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Welcome to The Untypical Parent™ Podcast, a place for parents in neurodivergent families who want real-life strategies, honest conversations, and a reminder that doing things differently is more than okay.
Hosted by me, Liz Evans — The Untypical OT, a dyslexic, solo parent in a neurodiverse family, this show explores everything from parental burnout and sensory needs to dyslexia, ADHD, and chronic illness. You’ll hear from experts and parents alike, sharing tips and stories to help you create a family life that works for you, because every family is unique and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to families.
If you’ve ever felt that “typical” parenting advice doesn’t fit your world, this is your place for connection, practical tools, and encouragement without the judgement.
Topics include:
• Neurodivergent parenting strategies
• Managing burnout and overwhelm
• Sensory-friendly family life
• Dyslexia, ADHD, autism & additional needs
• Parenting with chronic illness
Listen weekly for ideas you can actually use — and the reassurance that you’re not alone in doing things your way. Take what works and leave what doesn't.
Are you ready?
Come join me?
33 Episodes
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Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text I sit down with Sam Milburn to unpack body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), what it is, why it hides in plain sight, and how parents can spot early signs. We share practical next steps, from navigating CAMHS to using scripts that break reassurance loops without breaking trust. We cover: • BDD defined • Early signs in teens including checking, avoidance and reassurance seeking • Why shame and lack of insight delay help and fu...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Kathy Wassell, CEO and founder of the Autistic Girls Network Charity, talks with me about her journey creating supportive spaces for neurodivergent individuals, particularly women and girls who are often missed in traditional diagnostic pathways. What began as a simple online community has blossomed into a charity serving over 32,000 members, providing training to schools, and offering vital support to neurodivergent girls an...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text What actually is PDA? Speech and language therapist Libby Hill cuts through the confusion with clarity and compassion, drawing on decades of clinical experience and her work with leading PDA researchers. "There's demand avoidance, and then there's PDA," Libby explains, highlighting the crucial differences that parents and professionals often miss. While many children resist external demands for logical reasons—sensory discomf...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text In this episode, Jodie talks about her journey from unconsciously trying to be the “perfect yummy mummy” to showing up as her real, neurodivergent self in parenting. A big turning point was her eldest daughter’s autism diagnosis, which set her on a path of self-discovery and completely shifted how she saw both herself and her role as a parent. She shares openly about the tough stuff too — battling the education system, being o...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Ever noticed how we pour endless energy into helping our kids through back-to-school transitions, but we completely forget about ourselves? Welcome back to the Untypical Parent podcast for Season Three, where we're diving straight into what can be one of the most challenging times of year for neurodivergent families. Those end-of-summer transitions create what I call "shifts in rhythms" - those jarring changes that affect our...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text The summer holidays bring a unique rhythm to neurodivergent families with a "sweet spot" emerging between the transition from school and the anxiety of returning. This episode explores finding connection through our children's special interests during these periods. • Taking time for one-on-one connections with each child through their special interests • Experiencing the joy of witnessing someone talk about their "glimmers" ...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text PLEASE NOTE THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE OF NAME FOR THE VIDEO AND TOP TIPS DOWNLOAD. IT IS NOW CALLED THE NEURODIVERGENT FAMILY HOLIDAY GUIDE - it does what is says on the tin. Ever felt like your family is the only one struggling through what should be a blissful vacation experience? You're definitely not alone. The gap between holiday expectations and reality can be enormous, especially for families navigating additional needs. ...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Have you ever felt completely alone while managing your child's meltdown in public? That moment when all eyes seem to be on you, judging your parenting skills, and you just wish someone would silently acknowledge they understand what you're going through? The Typically Untypical movement was born from exactly this experience. In this deeply personal episode, I share how witnessing a parent's struggle with their distressed chi...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Part 2 Ever wondered what it's like navigating complex systems with dyslexia while trying to advocate for your children's needs? The mental gymnastics can be exhausting, yet this challenge remains largely invisible in discussions about parenting. When a dyslexic parent faces walls of text in emails, dense reports, or complicated forms, what neurotypical brains process effortlessly becomes a cognitive marathon. As I shar...