The ASD Nest Model: A Framework for Inclusive Education for Higher Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Cohen (special education, Hunter College, City U. of New York), who co-developed the ASD Nest program for New York City public schools, and Hough, a coaching consultant for the ASD Nest Support Project at New York U., offer a guide to this public school program aimed at higher-functioning students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Along with other US education specialists and school psychologists involved in the program, they describe its development to meet the needs of students who are inappropriately placed or receive a lack of supports, and how it helps them function in mainstream settings through reduced class size, co-teaching, targeted goal areas, intervention strategies, a transdisciplinary team approach, preservice training for teachers, ongoing site support, discipline-specific inservice workshops, and home-school connections. They detail the characteristics of these students, admissions criteria, and the admission process and evaluation protocol; the role of collaboration; the use of a three-tier model for intervention, classroom strategies and supports, and Positive Behavior Support; social development, sensory-based, and academic interventions; professional development for staff; challenges to implementation and lessons learned; and outcomes and future perspectives. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Shirley Cohen, PhD, a professor in the Department of Special Education at Hunter College of the City University of New York for many years, became Professor Emeritus in 2011. In her role at Hunter College, Dr. Cohen co-developed the ASD Nest program for the New York City public schools with Dorothy Siegel of New York University, and continues to serve as a consultant and intervention developer for the program. She is the author of the book Targeting Autism, originally published in 1998 and since 2006 in its third edition, as well as two earlier books on disability: Special People (1977) and Respite Care (1985). She is also a coauthor of Everyday Classroom Strategies and Practices for Supporting Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders (AAPC Publishing).

Lauren Hough, MsEd, is the coaching consultant for the ASD Nest Support Project at New York University s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. In this role, she provides professional development workshops, school-based consultation, and seminars on meeting the needs of school-aged students on the spectrum in inclusion settings. Prior to working as a consultant, Ms. Hough worked for five years as a special education teacher and school-based coach in the ASD Nest program. She is a coauthor of Everyday Classroom Strategies and Practices for Supporting Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders (AAPC Publishing).