The Untypical Parent™ Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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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 parenting, discovering not only hers but her children's neurotype, from juggling work and parenting, to burnout and then recovery.

Helen's story begins with a self-confessed perfectionist approach to parenthood, to her noticing the diverging paths between her experience of parenting and those of other parents, whose challenges seemed to ease while hers intensified. Helen's experience ultimately led her to create her business helping parents in neurodivergent families find employment that accommodates their complex lives.

Helen brings a unique perspective to the workforce challenges facing parents and carers in neurodivergent households, highlighting the valuable transferable skills parents develop through advocacy, from research abilities to negotiation tactics honed in countless school meetings. Her practical advice includes understanding workplace rights like emergency leave for dependents, separating immediate crisis management from long-term career planning, and building essential support systems.

Ready to transform your approach to balancing career and family? Connect with Helen's free resources and community support to discover work that truly works for your neurodivergent family life.

You can find Helen on: 

Facebook, LinkedIn and her links page

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 we support parents, everyone benefits. 

To connect with me you'll find all my links on Linktree:

The Untypical OT Linktree

If you would like to contact me about the podcast please email me at:

contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I support parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to protect against burnout and go from overwhelmed to more moments of ease.

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

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com.

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

Welcome to The Untypical OT Talks to Herself—the mini podcast for typically untypical parents! Bite-sized episodes packed with real talk about parenting in additional needs families. No fluff, no judgment—just honest conversations about the stuff that truly matters.

💡 This week’s episode: My top tip for managing burnout, overwhelm, and stress at work. This also works at home. It's all about the boundaries! Do you know where your boundaries are? Are they hard boundaries or flexible ones? How easy are they to put in place? Join me for a mini podcast to think about your boundaries. 

🎧 Are you ready? Come join me.

🔗 To connect with Liz, find all the details on her 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

Topics: If you have a request for a particular topic when it comes to parenting in additional needs families, please just drop the podcast an email at contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com


Take care

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I support parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to protect against burnout and go from overwhelmed to more moments of ease.

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

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com.

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

The Untypical OT Talks to Herself - Where did it all begin?

Episode 1

Join Liz, a dyslexic parent and occupational therapist, as she shares her experience of parenting in a neurodiverse family, navigating personal and professional challenges, and supporting parents and carers of children with additional needs. These solo episodes are part of the The Untypical OT Podcast which include inspiring guest interviews, where Liz talks about topics like parental burnout, navigating systems, embracing neurodivergence, and rethinking behaviour.

This podcast isn’t about perfection—it’s about real conversations, and practical strategies to help parents feel less alone and more confident in doing things differently.

This episode is all about where did The Untypical start.

You can find Liz on all the socials check out her Linktree account for all the links here.

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I support parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to protect against burnout and go from overwhelmed to more moments of ease.

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

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com.

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

Podcast Series 1: Are You the Perfect Parent?

Episode 2: Cheryl Warren from Aperion Training

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome Cheryl Warren from Aperion Training. Cheryl brings a wealth of personal and professional insight as she shares her experiences of parenting in a neurodivergent household. She opens up about the challenges and joys of her parenting journey and provides valuable perspectives on how early years settings can build strong partnerships with parents of neurodivergent children. This conversation is filled with heartfelt reflections and practical advice that will resonate with educators, parents, and anyone passionate about creating inclusive spaces.

Connect with Cheryl and Aperion Training on social media:

Cheryl's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aperiontraining

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I support parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to protect against burnout and go from overwhelmed to more moments of ease.

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

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com.

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

Podcast Series 1: Are You the Perfect Parent?

Episode 1: Badger Education

In this episode, we’re joined by Charlotte from Badger Education, who shares her journey of parenting in a neurodivergent household. Charlotte dives into her personal experiences, reflecting on how her parenting has influenced her teaching methods and how her role as an educator has shaped her approach to parenting.

Join us as Charlotte offers insights, practical advice, and heartfelt stories that resonate with parents navigating similar paths.

Connect with Charlotte and Badger Education on social media:

Facebook: Badger Education - Inclusive Support

Instagram: @badger.education

Charlotte also has two fantastic free resources to support parents and educators:

https://badger-education.co.uk/5-Achievable-Adaptations https://badger-education.co.uk/calminthechaosofchristmas

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I support parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to protect against burnout and go from overwhelmed to more moments of ease.

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

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com.

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

Just a quick welcome and explanation.

