We are honoured to invite you to the 37th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD) in combination with the 4th Triennial Meeting of the International Alliance of Academies of Childhood-onset Disability (IAACD). The Scientific Committee and the Family, User and Stakeholders Committee together with the German Supporting Network invite you to this rare occasion of a world-wide meeting to submit abstracts for
The Pre-Conference will run from Monday 23rd, Tuesday 24th until Wednesday 25th of June, 2025.
The Main-Conference will take place from Wednesday evening 25th, Thursday 26th, Friday 27th until Saturday 28th of June, 2025 early afternoon.
In addition, there will be a 2×12 hour virtual live track during European night time from Thursday 26th to Friday 27th and from Friday 27th to Saturday 28th June, 2025. This allows active and live participation for the online audience across all global time zones.
The conference language will be English. Some tracks will be translated into German, or will be in German.
We welcome your submissions until June 16, 2024.
Be part of this leading international multi- and interdisciplinary scientific congress on childhood-onset disability.
Take advantage of the rare occasion of a real-world congress meeting: a joint meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability in combination with the International Alliance of Academies of Childhood-onset Disability (EACD-IAACD 2025).
Earn international awareness and recognition for your scientific work.
Boost your career while participating in the Mac Keith Press Best Abstract Award, EACD Best Poster Award, the EACD Early Career Researchers’ Award, the EACD Technology & Innovation Award and the Nestlé Clinical Research Award.
Receive feedback on your research and clinical practice.
Make the connections you need and network with well-known international partners according to our conference motto “Developing networks – networks for development”.
Call for Focused Symposia/Instructional Seminars, Mini-Symposia/Instructional Courses and Pre-conference Symposia/Pre-conference Focused Symposia Courses and Pre-conference Instructional Seminars: 11.03.2024 – 16.06.2024.
Call for Orals / Posters: 08.07.2024 – 13.10.2024.
Further information concerning the orals and poster submissions will be available by June.
In general, the perspective and engagement of parents, caregivers, patients, people with lived experience should be considered. Besides submissions from high-income countries, we want to encourage submissions from low- and middle- income countries in order to increase the diversity of this global congress meeting.
Limitation of abstract submissions: In general, there is no limit to the number of abstracts an individual may submit. Please note that the scientific committee may limit the number of “lead presentations” for one individual.
Language: Abstracts must be submitted in English, and presentations must be given in English (except for the German speaking sessions).
Language style: Abstracts should be submitted in “people-first” language and avoid potentially pejorative terms, such as “wheel-chair bound”, “afflicted”, or any other terms that may be deemed insensitive to persons with disabilities (http://rtcil.org/products/media).
Consenting of all authors: co-authors should have consented, read and approved the abstract and its final content. After submission further changes cannot be accepted. The work has to be original to the authors.
Conflict of interest: Abstracts must be unbiased and conflicts of interest must be disclosed. Papers that are written in a manner that promotes a company, service, or product will not be accepted. Each author listed on the abstract is required to complete a Conflict-of-Interest statement, which is located in the “COI” section of the submission site.
Approval by ethics committee: all research involving human subjects or animals must to be approved by the appropriate ethical review authorities and conducted in accordance with current ethical standards and regulations in biomedical and clinical research.
Preferred type of presentation: Submitting authors should select a preferred type of presentation (Focused Symposia or Instructional Seminars – 90 minutes, Mini Symposia or Instructional courses – 60 Minutes) in the online submission platform. The final decision on allocation format, will be made by the Scientific Committee and its Reviewing Panel.
Detailed expectations for each submission type are outlined below.
Feedback on acceptance: will occur 5 to 8 weeks after the submission deadline. Please keep in mind that you will then have to register fee-based latest within 4 weeks after acceptance (Early-bird registration). Submissions for the online lectures will require a fee-based registration for the online conference.
