What happens when a school principal who’s worked with autistic students for years becomes a grandparent to a child on the spectrum?

This week on Let’s Plant Houses, mu guest is Jennifer Kaufman, author of “Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey from Both Sides of the Desk.” Jennifer brings a unique perspective – she’s both a school principal who has worked with autistic students AND a grandmother to a 7-year-old with autism.

What struck me most was Jennifer’s honesty about how her professional knowledge didn’t prepare her for the emotional journey of being a grandparent. She shares practical strategies for creating welcoming spaces, the importance of following the parents’ lead, and how to shift from trying to “fix” autism to celebrating neurodivergent minds. This episode is a must-listen for grandparents, parents, and those who want to better support special needs families.

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How can growing up alongside autism shape not just your childhood, but your entire life’s calling?

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, Katie Bullock shares the beautiful complexity of growing up as the middle child and only girl, with a younger brother who has profound autism.

She recalls everything from the terrifying Father’s Day when 3-year-old Michael disappeared, to crashing his therapy sessions because they looked like “amazing play dates,” to watching him become the beloved “mayor” of her elementary school, adored by all her friends.

Michael’s clever way of navigating the world and his straightforward honesty brought laughter and light to their family—even as they faced challenges like missing soccer games and installing extra locks on the doors.

Katie’s journey beautifully illustrates how love and difficulty can coexist, ultimately leading her to a career in early intervention and speech-language pathology where she now helps other families find their own path. She shares invaluable insights about the importance of therapy for siblings, the reality that not every sibling will want to be a caregiver, and why finding joy in your child’s interests—even if it’s lining up blocks—can transform your relationship.

Whether you’re a parent, sibling, or professional working with special needs families, Katie’s perspective offers both validation and hope, showing that the autism journey, while complex, can be filled with unexpected moments of connection and joy.

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