 Samahria
Lyte Kaufman, with her husband Barry Neil Kaufman, is
the co-originator of The
Son-Rise Program®, created when their son Raun
was diagnosed as severely and incurably autistic. After
designing a unique intervention program, Samahria worked
with their little boy intensively for over three years.
This groundbreaking program transformed Raun from a
mute, withdrawn child with a measured I.Q. of less than
30, into a highly verbal, socially interactive boy with
a near-genius I.Q. Bearing no traces of his former condition,
Raun later graduated Cum Laude Society/High Honors from
high school and earned a degree in Biomedical Ethics
from an Ivy League university. He then went on to become
the director of an educational center for school-aged
children. Now the CEO of the Option Institute, he teaches
on campus in addition to lecturing at universities,
conferences, and symposia worldwide.
The Story of Samahria and Barry's incredible journey
to heal their child was told in the best-selling book,
Son-Rise:
The Miracle Continues and NBC-TV movie, Son-Rise:
A Miracle of Love. Written by the Kaufmans, the book
and screenplay were honored with the Christopher Award
and the Humanitas Prize. Samahria co-authored the book
and screenplay, A
Sacred Dying, in which a family overcomes the fear
of death through the power of love. She continues to
reach out to parents and professionals with her compelling
set of audio tapes, Special
Children/Special Solutions. A powerful, humorous,
and wise speaker, Samahria has shared her pioneering
perspectives and treasure trove of heartwarming stories
with hundreds of groups.
Co-Founder of International Learning and Training
Center
Samahria is the co-founder of The Option Institute
which since its inception in 1983, has served as a beacon
of hope and possibility for thousands of people throughout
the world. With programs offered year-round and a staff
of over 80 dedicated individuals, The Option Institute
is a learning center for all who seek to overcome adversity
and improve the quality of their lives. In her work,
Samahria has specialized in teaching people to become
more effective in parenting and relationships. She also
provides support and strategies for women wanting to
step out of the victim role and realize their full potential.
As creator and lead teacher in the Exceptional Woman
program at The Option Institute, Samahria is a Force
of NatureTM, teaching
women from all over the world how to become loving yet
powerful.
Creates a Global Family
In addition to their three biological children, the
Kaufmans adopted three other children from desperate
situations. The first was a seriously malnourished little
Columbian boy who had been kept alive by intravenous
feeding through an artery in his neck. The Kaufmans
worked with their adopted son to bring him back to health
and today he is a bright, successful university graduate
focusing on a career in information technology. They
next adopted a little boy from Bogotá whose mother
had died and whose father had attempted to kill him
by slitting his throat. This child, who needed very
special care and love, has also been transformed in
the Kaufman home. When they expanded their family a
third time, the Kaufmans adopted a young orphaned girl
from the streets of strife-torn El Salvador. In addition
to their six children, they also now have three grandchildren.
While continuing her valuable work at The Option Institute,
Samahria is also active in artistic pursuits. Previously
an artist and sculptor, Samahria has recently written
and produced her own audio CD called High
On You. Reflecting years of experience, her lyrics
inspire courage, strength and hope in a challenging
world. As with everything she undertakes, Samahria's
songs affirm her belief in the limitless potential of
the human spirit. |