Submissions Pre-conference Symposia, Focused Symposia, Mini-Symposia, Instructional Seminars and Courses, are welcomed over a wide range of conditions.
| A | Cerebral Palsy and other central motor disorders (genetic, early acquired) |
| B | Neuromuscular and peripheral motor disorders (genetic, early acquired) |
| C | CNS injury & malformations |
| D | Neurometabolic disorders |
| E | Epilepsy |
| F | Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and cerebral lesions due to other neurotoxic or due to nutritional conditions |
| G | Infections or inflammatory conditions |
| H | Complex Disabilities due to Genetic Conditions |
| I | Complex Disabilities due to other Rare Conditions |
| J | Disabilities due to genetic or early acquired disorders of sensory systems (vision, hearing, other) |
| K | Disorders of intellectual development |
| L | Developmental learning disorder (reading, mathematics, written expression etc.) |
| M | Developmental speech and language disorders |
| N | Developmental Coordination Disorder |
| O | Autism Spectrum Disorders |
| P | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder |
| Q | Spinal Cord malformation |
| R | Multimorbidity |
| S | Not related to specific disorders |
Pre-Conference Symposia/Courses:
before the congress meeting (Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday) delivered as:
Main Conference Meeting Session Formats
(onsite and online main congress during Thursday, Friday or Saturday) delivered as:
Conditions: Pre-conference Symposia can only be delivered onsite. The number of pre-symposium meetings is limited, so that very attractive themes of general interest should be proposed. Pre-Conference Symposia can only be booked with the main congress. Indicate whether your Pre-Conference Symposium is co-sponsored with another participating (professional) society. Hand-outs are recommended. Handouts submitted electronically prior to the meeting will be included on the conference website.
Aim: Submissions must have following goals:
Selection criteria: Importance to the IAACD-EACD and people with disability. Methodological quality, novelty, originality, evidence-based, interdisciplinarity and stakeholder/family/caregiver/person with lived experience involvement, international involvement (multi-country, multi-continent is desirable).
Structure: Chair with 3 to 6 speakers per 90 minutes.
Note: Half day Symposia will be 2 X 90 minutes. Full Day Symposia will be 4 X 90 minutes.
Abstract Structure of Pre-Conference symposia:
There is a strict 3,000 characters, including spaces, which will be imposed on the length of the body of the abstract.
You must include:
List all presenters/authors and their contribution:
Names of all presenters, qualification (to provide interdisciplinarity), profession (academic, family/user, stakeholder, industrial), location (institution / country).
Conditions: Instructional Seminars can only be delivered onsite. The number of pre-symposium meetings is limited, so that very attractive themes of general interest should be proposed. Instructional Seminars can only be booked with the main congress. Indicate whether your Instructional Seminars is co-sponsored with another participating (professional) society. Hand-outs are recommended. Handouts submitted electronically prior to the meeting will be included on the conference website.
Aim: Submissions must have following goals:
Structure: Chair with 3 to 6 speakers per 90 minutes.
Abstract Structure of Instructional Seminars:
There is a strict 3,000 characters, including spaces, which will be imposed on the length of the body of the abstract.
You must include:
List all presenters/authors and their contribution:
Names of all presenters, qualification (to provide interdisciplinarity), profession (academic, family/user, stakeholder, industrial), location (institution / country).
Focused Symposium: delivered onsite as 90 minute Symposia
Aim: Focused symposia allow multiple presenters to share their perspectives on a specific topic in depth with audience discussion to help solve problems, drive innovation and improvement. Symposia that include presenters from different countries in high and low resource settings are encouraged to highlight the variability in practice or research knowledge in varying contexts. If two symposia are proposed on a similar topic, the conference committee may encourage joining of symposia.
Submission: by the Chair (required) of the symposium. The chair can also serve as one of the presenters and/or discussant and provide leadership throughout the session.
Main Title: be descriptive indicating the main theme/ purpose.
