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The Untypical Parent™ Podcast
For parents and carers who love their kids but feel completely overwhelmed sometimes.
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 parenting through 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.
Episodes
63 episodes
When the Unthinkable Happens: Life After Child Bereavement
When the Unthinkable Happens: Life After Child BereavementContent note: This episode discusses child bereavement and childhood cancer. Please listen gently and take care of yourself, or choose to come back another day...
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The Bookshelf: The Book That Inspired a Six-Year-Old to Write
The Book That Inspired a Six-Year-Old to WriteSometimes we don't realise the ripple effect our actions can have. In this episode of The Bookshelf, I'm joined by author, editor and writing coach Cara A'Court to t...
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Make Disability Unremarkable
When Difference Stops Being Something to FixSara Momtaz joined me to talk about her daughter and the journey that began when she was told her baby would be born with Down syndrome.We talk about the realities of parenting a child w...
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Diagnosis Human: What My Daughter Taught Me About Being Human with Elly Chapple
What if the biggest lessons about being human come from the people society is most determined to change?In this Bookshelf episode, I'm joined by author Elly Chapple to talk about her book Diagnosis Human and the extraordinary le...
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Burning In, Not Burning Out: A New Way to Think About Burnout with Rhiannon Crispe
Parents are often told to rest more, practise self-care, or take a break when they're overwhelmed.But what happens when the demands never stop?In this episode, I have the absolute pleasure of talking with fellow occupational thera...
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The Bookshelf: Why Elle McNicoll’s Books Matter to Neurodivergent Families
Welcome to The Untypical Parent Podcast: The Bookshelf , a new series celebrating the books that shape, support, empower and sometimes just bring joy to neurodivergent families.In this special episode, I'm joined by parent ...
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When Sobriety Reveals ADHD with Chris Braid from The After Party
Your life can fall apart twice, once on the outside and once in your head, and you still might not know what the real issue is. I’m joined by Chris Braid, co-host of The After Party, to talk about what happened when a mental breakdown, divorce,...
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The Bookshelf: How A One-Legged Goose Teaches Kids Inclusion
A one-legged goose might not be the hero you’d expect… but maybe that’s exactly the point.This episode is part of something new I’m trying this season.As someone who’s dyslexic and has never really connected with traditional reading,...
AI, Neurodivergence and Being Understood with Elaine and Jay cofounders of Evro AI
One meeting can spiral into weeks of stress when you’re neurodivergent and constantly second-guessing what you said, how you came across, or what everyone “really meant.” Dr Jay Spence, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of Avro AI, talks a...
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I Don’t Read Books… But I Still Need What’s Inside Them
Do you ever feel like reading just… isn’t built for you?In this solo episode, I talk about my honest experience with dyslexia, distraction, and why traditional reading has always felt like hard work rather than relaxation. From unfinishe...
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No One Is a Perfect Parent, Not Even the Experts with Dr Kim Collett
In this episode of The Untypical Parent Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Kim Collett for a really honest conversation about the reality of parenting, and why knowing the “right” thing doesn’t mean it’s easy to do it.Kim has a PhD in in...
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Parents and Schools Working Together — Not Against Each Other When Kids Are Unable to Attend School
Over 170,000 children in England were severely absent from school last year, according to the Department for Education.Behind that number are families, schools, and children all trying to navigate something incredibly complex.In t...
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Interoception for Parents: The Missing Link in Burnout and Overwhelm with Kelly Mahler
Parents are often so busy meeting everyone else’s needs that they stop noticing their own.And when that happens, burnout and overwhelm can build long before we even realise what’s going on.In this episode, I'm joined by occupation...
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50 Episodes In.... Here's What I Know About Parenting (And What I don't)
I recorded this one in my car, on my phone, because the irony finally caught up with me: I cannot keep talking about untypical parenting and ditching perfection while I’m secretly trying to manufacture a “perfect” milestone episode. So I just g...
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Suicide Prevention in Young People: A Conversation with Papyrus
Content note: This episode contains conversation about suicide. Please look after yourself when listening. This episode is a special one.It’s part of Podcasthon 2026, where podcasters come together to raise ...
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The Power of Creativity for Parents and Kids (with Julie Bevan, Dot Kids)
In this episode I'm joined by Julie Bevan founder of DotKids where we explore creativity. Creativity often feels like something we leave behind in childhood.Somewhere between school expectations, work, parenting and the press...
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Holding The Line: Boundaries, Burnout, And Brave Parenting with Chrissa from Sunshine Support
In this episode of The Untypical Parent Podcast, I’m joined by Chrissa Wadlow from Sunshine Support, and this one turns into a proper real-life chat (the kind I know so many of us need).Chrissa shares her journey as ...
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When Is It the Right Time? EOTAS, School Trauma & The Fear of Letting Go
Living in a neurodivergent family can feel like walking barefoot through a dark room full of Lego.In this episode, I share a powerful metaphor from listener Lindsay Morris, and then take you into something very real happening in my own f...
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Parenting Stress & Burnout: How to Step Back From the Edge with Dr Lee David
What if the smallest straw isn’t the cause of your collapse, but the clue you’ve been carrying too much for too long? We sit down with Dr Lee David, GP, CBT therapist, author, and host of The Choice Space, to make stress understandable, visible...
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The Wins That Matter: Strengths, Self-Esteem & Neurodivergent Parenting
Parenting in a neurodivergent family is many things. Boring is most definitely not one of them.In this episode, I reflect on a listener message from Carla Berlin that perfectly captures something so many of us live every day: the exhaust...
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You’re Not Alone: Autism, ADHD, School Struggles, Diagnosis & Parenting with Greer Jones
“I learned quickly that I am my child’s voice. No one else will care the way I do.” This quote from Greer captures the heart of our conversation. Greer shares her experience of autism, ADHD, school systems, a...
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My brain has a soundtrack - anyone else?
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...
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Fostering children with SEND: the highs, the lows, and a lot of love with Jordan Garratt from Sensory Classroom
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 spea...
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Parenting in a neurodivergent family is...... like riding a bike with a flat tyre...
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 ...
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Why Parenting Feels So Hard When You Have ADHD & RSD with Laura Kerbey
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 ...
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