This well-researched and evidence-based program was formulated in response to the severe shortage of educational programs designed for higher functioning school-age children with ASD, which often leads to inappropriate placement, and a lack of supports...all of which inevitably results in poor educational experiences. The program uses a positive behavior support approach and incorporates strategies that address areas of difficulties common in autistic children, specifically sensory functioning, social relatedness, self-regulation, managing anxiety, and selective cognitive problems.

This program helps children function comfortably and successfully in mainstream settings in their schools and communities, whenever feasible, with decreased need for professional support.

The original book, the ASD Nest Model, published by AAPC Press in 2013, presented the model from

conception in 2001 through development and implementation in 2012. It established the foundation of the Nest program from which the current model evolved. The second edition covers the entire period of 20 plus years from conception to the present, showcasing the evolution of the model over that period. The change in title for the second edition from "The ASD Nest Model" to "The Autism Nest Model," is representative of the evolution not only of language but also the understanding and practice that the new edition reflects.

The second edition has three parts. Part One highlights the foundational strategies and supports of the model during its first ten years, including the partnership between the New
York City Public Schools and the Nest program. Part Two describes the ongoing development and evolution of the program across the following 10 years, with a focus on neurodiversity-affirming practices, including what has been learned from the experiences and expertise of the autistic advocate community and changes in the field. Part Three presents challenges to scaling the model, and considerations for responding to those challenges, while highlighting the outstanding successes of the program across two decades.

The Autism Nest Model - heftet, Engelsk, 2025