TOPICS & PROGRAMS

Most people come to autism from one direction - either as a professional or as a family member. Jennifer Kaufman has lived it from both. As a special education principal at an autism school for over twenty years and the grandmother of a child on the spectrum, she brings a perspective no one else can offer. This talk helps grandparents, families, and parent groups understand how to show up as true partners -- not just well-meaning bystanders.

Best for:  grandparent groups, family resource centers, autism conferences, parenting organizations

Available as: keynote, workshop, or half-day event

Grandparents are the most underutilized resource in autism support -- and the most motivated. They want to help. They just don't always know how. Jennifer's signature grandparenting program gives them practical tools, reframes their role, and meets them where they are generationally. Because the advice we give parents doesn't always translate - and grandparents deserve guidance that actually fits their relationship.

Best for:  senior centers, faith communities, AARP chapters, autism awareness events 

Available as:  keynote or workshop

When a police officer encounters someone in a behavioral crisis, seconds matter. If they don't recognize the signs of autism, a routine interaction can escalate fast. Jennifer's First Response Autism training gives officers practical, real-world tools -- not a lecture about disability. The results speak for themselves: 100% increase in officer confidence post-training, with 92% rating it extremely useful.

Best for:  police academies, active duty departments, college & university campus security, emergency responders   

Available as: half-day or full-day training

They are in the room, but not at the table. Grandparents who love their grandchildren fiercely but don't know how to help. First responders who show up in a crisis but weren't trained for what they're seeing. Jennifer Kaufman has spent her career working with both groups, and the through line is the same: proximity without preparation leads to frustration, fear, and missed opportunities. This keynote bridges both worlds and challenges audiences to rethink who we are actually supporting when we talk about autism awareness.

Best for:  autism conferences, advocacy organizations, university programs, leadership summits 

Available as: keynote

Faith communities are often the first place families turn in a crisis -- and one of the last places equipped to respond to autism. This program meets grandparents where they already gather, offering practical guidance rooted in the values of connection, patience, and unconditional love. Jennifer speaks directly to the grandparent experience with warmth, humor, and hard-won wisdom from both sides of the desk.

Best for:  churches, synagogues, faith-based family ministries, religious conferences 

Available as: keynote or workshop

When a child receives an autism diagnosis, the support system that rallies around the family often leaves grandparents on the outside looking in. Yet grandparents are frequently the most available, most motivated, and most consistent adults in a child's life. This talk gives healthcare providers, therapists, and early intervention professionals practical strategies for bringing grandparents into the support circle - and explains why it matters for outcomes.

Best for:  pediatric practices, early intervention programs, hospital systems, therapy networks 

Available as: keynote or workshop

Want a program specifically designed for your audience? Jennifer is able to work with you to create a custom program that adddreses the specific needs of your community.  Contact Jennifer to discuss your next event.