The Untypical Parent™ Podcast

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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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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/
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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.
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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
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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, financial pressure, chronic pain, and emergency spinal surgery collided, and how a late ADHD diagnosis finally gave a clearer map of why things happened they way they did.

As parents, many of us carry stress that makes quick coping tools feel tempting. We explore the link between neurodiversity, depression, and addiction, plus what actually helps an ADHD brain feel regulated day to day: work that fits, creativity, music, and a movement-based mindfulness ritual through Pilates and yoga.

You don't want to miss this one. 
You can find Chris on:
Instagram: The After Party Invite
Facebook: The After Party
We spoke about AA if you need further information you can find that here

Thank you to this season’s sponsors:
Terri Wyse & Rachel Helm
Together, they are offering webinars and workshops focused on EBSA for both parents and professionals
 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.
Link below to go straight to Insta
The Untypical Parent Podcast
The Untypical Podcaster
Support the show