Nest Program

NYC Department of Education Nest Program

The Nest Program is a partnership between the NYC DOE and New York University’s Nest Support Project. 

The Nest Program is a full-time inclusion program (ICT) that starts in Kindergarten, in neighborhood schools, and expands to each grade thereafter.  The goal of the program is to help autistic students succeed in mainstream settings in their school and community.  The Nest Model is a fully inclusive therapeutic environment designed for autistic students who are able to do grade level academic work when provided with the necessary support. The necessary structures of the model are a smaller class size, co-taught classes and regular interdisciplinary meetings to promote consistency across all settings. 

Nest students have average to above average intelligence and academic achievement on or above grade level. Students can work independently and in small groups with minimal support.   The classes follow the same NYC Curriculum as all DOE schools.  Nest class teachers are trained in specialized strategies for students with autism, including a special social curriculum called Social Development Intervention (SDI) developed by NYU. SDI is an evidence-based program that supports social-emotional development.  On-going professional development is offered through workshops and on-site support. The classes utilize a positive behavior approach across all settings including lunch.

Schools are selected for this program based on being identified as exhibiting caring and welcoming attitudes with strong collaborative structures.  The district is committed to the successful implementation of this model and supplies funding as well as a collaborative relationship with university-based autism experts which provides the school with consistent training and on-site support for Nest staff. All students are met at their individual learning style and levels with flexibility for remediation and enrichment. The program is currently in 76 NYC community elementary, middle, and high schools.  The program has been so successful the Aarhus, Denmark school system is working with the Nest Support Project to replicate the program.