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Welcome to The Untypical Parent™ Podcast, a place for parents in neurodivergent, SEN and additional needs families. Here we talk about the messy and the sparkles, share ideas you can actually use, and give you space to take what might work and leave what doesn't.
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 judgment.
Welcome to your backup team. We've been expecting you.
42 Episodes
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Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text This week I share a comment from a listener. Sharon Thompson wrote what it’s like parenting in a neurodivergent family, the realities people don’t always see, and the strength it takes to keep showing up. And in amongst that I’m bringing a little lightness too… because I’ve realised something about myself, I regulate with singing. But I also think in songs. Words and phrases trigger lyrics, and yes, sometimes I even treat eve...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Content Note: This episode includes discussion of foster care, trauma, low mood and suicidal feelings. If these topics are difficult for you, please take care while listening. If you are struggling, please consider speaking to someone you trust or seeking support. In the UK & ROI, Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123 or at samaritans.org. Jordan Garratt, founder of Sensory Class, joins us to tell the story ...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text In this short series, parents in neurodivergent families tell us what it's really like. In this episode Laura explains "parenting in a neurodivergent family is like riding a bike with a flat tyre, with a blindfold on, one hand tied behind your back… oh and I just realised the other wheel fell off". If this episode rings true leave a message in the comments to let other parents know they aren't alone. If you'd like...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text In this episode, Laura Kerbey, author and founder of PAST (Positive Assessments, Support and Training), shares her lived experience of growing up undiagnosed with ADHD, and how that shaped not only her childhood but adulthood and parenthood as well. Laura talks honestly about how deeply she wanted to be a parent, alongside how challenging parenting felt while living with undiagnosed ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text In this bonus episode of The Untypical Parent Podcast, I admit something slightly embarrassing: I dropped a ball… a Christmas-shaped ball. Somewhere between broken legs, work deadlines, end-of-term chaos, questionable diary scheduling, and trying to remember if we own wrapping paper (I can't find any and the shops have sold out), I genuinely thought Christmas was still 1.5 weeks away. (It isn’t.) So, let’s talk about the menta...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text Untypical Parenting One Year On The best stories start where the script stops working. Marking a full year of The Untypical Parent Podcast, we sit down with two people who helped shape it from day one, Charlotte from Badger Education, my first-ever guest, and Sam, from Something Profound, the first sponsor, to explore what it really takes to raise neurodivergent kids without a rulebook. This is a celebration, yes, but it’s mo...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text What if “perfect” parenting is the wrong goal, and honest repair is the real superpower? I sit down with David, the Dad behind NeuroDad’s Diary, to explore what changes when a late ADHD diagnosis reframes years of anxiety, overwhelm, and self-critique. He shares how sensory triggers, bedtime chaos, and the relentless unpredictability of young kids land in a neurodivergent nervous system. We unpack the invisible load many neur...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text In this episode I sit down with Steph Simpson, a late-identified ADHD mom on a pathway for autism assessment, to explore how a simple language shift—calling ADHD “squirrels” and autism “penguins”—reshaped her family’s daily life. Instead of labels that freeze kids in place, her home uses playful cues to redirect with warmth. When she glitches mid-task, a quiet “Mom, squirrels” brings her back without shame. The same approach h...
Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text What happens when your carefully planned parenting journey takes an unexpected turn? For Archie, specialist ADHD nurse prescriber and director of ADHD Care Limited, raising a neurodivergent child meant learning to embrace a completely different path than the one he'd imagined. This deeply honest conversation explores the complexity of neurodivergent family life through both professional expertise and raw personal experience. ...
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...
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