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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 child in a doctor's waiting room sparked an idea that's growing into something much bigger than just merchandise. When parents are in crisis mode—surviving day to day with their central nervous systems in protection mode—they often can't access traditional support resources. What can make a difference is that simple nod of understanding from someone who's been there.

Through t-shirts, bags, pens, travel mugs, and pins bearing the "Typically Untypical" slogan, parents can silently signal to each other: I see you, I get it, and you're not alone. These items aren't just products; they're communication tools creating solidarity among parents raising children with additional needs. Sometimes wearing your t-shirt signals to others that you need help, sometimes it shows others they're not alone, and sometimes it's simply a personal reminder that you belong to a community who understands.

This movement isn't just for parents—siblings, extended family members, friends, and anyone who wants to show support can join. Together, we're creating that backup team we all desperately need, because no parent was ever meant to navigate these challenges in isolation. The question now is: how far can this movement spread? Could your participation be the silent nod that makes all the difference to a struggling parent?

Join us in building this web of understanding. Share where you've worn your Typically Untypical items, connect with others who recognise the signal, and help us show parents everywhere that even in their most difficult moments, they are truly not alone.

You can get yours here:

https://www.something-profound.co.uk/collections/liz-evans-the-untypical-ot-collaboration

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I work with parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to support them with burnout, mental health and well-being. When parents are supported, everyone benefits.

🔗 To connect with me, you find all my details on Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/the_untypical_ot

☕ If you’d like to support the podcast, you can buy me a coffee here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/the.untypical.ot

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast and join the mailing list please email me at: contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com

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 perfection
• How COVID-19 impacted child development and created challenges in differentiating between pandemic-related delays and neurological differences
• The importance of honouring all forms of communication, not just verbal language
• Why direct autistic communication is often misinterpreted as rudeness rather than a different communication style
• Common misconceptions about speech and language therapy for neurodivergent children
• The value of curiosity when supporting neurodivergent children and understanding behaviours
• Why apologising to your children models important emotional regulation skills
• Ruth's upcoming book on neurodiversity-affirming practice for speech therapists

Whether you're parenting a neurodivergent child, questioning differences in your family, or simply trying to be a more compassionate parent, this conversation will leave you feeling validated and equipped with practical wisdom. Listen now and discover how being "good enough" might actually be the perfect approach to parenting after all.

You can find Ruth here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuthJonesSLT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruth_jones_slt/

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I work with parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to support them with burnout, mental health and well-being. When parents are supported, everyone benefits.

🔗 To connect with me, you find all my details on Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/the_untypical_ot

☕ If you’d like to support the podcast, you can buy me a coffee here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/the.untypical.ot

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast and join the mailing list please email me at: contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com

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 share in this episode, my working memory operates on a "postage stamp" while others enjoy an entire A4 page—meaning information gets displaced quickly, requiring multiple readings and creative workarounds. The constant mental translation from written word to usable information creates an enormous unseen burden.

The emotional toll runs deep too. Many of us hide our dyslexia from professionals due to lifetime fears of being judged or underestimated. I candidly discuss how I went through an entire tribunal process without disclosing my dyslexia—a decision I now question. Could accommodations have made that journey less arduous? Simple changes like bullet-pointed information, clear summaries, and mixed communication formats (both written and verbal) dramatically improve accessibility, not just for dyslexic parents but for everyone navigating additional needs systems.

Despite these challenges, dyslexic thinking brings valuable skills to the table. Our natural problem-solving abilities and outside-the-box thinking become superpowers when advocating for children within rigid systems. We develop creative workarounds that often benefit the whole family.

Whether you're a dyslexic parent seeking validation, a professional wanting to improve accessibility, or simply curious about neurodivergent experiences, this episode offers practical insights into making systems work better for diverse brains. Join me in exploring how dyslexia shapes every aspect of additional needs parenting—and why those postage-stamp brains deserve more recognition and support.

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I work with parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to support them with burnout, mental health and well-being. When parents are supported, everyone benefits.

🔗 To connect with me, you find all my details on Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/the_untypical_ot

☕ If you’d like to support the podcast, you can buy me a coffee here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/the.untypical.ot

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast and join the mailing list please email me at: contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com