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...
The David Kaufer Podcast: The Lighter Side of the Spectrum
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Podcast Overview
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...
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
11/11/2024
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Recent Episodes
June 12, 2026
Beating the Odds: Zach’s Due Process Win Vs. Fairfax County Schools
David interviews advocate Elizabeth Zielinski and parent Jill Janson about Jill’s son Zach, a non-speaking speller, winning a due process hearing against Fairfax County Public Schools on every issue presented. After spelling was added to Zach’s IEP in middle school, the high school team delayed, obstructed, and failed to implement a trained, trusted communication partner, placing him in self-contained life-skills classes, denying electives and homework acceptance, and contributing to failing grades and school refusal. The family first prevailed in a Virginia Department of Education state complaint for failure to implement the IEP, but the district continued delaying corrective action and compensatory services. An IEE by an approved neuropsychologist using the letterboard documented exceptionally high abilities and supported placement in general education. After ESY registration and training commitments were mishandled, the family hired attorney Grace Kim and filed due process. Zach insisted on a public hearing to help other spellers, testified for hours, and the case became a public record emphasizing that non-speaking is not non-thinking and that communication access is essential. Tips include documenting early references to letterboards without branding demands, using FOIA, and careful written communication. Topics 00:39 Case Victory Overview 03:28 What Went Wrong 05:45 IEP Language Strategy 07:12 Intimidation Tactics 14:14 State Complaint Win 18:56 Freshman Year Fallout 21:02 Homework Rejected 23:30 Communication Demo Drama 27:39 Sophomore Year Stalling 30:44 ASHA Position Debate 34:45 Education vs Medical Lines 35:49 Deflating Expert Power 36:52 Emotional Rollercoaster 37:28 IEE Reveals Potential 41:09 Testing Trauma Story 44:42 ESY Breakdown Sparks Legal 50:19 Due Process Timeline 51:32 Hearing Conditions Evidence 54:34 Legal Strategy Dysregulation 58:01 Zach Testimony Marathon 01:02:17 Takeaways Worth Fight 01:08:44 Tip of Week Advice 01:13:38 Final Thanks Closing
June 5, 2026
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
May 22, 2026
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
71 total episodes available
Recent guests on The David Kaufer Podcast: The Lighter Side of the Spectrum
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Karen Mayer Cunningham
Guest
Stone Kaufer
Guest
Dr Elizabeth Torres
Guest
Libby Ralston
Guest
Ken Cook
Guest
Marina Weiler
Guest
Denise Marshall
Guest
Libby Ingram
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Betsy Hicks Russ
Guest
David Yas
Guest
Randy Brandhagen
Guest
Japhet Stevens
Guest
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- What is The David Kaufer Podcast: The Lighter Side of the Spectrum?
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This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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