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NYU Metro Center’s Nest Support Project Creates Dynamic Online Publication to Expand Access to Neurodivergent Affirming Practices

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With more than twenty years of partnering with New York City’s Public Schools (NYCPS) to establish inclusive cultures and advance the development of educational practices for autistic learners, one could easily assume that after two decades of educational service, there would be nothing new that the Nest Support Project at NYU Metro Center could share with the world.

Fortunately for the more than 2,100 autistic students, as well as their 4,500 non-autistic classmates served by NYU’s Nest Support Project during the previous academic year, nothing could be further from the truth. Throughout Nest’s 20-year history, their commitment to innovation and the Nest model has proven to be an essential driver for success. NYU Nest Support Project Executive Director, Allison Graham Brown, explained that our efficacy [in uplifting] 413 fully inclusive classrooms relies on the continuous refinement of the Nest model: “...as new research emerges, as we learn from advocates, informed by our experience, and the [ever-evolving field of study]…to ensure that we remain on the forefront… and [serve as] an exemplar for inclusive education.”

Consistently being a leader in the field of inclusive education, the Nest Support Project team is regularly met with frequent inquiries and resource requests from families and educators alike. Executive Director Allison Graham Brown describes the Nest Support Project at NYU Metro Center this way,  

Image captures a headshot of Nest Support Project Executive Director, Allison Graham Brown.

“our work is primarily with school communities, and the few workshops that we offer specifically for individual educators to register for are for New York City Public School employees.”

While Nest does offer resources across social media channels, there was substantial interest in providing something more robust and detailed for individuals to take and use in their settings. 

Made possible by their high-caliber commitment to both innovation and service, NYU’s Nest Support Project decided to launch a new, free resource publication called The Nest Egg. The Nest Egg is designed to share best practices posted quarterly.

The Nest Egg is an online publication that will be available via WordPress. When asked about the format, NYU’s Nest Support Project Executive Director Allison Graham Brown explained that we thought, “... this format would be engaging and accessible for professionals looking for some quick tips–-while still centering the "why" behind the strategies.” This new Nest Support Project venture is being helmed by Nest Instructional Support Specialist Heather Clarke. Heather, who already possessed a great deal of experience in the publishing field, will serve as the editor-in-chief for the Nest Egg, largely being responsible for the tone, style, look, and feel of the publication. When asked about the Nest Support Project at NYU Metro Center’s newest publication, Heather stated that,

Image captures headshot of Nest Instructional Specialist, Heather Clarke

“I am very excited about the Nest Egg because it allows our Nest Team to bring our ideas around neurodivergent affirming practices and inclusive education to a larger audience.” 

Image captures the logo for the Nest Suppty Projects' logo

While the Nest Support Project at NYU Metro Center will continue to share inclusive educational resources via their website and social media platforms (on X, formerly TwitterInstagramFacebookPinterest, and LinkedIn), the Nest Egg promises to amplify autistic voices. NYU’s Nest Support Project Executive Director Allison Graham Brown envisions the Nest Egg “... as an opportunity to connect with individuals who are looking to make meaningful change in their individual practice and in their sphere of influence.” Finally, Nest Egg editor-in-chief Heather Clarke proclaimed, “... our publication is out there as a resource for school staff across the country and potentially the world, as the Metro Center and NYU are world-renowned institutions.”

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Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools

We commit to social justice and the amplification of youth, parents, and community voices

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