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Parenting when your child hasn't got the memo that everyone expects them to do things a certain way isn't just hard... it's really hard.

Author and illustrator Eliza Fricker joins me on The Untypical Parent Podcast to talk about what happens when "traditional" parenting advice simply doesn't work for your family.

So much of what Eliza shared resonated with me as a parent. We talk about meetings that we have to attend that just feel ridculous, knowing there wasn't a coffee morning for parents like her, how she found herself questioning her own instincts, and the moment she decided she was going to start drawing the reality of what families like hers were living through.

I know we aren't the only parents to feel like this.

If you'd like to connect with Eliza you can find her here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizafricker_missingthemark/?hl=en

Website: https://missingthemark.co.uk/

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The Untypical Podcaster Lab

If you'd love to start a podcast but the usual advice just doesn't seem to fit you, come and have a look at The Untypical Podcaster Lab. I'll help you go from podcast brainwave to your very first episode in just two weeks, in a way that works for you.

https://info.the-untypical-ot.co.uk/untypical-podcaster-lab

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Thank you to this season’s sponsors:

Terri Wyse & Rachel Helm
They are offering EBSA support through webinars and workshops.

Upcoming Sessions:

• 📅 2nd September – Webinar for Parents & Families
• 📅 16th September – Joint Workshop (Parents + Schools)

Podcast listeners receive £5 off using this code UNTYPICALPARENT5.

• Parent/carer webinar
• Workshop

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Support the show

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text

Introducing David Kirkman. A late-diagnosed AuDHDer, parent and artist who loves a round of golf.

As only you might expect with two neurodivergent brains, our conversation takes a wonderful meandering approach, and we cover so much. From David's beginning to understand his big emotions as a child, to discovering his diagnosis later in life. We talked about David’s art and what that means to David. We might have also got completely lost in the middle of what we were talking about, but that’s real life so after a good laugh it made the cut and stayed in the episode.

We are about mental health, men's mental health, I could go on. If you’re a parent, there is so much to relate to in here. As with all my guests, David talks openly and honestly about what it is like to be neurodivergent and a parent. I am grateful for his time and the conversation.

If you would like to connect with David you can find him here.

Website: https://dkirkmanart.com/about-david/?v=7885444af42e

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

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Brainwave to episode workshop with me:

https://info.the-untypical-ot.co.uk/brainwave-to-episode

Tuesday 14th July at 7.30pm

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Thank you to this season’s sponsors:

Terri Wyse & Rachel Helm
They are offering EBSA support through webinars and workshops.

Upcoming Sessions:

• 📅 2nd September – Webinar for Parents & Families
• 📅 16th September – Joint Workshop (Parents + Schools)

Podcast listeners receive £5 off using this code UNTYPICALPARENT5.

• Parent/carer webinar
• Workshop

Support the show

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text

The Book That Inspired a Six-Year-Old to Write

Sometimes 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 talk about two very special books. Cara shares the story behind her own novel, Three People, Three Countries, One Path, and how publishing it inspired her six-year-old niece to write and publish her very first book, Matt the Mole and the Stormy Day.

We also talk about writing as a way of processing life's experiences, why perfection shouldn't stop creativity, and how finding your own way of telling a story matters far more than getting every word right.

As someone who is dyslexic, writing has never come naturally to me, so this was a conversation that challenged some of my own beliefs about what it means to be a writer.

Whether you love books, have always dreamed of writing one, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind them, I hope you enjoy this conversation.

You can find the books Cara spoke about here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-People-Countries-One-Path/dp/1639888527

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Matt-mole-stormy-Billie-Rose-Lamb/dp/B0D4J91T5C

And if you'd like to connect with Cara, you can do that here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-a-court-335878143/

Support the show

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text

When Difference Stops Being Something to Fix

Sara 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 with complex needs, the assumptions people make, and how quickly life can change when the future you imagined looks very different from the one you find yourself living.

We talk about curious children, nervous adults, and the lessons Sara has learned from her daughter along the way.

A wonderful conversation about difference, belonging and what happens when we stop trying to fix people and start seeing them for who they are.

Things we mention in the podcast:

The Down Syndrome Association: www.Downs-syndrome.org.uk

Mou Mou and Friends: https://moumouandfriends.com/

And if you'd like to connect with Sara you can find her here: https://www.instagram.com/moumouandfriends/

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Thank you to this season’s sponsors:

Terri Wyse & Rachel Helm
They are offering EBSA support through webinars and workshops.

Upcoming Sessions:

• 📅 8th July – Webinar for School Leaders
• 📅 2nd September – Webinar for Parents & Families
• 📅 16th September – Joint Workshop (Parents + Schools)

Podcast listeners receive £5 off using this code UNTYPICALPARENT5.

• School webinar
• Parent/carer webinar
• Workshop

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Support the show

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text

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 lessons she learned from her daughter.

Together we talk about what happens when we stop trying to make people fit into systems that were never designed for them, and instead become curious about who they really are.

The conversation touches on authenticity, psychological safety, discomfort, communication, disability, neurodivergence and the power of slowing down enough to truly understand another person's experience.

This isn't just a conversation about parenting or disability. It's a conversation about being human.

Links For Elly

Website: https://ellychapple.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellychapple2023/

Support the show

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text

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 therapist, Rhiannon Crispe, where we talk about burnout, parenthood, values, boundaries, belonging and the things that truly fuel us.

Rhiannon talks about her Burn-In Model, a framework built around the idea of protecting and nurturing your inner flame.

Because burnout isn't about being weak.

It's about what happens when life asks more of us than we have available to give.

You can connect with Rhiannon on: Instagram and LinkedIn and find out about the Burn In Framework here: https://www.burninnotout.com/the-burn-in-model

Thank you to this season’s sponsors:

Terri Wyse & Rachel Helm
They are offering EBSA support through webinars and workshops.Podcast listeners receive £5 off using this code UNTYPICALPARENT5

The sponsors of this season of the podcast are Terri Wyse https://www.instagram.com/wyseinclusion/and Rachel Helm https://www.instagram.com/helmeducationconsultancy/. Please do reach out to them if you are supporting a child or young person struggling to access school.

Support the show

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text

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 Joanne Parry, alongside bestselling author Elle McNicoll, whose books have become deeply meaningful for many neurodivergent children and families.

Joanne shares the powerful moment her daughter first saw herself reflected in A Kind of Spark, and why Elle’s stories have become part of her family’s “quiet rebellion”, buying the books for schools, libraries and friends so more children can feel understood.

Elle talks about growing up as a high-masking autistic girl, the lack of representation she experienced, and how that inspired her to write stories where neurodivergent children are fully-rounded, loved, complicated and heroic, not reduced to stereotypes or “lessons”.

This is a warm, honest and hopeful conversation about identity, belonging and the life-changing power of books.

Books Mentioned

• A Kind of Spark
• Show Us Who You Are
• Unapologetic Love Story

About Elle McNicoll

Elle McNicoll is a bestselling and award-winning autistic author whose books centre neurodivergent young people with authenticity, warmth and humour. Her stories have resonated with families around the world and A Kind of Spark was adapted for television by the BBC.

You can find Elle and her books here:
Elle McNicoll Official Website
Instagram

Thank you to this season’s sponsors:

Terri Wyse & Rachel Helm
They are offering EBSA support through webinars and workshops.Podcast listeners receive £5 off using this code UNTYPICALPARENT5

Connect with Joanne & Family Avenues

Family Avenues

Support the show