The David Kaufer Podcast: The Lighter Side of the Spectrum

David Kaufer
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to “The Lighter Side of the Spectrum,” a podcast where we explore how to find joy, connection, and growth while navigating the challenges of parenting kids and teens on the autism spectrum. Hosted by David Kaufer, father of a 19-year-old non-speaking autistic son, this podcast offers a fresh, uplifting perspective on life with autism—focusing on the moments of triumph as well as the obstacles.David’s son was unable to communicate reliably until he was almost 17, when they discovered and began using the spelling methodology that profoundly changed his life. His inspiring journey from silence to communication serves as a beacon of hope for anyone needing encouragement in the autism community.In addition to sharing his personal experiences, David tackles broader issues, such as building inclusion into healthcare practices to ensure those on the spectrum receive compassionate, competent care. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or professional, join us for light-hearted discussions...

  1. 17h ago

    Mary Brown and the triumphs of her Non-Speaking Son

    David interviews Mary Brown, mother and communication partner of non-speaking autistic writer Woody Brown, whose debut novel Upward Bound (Hogarth) gained national attention and was a Read With Jenna pick. Mary recounts Woody’s early diagnosis at age two, low expectations from doctors, and her shift to assuming competence after seeing Soma Mukhopadhyay and Tito, leading to years of letterboard-based learning at home alongside therapies and public school special education. She describes advocacy for a high school diploma, a post-high-school crisis, and Woody’s community college success, where she ultimately served as his in-class support and built strategies for tests, papers, scheduling, and independence. Woody studied abroad at Oxford, transferred to UCLA (starting on Zoom during COVID), and began creative writing under Mona Simpson, developing Upward Bound and winning honors and writing prizes. At Columbia MFA, novelist Paul Beatty connected him with agent Sarah Chalfant (Wylie Agency), resulting in a two-book deal, and Mary addresses skepticism around his communication and a Today Show B-roll controversy, emphasizing apraxia, regulation needs, and routines including daily reading and meditation.   Topics 00:00 Meet Mary and Woody 03:07 Early Diagnosis and Low Expectations 05:17 Soma and the Turning Point 09:05 Learning the Letterboard at Home 10:27 Fighting for Diploma Track 14:19 After Graduation Panic 16:29 Community College Breakthrough 19:42 Disability Office and Testing Battles 28:14 Oxford Moment and Transfer Dreams 31:24 UCLA Zoom and Creative Writing 32:55 Mona Simpson Mentorship 35:49 Columbia Acceptance Call 37:12 Assume Intelligence 39:17 Apraxia Not IQ 40:23 Building Inner Life 41:52 Writer Emerges 43:16 Facing Naysayers 44:32 B-Roll Controversy 48:02 How He Types 53:18 Columbia Book Deal 57:39 College Prep Tips 01:10:04 Routines After School 01:12:11 Closing Thanks

    1h 14m

  2. May 22

    Kelley Colihan Robertson on Journalism, Unreliable Speaking & Text-Based Communication

    David welcomes guest Kelley Colihan Robertson, a former CNN journalist and documentary producer turned autism mom and communication rights advocate. Kelly shares her son Vance’s early signs, later autism diagnosis at age five, therapies, and difficult public-school experiences amid family stress after divorce. She describes newsroom life at CNN, how journalism shifted toward doing more with less and more punditry, and how autism coverage often reinforced assumptions about non-speaking people. Kelley recounts discovering text-based communication through Spelling to Communicate in Atlanta and her slow realization of unreliable speaking, anxiety and regulation during early practice, and the non-linear progress of communication. They discuss media skepticism and controversies around Woody Brown and an Amy Lutz New York Times op-ed, emphasizing the need to listen to nonspeakers. Kelly offers tips to slow down and presume competence, and they plan a future part two and possible autism news roundup.   Topics 00:40 Meet Kelley 03:28 Autism Journey Begins 05:10 Late Diagnosis Signs 08:29 School Struggles 10:28 Co Parenting Reality 13:44 Inside CNN Newsroom 18:40 Journalism Then Now 24:25 Autism Media Coverage 27:11 Discovering Letterboards 27:35 Writing the Book 32:50 Text Based Communication 34:01 Spelling vs Communication 35:00 Correcting and Letting Go 35:41 Parent Anxiety and Coaching 37:02 Regulation and Steady Support 38:38 Fluency Takes Time 40:04 Woody Brown Media Controversy 46:12 New York Times Op-Ed Critique 52:04 Centering Nonspeakers Voices 54:12 Schooling and Presuming Competence 57:26 Tip and Fact or Fiction 01:01:42 Wrap Up and Book Plans

