Euro-Global Summit on
Autism Research and Awareness

March 23-24, 2026 |   Berlin, Germany
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Scientific Program Schedule

09:00 AM

Knut Moller
Knut Moller

Furtwangen University, Germany

ETAP: First results on game-based social training for ASD

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A prototype for a trainings system was developed comprising 1. An interactive, scalable game, displaying different communication scenarios 2. A sensor system, to measure heart rate variability, Electro Dermal Activity, Eye tracking and facial videos to estimate emotional changes, attention and stress, and 3. A controller to decide how the game is parameterized e.g. concerning the complexity of the scene display, amplitude of background noise, number of actors involved. A first pilot study in a pure feedforward mode was conducted with neurotypical and ASD subjects (10 and 30 subjects) at the Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the University Hospital of Freiburg. Some fundamental tests were conducted first to understand the individual level of interaction capabilities and to acquire a base level of physiological signals and eye tracking. In the second part of the experiments the subjects had to navigate through a number of game scenes while body reactions and attention shifts are documented. The presentation will cover the setup of the experiments, first results on differences of neurotypical and ASD test subjects, interindividual variations in physiological responses to different game parameterizations. A follow up study is in preparation to address pre-/post effects and differences in trainings efficiency compared to current therapist guided group therapy as the standard of care. Keywords: ASD, Computer based Training, Individual trainings adjustment, stress and attention monitoring.

K. Möller received the M.S. and PhD degrees in computer science and the M.S. degree in medical science from the University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany, in 1986, 1991, and 1996, respectively. From 1991 to 1997, he was an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at Bonn University, Bonn, Germany, where he was involved in the fields of machine learning, robotics, and image processing. In 1998, he became a professor for medical informatics at Furtwangen University, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany, where currently he is the director of the Institute for Technical Medicine (ITeM). Chairman of the Research Cluster “Connected Health in Medical Mountains (CoHMed)" and “Von Haast Research Fellow” of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Since 2020 Prof. Möller has been an adjunct professor at the University of Canterbury, NZ, and an associate professor at the Technical Faculty of the University of Freiburg, DE. His research interests include AI, machine learning, decision support systems, modeling, and signal analysis with the application to diverse medical fields like, e.g., lung protective mechanical ventilation, EIT imaging, and context-aware surgical systems.

10:20 AM

Thomas Iland, CHPC, AS
Thomas Iland, CHPC, AS

Come To Life Coaching, Ireland

My glass is full: Stories of putting mental health first

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Hear from THOMAS ILAND, an autistic self-advocate, as he shares his stories of accepting his diagnosis, navigating social situations and family dynamics, and making difficult decisions as he transitioned to adulthood on both personal and professional levels. From learning how to establish and enforce boundaries to bouncing back from multiple failures, Thomas brings his experience and expertise as the only Toastmasters International Accredited Speaker in the world to this presentation, leaving audiences educated and empowered.
This presentation is intended for teens and young adults on the autism spectrum as well as their families and caregivers. Service providers and researchers are also encouraged to attend.
Keywords: Self-advocacy, Family Dynamics, Relationships, Mental Health

Thomas Iland (pronounced like “island”) was diagnosed with autism at 13 years old. Since accepting his diagnosis, Thomas has been recognized as an award-winning, bestselling author and thought leader. He left his career as a certified public accountant in 2015 to become a keynote speaker, certified human potential coach, and diversity, equity & inclusion consultant. He is the owner of Come To Life Coaching where he empowers his clients to live the life of their choice. Thomas has spoken at the United Nations, gave a TEDx talk titled, “How To Come To Life,” and is one of only 95 Toastmasters International Accredited Speakers in the world and the only person on the autism spectrum to achieve this designation. Thomas lives in Dublin, Ireland, with his wife, Rosetta, and recently broke his own Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest person with autism to finish a full Ironman triathlon!

11:15 AM

Magdalena Cubala Kucharska
Magdalena Cubala Kucharska

Arcana Institute, Poland

Test

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Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are highly prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and may significantly influence behavioral regulation, communication, and adaptive functioning. Current pediatric guidelines emphasize that untreated GI pathology in ASD may present primarily through behavioral symptoms rather than typical gastrointestinal complaints. Objective: To assess changes in Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) scores and GI symptom burden in children with ASD following pathogen-targeted gastrointestinal treatment. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 21 children with ASD and coexisting GI symptoms (mean age: 5.0 years). ASD symptom severity was evaluated using ATEC before and after treatment. Diagnostic work-up included stool analyses and serological testing; infections with Campylobacter spp., Yersinia spp., and Toxoplasma gondii were confirmed serologically in all relevant cases