Structure: Chair with 3-6 Presenter/s (required) and/or Discussant (optional) per 90 minutes.
Abstract Structure of Focused Symposia:
There is a strict 3,000 characters, including spaces, which will be imposed on the length of the body of the abstract.
You must include:
List all presenters/authors and their contribution:
Names of all presenters, qualification (to provide interdisciplinarity), profession (academic, family/user, stakeholder, industrial), location (institution / country).
Selection criteria: methodological quality, novelty, originality, evidence-based, interdisciplinarity and stakeholder/caregiver/P.W.L.E. involvement, international involvement (multi-country is desirable). A plan for audience participation/interaction is highly desirable.
Handouts are desirable for any Focused Symposia. Handouts submitted electronically prior to the meeting will be included on the website. Prior permission must be obtained to duplicate copyrighted materials. Additional instructions for submitting handouts will be sent to presenters prior to the annual meeting.
Mini-Symposia: delivered on-site as 60 minute Symposia
Aim: Mini-symposia are key sessions that allow multiple presenters to share their perspectives on the same topic with a short-time for discussions with the audience to help solve problems, drive innovation and improvement. The aim of a mini-symposium session is to provide an update on a specific topic. Mini-Symposia generally involve 1 Chair and a maximum of 3-4 speakers. This 60-minute interactive session should include approximately 45 minutes for presentation of material and 15 minutes of interactive discussion with attendees. The content of sessions should be current, applicable and balanced and supported by best available evidence. Symposia may be more didactic compared to Instructional Workshops.
Selection criteria: Importance to the IAACD-EACD and people with disability. Methodological quality, novelty, evidence-based, interdisciplinarity and international involvement.
Your session should include the following:
1. Content should be current, evidence based, practical, applicable, and balanced.
2. Provide questions to encourage participation in the 15-minute interactive portion of your session. Please consider carefully how you will engage conference attendees who may be online and in person at the conference venue.
Submission: by the Chair of the symposium.
Structure: Chair and 2 to 4 speakers per 60 minutes.
Main Title: of Mini Symposia including purpose/main theme.
Abstract Structure of Mini-Symposia:
There is a strict 3,000 characters, including spaces, which will be imposed on the length of the body of the abstract.
You must include:
List all presenters/authors and their contribution:
Names of all presenters, qualification (to provide interdisciplinarity), profession (academic, family/user, stakeholder, industrial), location (institution / country).
Handouts are desirable for Mini-Symposia. Handouts submitted electronically prior to the meeting will be included on the website. Prior permission must be obtained to duplicate copyrighted materials. Additional instructions for submitting handouts will be sent to presenters prior to the annual meeting.
SPECIAL ONLINE LIVE-PRESENTATION during European evening / night time (7pm to 7am CET)
Online Mini-Symposia: delivered online as 60min Mini-Symposia: It is planned to deliver a 12h virtual night track during congress time on Thursday 26th June / Friday 27th of June and Friday 27th / Saturday 28th of June. Mini-symposia may be delivered virtually live during European evening / night time, 7pm to 7am CET (=daytime in other world regions). Please consider shorter presentation and longer interaction time during virtual meetings.
Structure: 2 to 3 speakers per 60 min, allow 15 minutes for interaction.
Otherwise submission guidelines for Night Track Online Mini-Symposia are the same as Mini-Symposia onsite.
Instructional Seminar: are on-site during main congress meeting (90 Minutes).
Aim: Instructional Seminars provide formal in-depth and comprehensive instructions/training (including Learning Objectives, demonstration of cases or practical exercises) for continuing professional education combined with audience participation and interaction. Instructional Seminars have 3 to 6 instructors addressing a focused theme or method with appeal to a targeted audience. Examples are practical management of a clinical problem, new assessments, investigations, techniques, interventions, treatments, Clinical Reasoning of cases etc. Instructional Seminar content should be current, evidence-based, practical, applicable and balanced.
