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's behaviour as defiance and started understanding it as communication. Mark talks about how he learned to meet his children where they are rather than forcing them to meet expectations.

We talk about the complicated emotions that come with diagnosis (both relief and grief), the freedom that comes from creating a home where neurodivergent kids can truly unmask, and why finding your tribe can be the key.

Listen now, and discover how letting go of "perfect parent" ideals might be exactly what your family needs.

You can find Mark on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuroshambles/
And Neuroshambles podcast: https://www.neuroshambles.com

We spoke about the book The Explosive Child by Ross Greene and the support group that Mark found so helpful was mASCot: https://www.facebook.com/ascmascot

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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 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 please email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com

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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
• Written plans take pressure off our working memory, especially during stressful moments
• Types of plans include burnout recovery, community outings, safety during dysregulation, and exit strategies
• Planning ahead helps manage the constant "what if" thinking that comes with additional needs parenting
• Having plans doesn't mean being rigid - it means being prepared while remaining adaptable
• When we're in stress responses (fight/flight/freeze), our brains can't plan effectively
• Parents are the family linchpin - if we don't take care of ourselves, everyone suffers
• Start small with planning rather than trying to plan everything at once
• Sometimes we need help creating plans when we're overwhelmed, and that's not failure

If this episode had you going "that's so me" or feel a little less alone, why not buy me a coffee? Just click the link in the show notes. It's a small way to show your support and keep this podcast going.

https://buymeacoffee.com/the.untypical.ot

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 find all my details on Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/the_untypical_ot

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com. I love to hear from listeners about the podcast and any ideas for the future.

Take care

Liz

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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 remove her daughter from mainstream education to protect her mental health.

We unpack:
💥 Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
💥 Advocacy for SEN children and neurodivergent families
💥 Clare’s experience with ADHD, and raising neurodivergent kids
💥 The problem with current attendance policies and the push for punitive "solutions"
💥 How empowerment starts with informed parenting and challenging outdated systems

Clare also opens up about masking, burnout, and the importance of showing up authentically—as a parent, practitioner, and person. Her lived experience and fierce advocacy are a lifeline for families stuck in survival mode.

🔥 If you're a parent, educator, or practitioner walking the line between compassion and bureaucracy—this episode is essential listening.

You can find Clare here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restlessmindsuk
Website: https://restlessmindsuk.org/


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 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 please email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com

Click here to text the show

Support the show