NEW YORK — A North Country–based organization is helping New York City educators better understand autism as classrooms see a rise in diagnosed students.

Don Mesibov, director of the Institute for Learning Center Education’s Autism Initiative, led a workshop Nov. 24 for 44 educators in Special Education District 8. District Director Joseph Weaver requested the training, saying the district has seen “double the number” of newly diagnosed students in the past year and is losing new teachers who lack autism training.

A second session that afternoon drew 27 paraprofessionals, Mesibov said. He added that administrators from other New York City districts have expressed interest in hosting the same workshop.

Co-director Jennifer Townsend, who runs her own organization in Wisconsin, and Connor Newcombe, 26, of Potsdam, also presented. Both participated via Zoom. Newcombe, who is on the autism spectrum, read poems about his experiences growing up with autism.

Participants reviewed a list of “20 tips” for working with autistic students. Mesibov said the strategies are “easy to understand” but often unfamiliar to educators. He said post-session evaluations were positive, with many attendees citing Newcombe’s poems and the tips as especially helpful.

In the photo, participants discuss two videos shown during the training. Mesibov said the workshops are designed to be highly interactive because research shows people learn best when actively engaged.