Jan Gierzyński, APS,
Nigora Mamadaminova, UW
Members
Prof. dr hab. Joanna Madalińska-Michalak, UW
Prof. dr hab. Anna Odrowąż-Coates, APS
Dr Krystyna Heland-Kurzak, APS
Dr hab. Błażej Kmieciak, prof. APS, APS
Volunteers from:
Student Physiotherapy Science Club at APS: Chair Ewa Odrowąż-Coates
Doctoral School’s Students Unions at APS: Chair Izabela Pawłowska