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Parenting while dyslexic introduces unique challenges—especially when kids outstrip you in literacy. In this opening instalment of a two-part series, I share my personal journey navigating dyslexia in a family where words don’t always come easily. We’ll cover: • The emotional impact of having children who read faster or more fluently than you do • Why everyday logistics and planning can feel overwhelming when dyslexia is in th...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Plans can provide safety, reduce anxiety, and create a sense of control for parents in additional needs families when everything feels chaotic. They help reduce cognitive load and mental demand, giving us space to be more present with our children. • Plans work best when they're flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances • Written plans take pressure off our working memory, especially during stressful moments • Types of...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text The Untypical Parent Talks to Herself Why we often say "no" even when we desperately need support? In this episode, I’m talking about something so many of us struggle with—accepting help. You know that pressure to have it all together and do everything ourselves? Yep, that. I get into how thinking of help as some kind of transaction can actually make it harder to let people in, and how sometimes we push support away so ...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Welcome to The Untypical OT Talks to Herself—the mini podcast for typically untypical parents! Bite-sized episodes packed with real talk about parenting in additional needs families. No fluff, no judgment—just honest conversations about the stuff that truly matters. 💡 This week’s episode: My top tip for managing burnout, overwhelm, and stress at work. This also works at home. It's all about the boundaries! Do you know where y...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Welcome to The Untypical OT Talks to Herself—the mini podcast for typically untypical parents! Bite-sized episodes packed with real talk about parenting in additional needs families. No fluff, no judgment—just honest conversations about the stuff that truly matters. 💡 This week’s episode: My top tip for managing burnout, overwhelm, and stress in the family home. If you’re feeling stretched thin, this one's for you! 🎧 Are you...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Chronic illness doesn't come with a parenting manual. That's why this conversation with Rebecca (the Chronically Resilient OT) feels like a breath of fresh air for anyone trying to raise children while managing their own health challenges. "Perfect is the enemy of done," Rebecca reminds us, cutting straight through the guilt that plagues so many parents with chronic conditions. Drawing from her unique perspective as both an o...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text What happens when your child's first seizure changes everything? Nicole Bateman, host of "Conversations with a Send Mum" podcast, takes us beyond the stereotypical understanding of epilepsy into a world most people never see. "Before my son had his first seizure, when I heard the word epilepsy, I would think of flashing lights and shaking on the floor," Nicole shares, before telling us that there are over 40 different t...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Sarah West shares her journey as a late-diagnosed ADHD woman navigating the challenges of perimenopause while parenting two neurodivergent daughters. She explains how declining estrogen levels during perimenopause can significantly worsen ADHD symptoms by further reducing dopamine production. • Understanding the complex relationship between hormones and ADHD symptoms • Recognising how perimenopause can amplify existing ADHD c...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to be the perfect parent? Take a deep breath – you're not alone, and this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear. Speech and language therapist Ruth Jones talks with me about the concept of being a "good enough" parent, when I ask her if she is the perfect parent. We talk about: • The liberating concept of being a "good enough" parent instead of striving for per...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text What happens when we throw away the parenting rulebook and embrace our authentic, imperfect selves? In this fascinating conversation with Jen Wilson (aka Irregular Jen), we explore the radical idea that perfect parenting is not only impossible—it's not even desirable. Jen, founder of the International Day of Consent and self-described "rebel with a cause," challenges conventional parenting wisdom with refreshing honesty. "Any...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Ever felt like you're the only parent struggling while everyone else seems to have it all figured out? Then this raw, honest conversation with Mark is exactly what you need. A self-described "undiagnosed neurotypical" dad raising three neurodivergent children. Mark candidly shares when he stopped seeing his son's behaviour as defiance and started understanding it as communication. Mark talks about how he learned to mee...
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