    1h 3m

  3. May 22

    Scott Sherwood on Lily’s Voice, Spelling & the Exhaustion of Being Doubted

    David welcomes radiologist and author Scott Sherwood to discuss the exhaustion families feel when non-speaking autistic people’s intelligence, competence, and authorship are constantly questioned. Scott shares Lily’s early autism diagnosis, years of intensive therapies (including ABA and speech methods), and how flawed assumptions and motor demands in testing can misrepresent cognition, especially with apraxia/dyspraxia. He describes discovering RPM at age 12, later pursuing spelling-based communication supports, moving to Atlanta for a larger speller community, and using strategies focused on regulation and motor coaching. They critique skepticism around spelling/FC, shifting goalposts such as message-passing tests, underrepresentation of non-speakers in research, and systemic funding gatekeeping tied to ABA and professional organizations. In “Autism Fact or Fiction,” Scott challenges stereotypes about non-speakers lacking nuance, emphasizing their strong grasp of sarcasm and metaphor. Both end on hope: “sheer numbers” of spellers increasingly sharing their voices.   Topics 00:37 Meet Scott and Lily 04:26 Early Diagnosis and Therapies 06:44 ABA Doubts and Data 09:32 Apraxia and Research Gaps 13:33 Ten Years of ABA 16:54 Listening Without Looking 21:16 Discovering RPM Spelling 25:57 Training and Motor Loops 28:13 Moving to Atlanta for Support 29:37 Hand Over Hand vs FC 30:57 Fading Supports to Keyboard 31:17 Spelling Proof Double Standards 32:17 Autism Fact or Fiction 32:59 Non Speakers Get Sarcasm 34:13 Media Bias and Authorship Claims 37:49 ABA Power and Funding Gatekeepers 41:58 Seeing Spelling in Real Life 43:45 Testing Traps and Goalposts 50:24 Dyspraxia and Regulation Partners 52:34 Autistic Brain Wiring Explained 55:11 Hope Through Sheer Numbers 57:07 Final Takeaways and Wrap

    59 min

  4. May 15

    Autism News Update: the ‘Profound’ Label &, Communication Rights

    David and producer/co-host David Yas recap recent autism-community developments after Autism Acceptance Month, focusing on the new Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) meeting under HHS Secretary RFK Jr., who replaced prior members and appointed fewer autistic members overall, including non-speaking advocates Elizabeth Bonker and Caden Larson. The IACC discussed and passed a recommendation to recognize the term “profound autism” for high-support-needs autistic people, despite objections from Bonker and Larson and concerns that the label could reduce expectations, opportunities, and access to communication supports, especially given apraxia and evolving abilities. They question whether the term mainly redirects federal research funding toward causation rather than services and rights. The episode also highlights the New York State Communication Rights bill fight, featuring non-speaking advocates lobbying to remove amendments, and references a Nature survey showing widespread belief in unproven health claims, connecting misinformation to current political rhetoric around autism.   Topics 01:02 Monthly Recap Setup 02:18 IACC Meeting Explained 04:25 What Is Profound Autism 09:05 Label Risks and Timing 13:29 Apraxia and Support Needs 14:59 Vote and Advocate Pushback 18:27 Services vs Research Motives 20:32 Spectrum Labels and Levels 25:14 MAHA Influence and MAPS 26:55 Why RFK Focuses Here 27:10 Holistic Fix Narrative 28:23 RFK and MAHA Branding 30:14 Services Over Labels 31:03 Communication Rights Fight 34:30 Spelling Advocacy Momentum 39:46 Misinformation Survey Shock 42:26 Cult of Alternative Facts 45:36 RFK Autism Grift 48:45 Neurodiversity and Acceptance 51:15 Wrap Up and Next Steps

