ESSEA (Enhancing the Scientific Study of Early Autism) is a network of scientists from 22 countries, funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (EU-COST). One important goal of this network is to develop and advance novel methods for studying autism in young children and infants. It is essential for the scientific study of early autism that expertise in advanced methods for studying perception, cognition, and brain function is shared and broadened, that particular protocols are being developed that can be run at multiple sites and that data can be pooled. Technologies being used in the participating labs include electroencephalography (EEG), (live) eye-tracking, skin conductance responses and heart rate monitoring. This scientific panel will report on paradigm developments in Europe and will demonstrate their added value by providing new and compelling empirical findings in children with autism and in high-risk siblings. Implications for early autism research will be discussed.