# Financial Planning for Autism with Lynda Kommel-browne

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-david-kaufer-podcast-the-lighter-side-of-the-spectrum-7096940/financial-planning-for-autism-with-lynda-kommel-browne
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-david-kaufer-podcast-the-lighter-side-of-the-spectrum-7096940/financial-planning-for-autism-with-lynda-kommel-browne.md
Podcast: [The David Kaufer Podcast: The Lighter Side of the Spectrum](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-david-kaufer-podcast-the-lighter-side-of-the-spectrum-7096940)
Published: 2026-02-18T02:19:35+00:00
Episode link: https://kauferpodcast.podbean.com/e/financial-planning-for-autism-with-lynda-kommel-browne/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9k745ttn4yei3cbi/Audio_of_Lynda_Kommel-browne6teq6.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-david-kaufer-podcast-the-lighter-side-of-the-spectrum-7096940/episodes/financial-planning-for-autism-with-lynda-kommel-browne
Duration seconds: 3309

## Resource

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 planning: building a team, pursuing Medicaid/state benefits and respite care, and describing needs on a child’s worst day. Lynda explains ABLE accounts (tax-advantaged, broad disability expenses, $20k/year contributions, $100k benefit threshold) versus special needs trusts (often funded with life insurance). They address guardianship vs supported decision-making and share parent confessions about delayed planning. Lynda can be reached by phone via her office number: (203) 226-1559 or mobile: (917) 374-6948 Topics 00:58 Meet Lynda Kommel-browne: Advocate + Wall Street to Special Needs Planning 03:28 Linda’s Family Story & Why Planning Early Matters 05:43 Planning for “Three Lifetimes”: Team, Timeline, and Peace of Mind 07:28 Winston’s Journey: From Early Diagnosis to Finding Communication 09:10 Spelling/Letterboards Breakthrough (Learning on Zoom) 10:32 School District Battles, Presuming Competence & Paving the Way 12:10 College Dreams: Linguistics, Languages, and Accessible Campuses 15:45 Staying in Public School + Using Apex for STEM Accommodations 21:03 Big-Picture Planning: Divorce, Building a Team, and Special Needs Credentials 24:50 Family Roles, Guardianship Plans, and Funding a Dignified Adult Life 26:51 Practical Tools Next: Benefits, ABLE Accounts, and Why You Can’t Wait 29:00 Finding Help for Medicaid & Public Benefits Paperwork 29:55 Applying the Right Way: De…

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