    52 min

  5. May 8

    Brooks Hamilton: Honoring Helen Keller’s Legacy & Communication Rights

    David welcomes Brooks Hamilton, Helen Keller’s great-grandniece, to discuss Keller’s legacy as a lesson about access, support, belief, and a path to communication, and why many nonspeakers are still doubted and denied communication. Brooks describes growing up with family stories of Helen’s communication methods and how that shaped her commitment to “go the extra mile” to connect with others. She shares how she once assumed nonspeakers were cognitively impaired based on what teachers and experts said, then had an “aha” moment learning about presuming competence, apraxia, spelling, and neuroplasticity, calling current practices a civil-rights issue. They compare Keller’s intensive supported learning with modern spelling-based communication, criticize ableist testing and “message passing” parallels, and discuss self-serving incentives in therapy. Brooks explains her volunteering in therapeutic recreation, learning motor coaching and co-regulation, pursuing communication-partner training, and advocating for New York’s Communication Rights bill.   Topics 00:37 Why Helen Keller Matters 01:33 Brooks Hamilton Intro 02:49 Growing Up With Legacy 04:26 Family Stories Of Helen 06:45 Presuming Competence Lesson 07:34 Unlearning Ableist Assumptions 10:21 Parallels With Stone 11:24 How Helen Learned Language 18:20 Ableism In Communication Testing 23:36 Becoming An Ally 27:38 Volunteering And Motor Coaching 31:26 Autism and Apraxia Gap 32:38 Prompting Double Standards 33:41 Training as Communication Partner 35:51 Why Training Matters 38:00 Accuracy and Patience 40:51 Spelling in Schools Logistics 42:37 New York Bill Fight 45:35 Helen Keller Legacy 47:45 Tip Presume Competence 50:18 Future Advocacy Plans 53:50 Fact or Fiction Segment 58:08 Family Support and Wrap

    1h 1m

  6. Apr 24

    Heather Burroughs on Presuming Competence & NY’s Communication Rights Bill

    David interviews Heather Burroughs, a school psychologist and advocate shaped by growing up with an autistic sister and later fighting for her non-speaking daughter Devin, who has a rare genetic condition. Heather recounts an eight-year federal court battle after a school district refused to allow Devin’s service dog as a reasonable accommodation, spending major resources to argue Devin lacked competency; media attention, including a billboard, helped draw Department of Justice involvement. She describes how traditional services like years of speech therapy failed to unlock communication, while motor-based spelling/letter boards revealed Devin’s complex language and preferences, underscoring the “non-speaking is non-thinking” myth. The conversation centers on New York’s Communication Rights Bill, its national ripple effects, and concerns that added language requiring “validation” and full independence would undermine access, including for people in group homes. Heather’s tip urges shifting IEP narratives from deficits to what’s possible with support.   Topics 00:38 Meet Heather Burroughs 03:21 Advocacy Roots 05:10 From Shy to Seen 07:22 Why Systems Must Change 08:57 The Service Dog Fight 11:16 Courtroom Pressure Tactics 13:52 Discovering Spelling 17:20 Why Communication Rights Matter 21:03 Billboard Advocacy 22:48 How the NY Bill Started 27:00 False Accusations Myth 32:33 Therapy Gaps and Discrimination 34:04 Systemic Bias and Big Business 36:52 Deficit Talk Trap 37:58 ABA Incentives Clash 39:10 Unlocking Communication 44:12 Dysregulation Coaching 45:31 Rights and Enforcement 47:40 Resources and Rallying 49:03 Tip Shift the Narrative 53:02 Fact or Fiction Myth 56:25 Parent Confession Target 01:01:54 High Note Breakthroughs 01:05:26 Closing Thanks and Fight

