As the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) continues to increase, the question of appropriate education in the least restrictive environment is a high priority for parents and teachers. . Although the spectrum encompasses a wide range of autistic disorders, the individual needs of these students – both functional and high-achieving – determine the appropriate educational placement and related services provided. To address the specific needs of higher-functioning students with autism spectrum disorders, the New York Department of Education developed an inclusion program to "...help children with autism spectrum disorders learn to function well academically, behaviorally, and socially at school and at school. their community. » (NYU Steinhardt, 2014) As a collaborative effort between New York University, the New York City Department of Education, and Hunter College, the ASD Nest program was designed to address to the growing number of high-functioning autistic students attending New York City public schools. .As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder has increased significantly, to approximately 1 in 68 children. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014 ) To address this growing phenomenon, educators at the New York City Department of Education – the nation's largest public school district – conducted a study of the growing number of high-functioning children with ASD. higher. attending New York City public schools. "Led by District 15 Superintendent Carmen Farina, with support from Dorothy Siegel and Shirley Cohen, the group studied the National Research Council representative's research findings...... middle of article... ...cation, and about 8,000 of them were classified as autistic. Many students with this identification are in lower grades, and it is very likely that a significant number of other students have not been identified as having ASD because they are higher functioning. (Cohen & Hough, 2013) As the number of children diagnosed with ASD continues to rise and the search for answers remains unclear, the ASD Nest program has, according to recent research, effectively provided children, parents and teachers an educational approach that targets the specific needs of children with high-functioning autism. As the ASD Nest program continues to grow in the New York area, more and more children with this diagnosis will receive the appropriate support to enable these children to thrive both within their schools and their communities..