The Untypical Parent™ Podcast

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 o...

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 reall...

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 unpredictabili...

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 s...

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 compl...

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 che...

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 32,0...

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 p...

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...

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...

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...

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 thro...

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...

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 h...

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 relationshi...

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 experie...

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 p...

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 com...

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-d...

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 fluent...

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&apos...

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...

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text In this episode I talk with Clare Baker from Restlessminds UK. Clare and I go deep into the raw realities of parenting, neurodivergence, and the often unseen emotional toll of navigating a broken education system. Clare shares her powerful story of becoming a mum at 19, being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, and why she chose to...

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...

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text What happens when your perfectly planned approach to parenting collides with the unpredictable reality and it doesn't end up fitting the job description! Helen Buzdugan knows this territory intimately. As a late-diagnosed ADHDer, careers advisor, and founder of True To You Careers, Helen shares her raw, emotional journey from...