WTAS
(Conference)
The Scientific Conference Autism Spectrum (WTAS) takes place annually. A wide range of scientific research is presented at the conference, including topics such as diagnostics, intervention, imaging and neuropsychology. The WTAS is attended each year by researchers, practitioners, people on the autism spectrum and their families.
The 17th WTAS will take place
in Heidelberg from March 12 to March 14, 2026.
At A GLANCE
I would like to cordially invite you to the 17th WTAS with the theme
“RETHINKING AUTISM 2.0! Prevalences, Differences, Diagnoses”
from March 12 to 14, 2026, in Heidelberg. We are pleased to offer you interesting keynote speeches, a broad range of contributions through posters, oral presentations, and workshops.
The 17th WTAS will take place as an in-person event.
Prof. Dr. Luise Poustka
(Conference President of the 17th WTAS)
At A GLANCE
I would like to cordially invite you to the 17th WTAS with the theme
“RETHINKING AUTISM 2.0! Prevalences, Differences, Diagnoses”
from March 12 to 14, 2026, in Heidelberg. We are pleased to offer you interesting keynote speeches, a broad range of contributions through posters, oral presentations, and workshops.
The 17th WTAS will take place as an in-person event.
Prof. Dr. Luise Poustka
(Conference President of the 17th WTAS)
Registration
Registration is required for participation in the WTAS. If you click on “Register here”, you will be redirected to our registration platform (ConfTool). There you will first create a user account and then register for the conference. We have prepared instructions to help you find your way around the registration platform. If you have any questions about registration, please contact us.
Registration is now open at ConfTool.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
As every year, in addition to keynote speeches and workshops, WTAS also offers young scientists the opportunity to present their latest research findings in short presentations or poster presentations.
Here you will find the flyer and preliminary program of this year’s conference. Changes are possible.
Overview of Fees
Below you will find an overview of the WTAS fees:
ABSTRACTS
You can present your current research results at WTAS as a poster and / or short talk. Papers will be accepted that are empirical work in the field of autism spectrum research or related relevant issues.
Abstract submissions for WTAS 2026 are now open until January 19, 2026.
Prizes & Awards
Travel grants
The WGAS awards travel grants to promote young academics. These include the waiver of the conference fee and the payment of a travel allowance.
Diversity Award
The WGAS presents the Diversity Award to honour people who have made exemplary contributions to the coexistence of people with and without autism.
Weber-Bosch-Award
With this award, the WGAS honours German-speaking young researchers who have made extraordinary and innovative achievements in autism research. The award-winning work will also be presented as a lecture at the WTAS.
Stiftung Irene Stipend
The Stiftung Irene awards a doctoral scholarship in cooperation with the WGAS. The doctoral scholarship is intended to support empirical doctoral theses on the topic of autism.
Poster awards
The WGAS awards excellent research in the field of autism research with a poster prize. The evaluation takes place during the poster exhibition at WTAS. Among other things, the evaluation takes into account the innovative content, impact and design of the poster.
Kanner-Asperger-Medal
The WGAS recognises national and international researchers who have made outstanding contributions to the field of autism over many years. The Society awards the Kanner-Asperger Medal every two years for such exceptional achievements.
Arrival
The WTAS 2026 and workshops will take place in Heidelberg:
Neue Universität
Grabengasse 3-5
69117 Heidelberg
You can also view the location on the map. If you click on “Directions to the conference”, you can display your way to the conference.
Hotel options
The hotels listed below have a block of rooms available for individual booking by participants of the 17th Scientific Conference Autism Spectrum under the keyword “WTAS2026.” The prices quoted were requested by us from the hotels and compiled to the best of our knowledge.
Please make your own room reservations using the email address provided and check the current booking and cancellation conditions. The WGAS acts solely as an intermediary and accepts no liability. Changes or cancellations must be made directly with the respective hotel.
As the number of reserved rooms is limited, we recommend booking early.
Sponsoring
The neutrality and independence of WGAS is always maintained in any form of sponsorship. Any form of influence by the sponsor on the content or strategic decisions of WGAS is excluded. The WGAS treats all donations from the sponsoring companies in a transparent manner and will provide information upon request. Organizers, speakers and the scientific management disclose their potential conflicts of interest to the participants and, upon request, to the State Medical Association. The contents of the WTAS and its workshops are designed to be product and/or service neutral.