    1h 6m

  7. Apr 17

    Lori McIlwain,  founder and president of the National Autism Safety Council

    David welcomes Lori McIlwain,  founder and president of the National Autism Safety Council, to discuss autism safety with a focus on preventing harm while preserving dignity. Lori shares how her son’s repeated school elopements led her to collect fatality data, revealing distinct patterns including frequent drowning and a tendency to head toward nearby water, which informed “search water first” guidance and advocacy for national attention and policy change. They describe gaps then and now, including parent blame and arrests, law-enforcement policies that prioritize searching homes, and limited mental-health supports for higher-support-needs individuals, while highlighting simple, effective accommodations in care. Lori also addresses early suicide ideation, especially in autistic females, stresses daily mental check-ins, and emphasizes ongoing first-responder training. Her tip: define and communicate a child’s required supervision level across caregivers.    Resources are available at autismsafetycouncil.org and searchwaterfirst.org Contact David at david.kaufer@me.com   Topics 00:37 Why Autism Safety Matters 02:25 Lori Story Begins 04:07 Data And Drowning Pattern 06:28 Partnering With NCMEC 09:50 Resources And Policy Wins 11:57 Progress And Current Gaps 14:57 Beyond Elopement Risks 15:42 Talking Suicide Early 20:47 Girls Masking And Burnout 23:44 Therapy Access Gaps 25:50 Simple Clinical Accommodations 27:38 Trauma And Counseling Needs 28:25 Virtual Communication Support 29:20 Nervous System Sick Days 30:58 Safety With Dignity 35:05 First Responder Training Moments 37:08 Tip of the Week Supervision Levels 40:40 Community PSA What Do You See 45:34 Factor Fiction Parent Blame 50:50 Resources and Final Wrap

    55 min

  8. Apr 10

    Looking at Late Autism Diagnoses with Dr. Claire Jack

    David interviews Dr. Claire Jack, a psychologist, writer, and host of the Autistic Minds podcast, about identity, late diagnosis, masking, and burnout. Dr. Jack describes learning about autism in her late forties after a therapist suggested it following a meltdown, then researching, blogging, writing books, and attracting autistic clients. She reflects on childhood signs (intense imagination, shyness, migraines, sensory sensitivities) that were accommodated rather than recognized, and explains how diagnosis reframed lifelong struggles, reduced self-criticism, and helped her set boundaries and act on her own terms. They discuss why autism is often missed in girls and women, how masking includes hiding stimming and rehearsing social language, and how ABA-related pressures (e.g., forced eye contact) can be harmful. Dr. Jack notes that feeling different isn’t always autism and shares a tip on noticing early signs of emotional dysregulation to prevent meltdowns and reduce shame. She addresses menopause-related sensory and healthcare-communication challenges for autistic women, shares a “kidnapped bus” misunderstanding illustrating predictive processing, and David shares his nonspeaking son Stone’s letter advocating for inclusive poetry contest participation.   Email David at david.kaufer@hey.com Find Claire at https://www.autism-assessment-online.com/   Topics 00:38 Meet Dr Claire Jack 01:56 Late Autism Discovery 05:14 Childhood Signs Missed 07:56 Diagnosis Reframes Life 11:26 Why Adults Seek Answers 13:26 Autism in Women 16:48 What Masking Means 21:32 When Masking Exhausts 24:01 ABA and Eye Contact 26:09 Eye Contact Shifts 26:34 Feeling Different Debate 28:07 Self Diagnosis Pitfalls 29:27 Tip Emotional Regulation 34:26 Menopause Differences 37:41 Confession Bus Hijack 45:04 Light Spectrum Story 48:50 Final Advice Wrap Up

    51 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Welcome to “The Lighter Side of the Spectrum,” a podcast where we explore how to find joy, connection, and growth while navigating the challenges of parenting kids and teens on the autism spectrum. Hosted by David Kaufer, father of a 19-year-old non-speaking autistic son, this podcast offers a fresh, uplifting perspective on life with autism—focusing on the moments of triumph as well as the obstacles.David’s son was unable to communicate reliably until he was almost 17, when they discovered and began using the spelling methodology that profoundly changed his life. His inspiring journey from silence to communication serves as a beacon of hope for anyone needing encouragement in the autism community.In addition to sharing his personal experiences, David tackles broader issues, such as building inclusion into healthcare practices to ensure those on the spectrum receive compassionate, competent care. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or professional, join us for light-hearted discussions...

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