Series 1 - Are you the perfect parent

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I support parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to protect against burnout and go from overwhelmed to more moments of ease.

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

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com.

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

What happens when we stop trying to fit neurodivergent children into a neurotypical world? In this eye-opening conversation, Helen Daniel—author, late-diagnosed neurodivergent, and sensory expert, —challenges everything we've been taught about "perfect parenting" and reveals how societal expectations create unnecessary struggles for neurodivergent families.

Helen shares her theory of neurosensory divergence, which sees autism not as a deficit but as sensory abundance—a richer way of experiencing the world that brings unique ways of learning and thinking, moving away from stigma and highlighting the strengths of neurodivergent minds.

She dives into the everyday struggles neurodivergent kids face in schools, where traditional methods often don’t work for different sensory styles. Whether a child focuses deeply on one sense or takes in everything at once, both can feel out of place in typical classrooms.

This conversation is full of practical insights for parents, teachers, and professionals alike. By understanding sensory needs, we can create better learning environments, support self-advocacy, and build a world that embraces neurodivergence instead of trying to "fix" it.

Helen's book Neurosensory Divergence: Autistic Languages: A Roadmap To An Equitable Life For Autistic Children, is available to buy. 

You can find Helen on her social media platforms: 

Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

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 we support parents, everyone benefits. 

To connect with me you'll find all my links on Linktree:

The Untypical OT Linktree

If you would like to contact me about the podcast please email me at:

Helllo@the-untypical-ot.co.uk

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I support parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to protect against burnout and go from overwhelmed to more moments of ease.

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

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com.

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

Welcome to The Untypical OT Talks to Herself—the mini podcast for typically untypical parents! Bite-sized episodes packed with real talk about parenting in additional needs families. No fluff, no judgment—just honest conversations about the stuff that truly matters.

💡 This week’s episode: My top tip for managing burnout, overwhelm, and stress in the family home. If you’re feeling stretched thin, this one's for you!

🎧 Are you ready? Come join me.

🔗 To connect with Liz, find all the details on her 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

Topics: If you have a request for a particular topic when it comes to parenting in additional needs families please just drop the podcast an email at hello@the-untpical-ot.co.uk

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I support parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to protect against burnout and go from overwhelmed to more moments of ease.

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

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com.

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

The Untypical OT Talks with Carla Berlin from Carla’s Classroom

In this episode, I sit down with the insightful and passionate Carla Berlin, the founder of Carla’s Classroom. We cover so much in our conversation—cultural influences on parenting, the role of step-parents, recognising neurodivergence in children when they are older, and Carla’s own personal experiences of being parented.

Carla brings her deep understanding and lived experience to the table, sharing valuable perspectives on how cultural background shapes parenting styles and expectations. We also explore the unique challenges and joys of blended families, diving into the complexities of step-parenting.

Expect real talk, powerful insights, and plenty of relatable moments as we navigate these important topics together.

🔗 Connect with Carla on:

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 we support parents, everyone benefits. Don't miss my free video and handout called "Worn Out or Burnt Out"—a guide to help spot the signs of parental burnout.
👉 Download it here

🔗 To connect with me, you find all my details on Linktree:
The Untypical OT Linktree

☕ If you’d like to support the podcast, you can buy me a coffee here:
Buy Me a Coffee

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please email at:

hello@the-untypical-ot.co.uk

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I support parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to protect against burnout and go from overwhelmed to more moments of ease.

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

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com.

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

The Untypical OT Talks with Teo from SendWise HubIn this episode, I sit down with the no-nonsense, straight-talking Teo from SendWise Hub to dive into the messy, beautiful, and often chaotic reality of parenting. Teo shares candid moments—when she got it right, when she got it wrong, and why the idea of a "perfect parent" is pure fiction. We talk about the highs, the lows, and everything in between, with plenty of laughs and hard-hitting truths along the way. Expect honesty, wisdom, and a reminder that doing your best is enough.🔗 Connect with Teo on:Facebook: SendWise Hub Instagram: @sendwisehubMy is Liz and I am The Untypical OT. I work with parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to support them with burnout, mental health and wellbeing. When we support parents everyone benefits. Don't miss my free video and handout called "Worn Out of Burnt Out". A guide to help spot the signs of parental burnout. https://the-untypical-ot.co.uk/worn-out-or-burnt-out🔗 To connect with Liz, find all the details on her 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

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I support parents and carers in additional needs and neurodivergent families to protect against burnout and go from overwhelmed to more moments of ease.

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

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com.