Since 2003, the New York City Department of Education has developed

Since 2003, the New York
City Department of
Education has developed
ASD programs in
community schools,
currently encompassing
more than 50 locations
and serving more than 750
children on the autism
spectrum.
The ASD Nest Program was
developed in collaboration with Hunter
College and New York University.
The ASD Horizon Program was developed in collaboration with the New
England Center for Children.
Both programs are supported by the
Division of Students with Disabilities and
English Language Learners:
Corinne Rello-Anselmi
Deputy Chancellor
Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD)
Programs
in Community Schools
Amy Jones
Chief Executive Officer, Professional
Development and Accountability
Loren Bohlen
Executive Director, Special Programs
Nancy Frost
Director, ASD Programs
“If children do not learn
the way we teach them,
then we must teach them
the way they learn.”
-author unknown
Diane Carnegie
Paula Magdalena
Jeanne Villani
Phyllis Weill
ASD Team
To inquire please contact:
Paul Byas
(718) 391–6872
pbyas@schools.nyc.gov
Community Based
Specialized Curricula
Family Involvement
Each ASD program is integrated into the
fabric of its community school.
In addition to the standard academic
curriculum:
Our goal is to provide support and a
therapeutic setting within a gradeappropriate academic environment.
Community schools with ASD programs
use positive behavioral supports to
promote pro-social behavior and learning.
ASD Nest
A strong home/school component
promotes ongoing communication
between school staff and family
members. This may include parent
workshops and trainings and sharing
of information and resources.
Nest
Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) classes serve
students with ASD and typically
developing students.
Nest classes use an integrated co-teaching
program model to support higher
functioning children with autism to
improve social interactions and academic
success. Students receive specialized
curricula including instructional strategies
provided to foster adaptive skills, sensory/
motor integration and language,
communication and relationship
development.
Horizon
Small class settings serve students with
autism.
Specially Trained Staff
Classroom teachers are trained in the
specialized curricula and instructional
strategies used in each ASD program.
Staff training is provided both pre- and
in-service.
Classroom staff and related service
personnel work collaboratively with
specially trained autism support staff to
provide individualized and targeted
interventions.
ASD Horizon/8:1+1
In our Horizon/8:1+1 classes, students
receive targeted instruction and utilize a
comprehensive curriculum aligned to the
core curriculum and based on the
principles of applied behavior analysis.
Collaborative problem-solving is used to
assess student needs and progress in all
programs. Staff meetings to co-plan and
conduct case conferences take place
regularly.
Collaborative planning meetings
enhance generalization of skills and
strategies taught in school. These
meetings take place periodically
during the school year and upon
family request.
Current and relevant topics are
presented in workshops throughout
the school year, provided and
facilitated by our university partners,
New York State technical assistance
centers, and our New York City ASD
Team. We welcome input on
upcoming events and topics.