Selection criteria: methodological quality, novelty, originality, evidence-based, interdisciplinarity and stakeholder/family/caregiver/user Involvement, international involvement (multi-country, multi-continent is desirable).
Style: The most positively evaluated courses are those which encourage audience participation in a variety of ways throughout the session (15 to 30 min). Please consider carefully how you will engage conference attendees who may be online and in person at the conference venue. We encourage you to prepare questions/learning objectives or activities to engage participants in the interactive portion of your session.
Submission: by the chair
Structure: chair with 3-6 speakers in 90 Minutes.
Main Title: indicating main topic of the Instructional Seminar.
Abstract Structure of Instructional Seminar: There is a strict 3,000 characters, including spaces, which will be imposed on the length of the body of the abstract.
You must include:
List all presenters/authors and their contribution:
Names of all presenters, qualification (to provide interdisciplinarity), profession (academic, family/user, stakeholder, industrial), location (institution / country).
Selection criteria: methodological quality, novelty, originality, evidence-based, interdisciplinarity and stakeholder/family/caregiver/user Involvement, international involvement (multi-country, multi-continent is desirable).
Style: The most positively evaluated courses are those which encourage audience participation in a variety of ways throughout the session. Please consider carefully how you will engage conference attendees who may be online and in person at the conference venue.
A plan for audience participation (10 to 15 min) should be included in the schedule. We encourage you to prepare questions/learning objectives or activities to engage participants in the interactive portion of your session.
Prepared background materials (handouts, references) are required. Handouts submitted electronically prior to the meeting will be included on the website. Prior permission must be obtained to duplicate copyrighted materials. Instructions on submitting handouts will be sent to presenters and posted.
Instructional Course: delivered onsite during main congress meeting (60 Minutes):
Aim: Instructional Courses provide more focused instruction for continuing professional education combined with audience participation, but less interaction (compared to Instructional Seminars). Instructional Courses have 2 to 4 instructors addressing a focused theme or method with appeal to a targeted audience. Examples are new assessments, investigations, techniques or treatments. The courses should be current, evidence-based, practical, applicable and balanced.
Submission: by the chair
Structure: Chair with 2-4 speakers in 60 Minutes.
Main Title: indicating main topic of the Instructional Course.
Abstract Structure of Instructional Course: Maximum of 3.000 characters in total.
You must include:
List all presenters/authors and their contribution:
Names of all presenters, qualification (to provide interdisciplinarity), profession (academic, family/user, stakeholder, industrial), location (institution / country).
Selection criteria: methodological quality, novelty, originality, evidence-based, interdisciplinarity and stakeholder/family/caregiver/user Involvement, international involvement (multi-country, multi-continent is desirable).
Style: The most positively evaluated courses are those which encourage audience participation in a variety of ways throughout the session. Please consider carefully how you will engage conference attendees who may be online and in person at the conference venue.
A plan for audience participation (10 to 15 min) should be included in the schedule. We encourage you to prepare questions/learning objectives or activities to engage participants in the interactive portion of your session.
Prepared background materials (handouts, references) are required. Handouts submitted electronically prior to the meeting will be included on the website. Prior permission must be obtained to duplicate copyrighted materials. Instructions on submitting handouts will be sent to presenters and posted.
Online Instructional Course: delivered online as 60 min Course.
It is planned to deliver a 12h virtual night track during European evening / nighttime, 7pm to 7am CET (=daytime in other world regions) Thursday 26th June / Friday 27th of June and Friday 27th / Saturday 28th of June.
Please consider shorter presentation and longer interaction time in virtual meetings.
Structure: 2 to 3 speakers per 60 minutes, allow 20 minutes for interaction.
Otherwise same guidelines for Instructional courses onsite.
Language: all formats should be in English. It is possible that we will have some sessions in German language. Please indicate at the Tickbox “only in German possible” if are only able to present in German.
We will be glad to assist you if you have any questions:
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