The David Kaufer Podcast: The Lighter Side of the Spectrum

David welcomes Dan Feshbach, founder and board chair of Multiple, a nonprofit autism innovation platform connecting families, entrepreneurs, funders, mentors, and community members. Dan shares his personal origin story after his son Reed’s early language regression and autism diagnosis in the 1990s, describing scarce services and the practical challenges of daily life, which later led him and othe...

David welcomes neurologist Dr. Gary Stobbe, director of the University of Washington Medicine Adult Autism Clinic and Adult Transition Services at Seattle Children’s Autism Center, reflecting on how scarce practical autism medical expertise was 20 years ago and his own early appointment with Stobbe. Stobbe recounts his path into neurology, early brain-imaging research, and the 1990s “nothing to do...

David and producer Dave Yas discuss interconnected developments they see as threatening disability rights: a recent DOJ opinion reinterpreting Olmstead, proposed Medicaid cuts, and efforts to move special education from the Department of Education to HHS. They explain Olmstead’s longstanding role in supporting community-based living over institutionalization and worry states could use the DOJ memo...

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-conta...

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-bas...

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 a...

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...

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 recommenda...

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...

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 com...

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” gu...

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, shyn...

David welcomes Guy Stephens, founder and executive director of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (founded 2019), who explains how repeated restraint and seclusion of his son—starting at age six and escalating in 2018—led him to advocacy after learning these practices violated Maryland’s legal thresholds and can cause lasting trauma, injuries, and even deaths (including the 2018 death of...

David records from Orcas Island with producer Dave Yas and shares a supportive listener message about presuming competence, a shift to viewing autism as sensory-motor differences, and pursuing Spelling to Communicate while ending an eight-year ABA relationship. They discuss New York’s proposed communication rights bill, noting Senate Disability Committee chair Patricia Fahy added “validated” and “...

David welcomes Dr. Barry Prizant—speech-language pathologist, researcher, consultant, and author of "Uniquely Human"—to discuss how autism conversations can shift from deficits and pathology to dignity, emotional safety, and relationship-based support. Prizant recounts entering the field through a summer camp job, early experiences with bullying and “othering,” and a career blending academic work...

David welcomes clinical psychologist Dr. Debra Brause, a California-based writer for Psychology Today and mother of a neurodivergent teen, to discuss “structural grief,” which Brause notes was coined by Dr. Michael Hogue: grief not about the child, but about ableist, capitalist systems (school, healthcare, benefits) and collapsed normative timelines. In an autism fact-or-fiction segment, Brause ch...

David welcomes Dr. Amy Laurent, developmental psychologist, co-creator of the SCERTS Model and co-founder of Autism Level Up, to discuss shifting autism support from compliance-based behavior management to relationship-centered, autonomy-respecting care. Amy shares her path from occupational therapy and traumatic brain injury work into autism, sparked by her first autistic client and mentorship wi...

David welcomes autism advocate and financial advisor Lynda Kommel-browne, a mom of five whose youngest, Winston, is a non-speaking autistic speller. They discuss advocacy, fighting for inclusion in public school, and Winston’s strengths, including advanced math, acting roles, and rapid foreign-language acquisition (Spanish and Chinese). The conversation focuses on early financial and estate planni...

David dives into the controversial message passing test promoted by ASHA, which has significant implications for non-speakers on the autism spectrum. Joined by producer and attorney Dave Yas, they explore the civil rights violations and legal inconsistencies associated with this test. The episode emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in recognizing effective communication methods for those with...

David dives deep into dispelling myths and challenging fear-based narratives about autism. Joined by Stacy Badon, an autism education specialist with over 20 years of experience, and Torrin Kearns, an autistic self-advocate, screenwriter, and blogger, the trio discusses the evolving perceptions of autism, the importance of presuming competence, and the challenges faced by parents and individuals i...

David welcomes special guest Susan Baker. Susan shares her journey and advocacy for her non-speaking autistic son, Andrew, discussing how the method of 'spelling to communicate' has transformed their lives. They delve into the emotional and physical fatigue that comes with constant advocacy, fighting for acknowledgment of their children's capabilities, and the inherent systemic challenges. The epi...

David welcomes Chad Culver from The Peyton Project, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting autistic and non-speaking individuals and their families. They discuss the origins and growth of the foundation, brought to life by Chad's son Peyton, and its contributions to fostering communication and inclusion. They delve into Peyton's personal journey, the impact of Spelling to Communicate, and the signifi...

David welcomes special education advocate Karen Mayer Cunningham, known as the 'Special Education Boss.' Karen shares her journey from being a mother navigating the special education system to becoming a leading advocate for children with disabilities. Together, they tackle practical strategies for parents and educators to navigate IEP meetings, advocate effectively, and ensure meaningful progress...

David welcomes his son Stone, a 20-year-old non-speaking student, to discuss his experiences, challenges, and aspirations. Stone, who has recently gained the ability to speak more through brain enhancement therapy, shares his journey towards greater communication, his struggles with being underestimated, and his ambitious goal to attend Harvard. The podcast also features segments such as 'Tip of t...

In this special 50th episode of 'The Lighter Side of the Spectrum,' David celebrates a significant milestone—one year of the podcast. David reflects on the journey, sharing personal anecdotes, listener feedback, and heartfelt thank-yous. Producer Dave joins in, highlighting the show's evolution and its impactful moments. The episode also revisits notable guests and topics from the past year, inclu...