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Artwork for The David Kaufer Podcast: The Lighter Side of the Spectrum

The David Kaufer Podcast: The Lighter Side of the Spectrum

David Kaufer
Autism
Spelling To Communicate
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Special Education
Down Syndrome
Spellers Freedom Foundation
Disability Rights
Education
Medicaid
Letter Board
ASHA
Non-Speaking Autism
Communication Rights
Fairfax County Public Schools
Profound Autism
ABA Therapy
Wandering and Elopement
Seclusion and Restraint In Schools
Spellership
Communication Rights Bill

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 obstac... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes82Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for The David Kaufer Podcast: The Lighter Side of the Spectrum

Latest Episodes

David welcomes Stephen Laine, an autism advocate and writer, to discuss how trauma often intersects with autism through repeated distressing experiences. Laine recounts his sons Matthew and Aiden’s early developmental concerns, dual autism diagnoses,... more

David welcomes Denise Allen of the Healing Our Sight podcast to discuss binocular vision, strabismus, and how vision is more than 20/20 acuity. Allen describes growing up without 3D vision, clumsiness and coordination challenges, and how traditional ... more

David welcomes Angela Akers-Castro to The Lighter Side of the Spectrum to discuss raising her son Miles, diagnosed with autism at age five after she persisted despite clinicians dismissing concerns because he was affectionate, social, and didn’t “fit... more

David welcomes Dr. Antigone Oreopoulos, an Edmonton-based physiotherapist, researcher, and mom of an 11-year-old non-speaking autistic son who communicates via letter board, to discuss how communication for many non-speaking and unreliably speaking a... more

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Recent Guests

Angela Akers-Castro
Advocate and policy changer focused on autism and developmental disabilities in Washington state
Independent advocate
Episode: Trust Your Gut and Ask Better Questions: Angela Akers-Castro
Antigone Oreopoulos
Physiotherapist, researcher, disability advocate, inclusion specialist, consultant, and coach
Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Episode: Antigone Oreopoulos: Rethinking Autism Through a Sensory-Motor Lens with Dr. Antigone Oreopoulos
Brandon Boyd
Father of Ben, author of Delighting in Ben
Episode: Brandon Boyd: Grief, Connection & Communication Beyond Speech
Jeanette Benigas
Speech-language pathologist, researcher, founder of FixSLP
FixSLP
Episode: Challenging ASHA with Jeanette Benigas
Gary Stobbe
Board-certified neurologist, director of UW Medicine Adult Autism Clinic
University of Washington
Episode: Dr. Gary Stobbe on Adult Autism Care & More
Elizabeth Zielinski
Advocate
Independent advocate connected to Zach's case
Episode: Beating the Odds: Zach’s Due Process Win Vs. Fairfax County Schools
Jill Janson
Zach's mother
Parent advocate
Episode: Beating the Odds: Zach’s Due Process Win Vs. Fairfax County Schools
Mary Brown
Mother of Woody Brown, non-speaking autistic writer
Family of Woody Brown
Episode: Mary Brown and the triumphs of her Non-Speaking Son
Dawnmarie Gaivin
Executive Director of Spellers Freedom Foundation; co-founder of The Spellers Method
Spellers Freedom Foundation; The Spellers Method
Episode: Dawnmarie Gaivin on Spelling, Apraxia & Building a Principled Movement

Host

David Kaufer
Host of The Lighter Side of the Spectrum

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 16 ratings
  • Making a difference

    David is making a real difference in understanding the challenges of the autistic community. His shows are insightful and brings awareness to challenges and triumphs of families.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KHA12_12
    United States25 days ago
  • David Kaufer Podcast

    The Lighter Side of Autism is a refreshing and deeply insightful podcast that brings hope, understanding, and positivity to the autism community. Through heartfelt conversations and meaningful storytelling, David shines a light on the lived experiences of autistic individuals and their families, breaking down misconceptions and fostering a sense of connection. His dedication to raising awareness and promoting acceptance is truly inspiring. Each episode is filled with warmth, humor, and genuine c... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amlvj
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host creates a hopeful and approachable space for families navigating autism.
The show's warmth and focus on empowerment make complex topics accessible to a broad audience.
Episodes balance empathy with actionable insights for advocacy and policy change.
Guests bring deep expertise and personal experience, creating impactful, practical discussions.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Evidence, Trust, and Autism with Alex Morozov
Q: How do you approach the concept of two-eyed seeing and balancing Western and Indigenous knowledge in medical decision making?
Alex explains two-eyed seeing as viewing knowledge with both Western and Indigenous perspectives, collaborating respectfully to combine strengths from both sides rather than seeking exclusive proof, and applying this to patient-provider conversations.
Evidence, Trust, and Autism with Alex Morozov
Q: And that's how I discovered Alex. Why don't you just give a little background on your path into evidence and oncology?
Alex describes his traditional MD-PhD training in oncology, his years in pharma, and how he pivoted toward a nonprofit focus on evidence-based thinking and better interpretation of data for the public.
Lori Rogers and Her Journey with Spelling
Q: What role has media and visibility played in advancing your mission?
Lori details how media appearances and screenings helped normalize spelling-based communication, attracted allies, and inspired other families. She emphasizes staying focused on Craig's journey, handling controversy with composure, and using storytelling to open doors for research, partnerships, and broader acceptance.
Lori Rogers and Her Journey with Spelling
Q: How did you first learn about the spelling-to-communicate approach, and what motivated you to pursue it for Craig?
Lori explains that after exploring many therapies and hitting roadblocks with traditional education, a friend mentioned a book about spelling-based communication. Reading it and meeting an expert catalyzed a cautious but hopeful shift, leading them to try the approach with Craig and eventually see him engage and learn, validating their belief that Craig could communicate in this way.
Presuming Competence with Amber Nathanson
Q: Did my grades meet her expectations?
Amber states that Stone exceeded expectations across many areas, noting that the educator's goal was not to have fixed mountains of progress but to support ongoing growth and achievement, with strong results as evidence of effort and learning.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on hope, practical advocacy, and real-world stories surrounding autism, with a strong emphasis on alternative and communication-based approaches for non-speaking individuals. Episodes frequently explore spelling-to-communicate, presuming competence, and policy battles to expand access to supports, education rights, and safety. Listeners can expect candid, family-centered perspectives from parents, advocates, and professionals who discuss navigating schools, healthcare, and policy, along with actionable lessons for documenting, advocating, and building inclusive systems. A notable strength is weaving personal journeys with broader civil-rights and community-building themes, offering both inspiration and concrete guidance for... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Telepathy Tapes
2. Uniquely Human: The Podcast
3. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
4. The Genius Life
5. Autism Changemakers Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 82 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Angela Akers-Castro
2. Antigone Oreopoulos
3. Brandon Boyd
4. Jeanette Benigas
5. Gary Stobbe
6. Elizabeth Zielinski
7. Jill Janson
8. Mary Brown

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