The Untypical Parent™ Podcast

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A one-legged goose might not be the hero you’d expect… but maybe that’s exactly the point.
This episode is part of something new I’m trying this season.
As someone who’s dyslexic and has never really connected with traditional reading, I wanted to find a different way to explore books. So I’m inviting authors, parents and professionals to come on and share stories in a way that feels more accessible, especially for those of us who don’t see ourselves as “readers.”
In this episode, I’m joined by author Ryan Ritter, who shares the story behind his children’s book Frederick the One-Legged Goose, and how it all started with one little boy going through cancer treatment.
What began as a way to help a single child understand difference, change, and uncertainty quickly grew into something much bigger.
We talk about:
 Why representation and disability awareness matter from a young age 
 How stories can shape empathy, acceptance, and belonging 
 The power of seeing difference as a strength, not something to fix 
 Why this book isn’t just for children with disabilities… but for every child 
If we want children to grow into adults who accept difference…
 we have to start with the stories we give them.

🔗 Links & Resources
 Find Frederick the One-Legged Goose on Amazon and Waterstones
 Follow Ryan on Instagram: @RyanThe_Author_ 
 Keep an eye out for the next book: Frederick’s Hop

Link below to go straight to Insta
The Untypical Parent Podcast
The Untypical Podcaster
Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I specialise in burnout protection, event accessibility and inclusion, and supervision, with a love of podcasting.
🔗 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.

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text
One meeting can spiral into weeks of stress when you’re neurodivergent and constantly second-guessing what you said, how you came across, or what everyone “really meant.” Dr Jay Spence, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of Avro AI, talks about a different way to look at communication breakdowns: most damage comes from misunderstood difference, not bad intent.

Elaine Lee, Avro’s co-founder, shares the story behind the product. After years in high-performing tech roles, repeated burnout, and a late diagnosis of ADHD, dyslexia, and autism, she realised how often people are judged for signals that simply don’t translate across brains. Her reflections on masking, workplace friction, and repairing relationships through better understanding shape the values behind Avro AI.

We dig into what an AI meeting assistant can actually do in real life: sitting alongside Zoom or Teams, creating accurate records, then helping you prep, rephrase, and debrief with less guesswork. We also tackle the hard question head-on: does this kind of tool support authentic communication, or does it push people toward neurotypical “norms”? Jay explains why choice matters, and why the goal is a bridge, not a makeover. 

To connect with Jay and Elaine you can find them here 
And through LinkedIn
Elaine Lee
Jay Spence

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.
08.07.26  School webinar
02.09.26 Parent/carer webinar
16.09.26 Joint Workshop
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

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I specialise in burnout protection, event accessibility and inclusion, and supervision, with a love of podcasting.
🔗 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.

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text
Do you ever feel like reading just… isn’t built for you?
In this solo episode, I talk about my honest experience with dyslexia, distraction, and why traditional reading has always felt like hard work rather than relaxation. From unfinished books to skipping straight to the ending, I reflect on the frustration and the quiet sense of missing out.
But this episode isn’t about giving up on books. It’s about finding a different way in.
So I've had a brand new idea.

I'm inviting listeners, parents, professionals, and authors to come onto the podcast for short 5–10 minute chats to share books they love, without spoilers, so more people who might not be typical readers, can discover stories and ideas in a way that actually works for them.
Message on the link at the top or on Insta HERE
Link below to go straight to Insta
The Untypical Parent Podcast
The Untypical Podcaster
Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I specialise in burnout protection, event accessibility and inclusion, and supervision, with a love of podcasting.
🔗 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.

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text
In this episode of The Untypical Parent Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Kim Collett for a really honest conversation about the reality of parenting, and why knowing the “right” thing doesn’t mean it’s easy to do it.
Kim has a PhD in inclusive education and lectures on special educational needs and disabilities. She also lives in a neurodivergent household. Together, we explore the gap between theory and real life, and why even professionals with years of knowledge and experience still struggle with the day-to-day reality of parenting.
We talk about school experiences, masking, anxiety, and the pressure to “fit in,” as well as the guilt so many parents carry when they feel like they’re getting it wrong.
This episode is not about fixing everything.
It’s about understanding why it feels so hard, and reminding you that you’re not the only one.
A gentle reminder from this episode
There is no perfect way to parent.
 There is no single strategy that works for every child.
And you are not failing because it feels hard.

I mention Brene Brown and empathy vs sympathy here's the link to watch it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZBTYViDPlQ&list=PLOol2H2m6gNOdrOnWV_lJ3dDslWSqtzqQ&index=1

🔗 Connect with Dr Kim Collett
You can find Kim sharing more about inclusion, neurodivergence and education on:
 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr_kim_collett/
 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kim-collett-fhea-41637537b/

Thank you to this season’s sponsors:
Terri Wyse
👉 https://www.instagram.com/wyseinclusion/
Rachel Helm
👉 https://www.instagram.com/helmeducationconsultancy/
If you’re supporting a child or young person struggling to access school, do reach out to them.

Link below to go straight to Insta
The Untypical Parent Podcast
The Untypical Podcaster
Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I specialise in burnout protection, event accessibility and inclusion, and supervision, with a love of podcasting.
🔗 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.

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text
Over 170,000 children in England were severely absent from school last year, according to the Department for Education.
Behind that number are families, schools, and children all trying to navigate something incredibly complex.
In this episode, I’m joined by Terri Wyse (Wise Inclusion) and Rachel Helm (Helm Education Consultancy), who are supporting the podcast this season, to talk about emotionally based school anxiety (EBSA).
Here's the important part:
Parents and schools are often on the same side
But the system can push them apart
We talk about:
 What EBSA really is (and why language matters) 
 Why “just make them go to school” isn’t the answer 
 The reality for families trying to keep their children safe 
 The pressures schools are under behind the scenes 
 How relationships can break down, and how to rebuild them 
This isn’t about blame.
It’s about understanding, collaboration, and finding a way forward — together.
Together, they are offering webinars and workshops focused on EBSA for both parents and professionals.
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
This episode is supported by:
Terri Wyse – Wise Inclusion Terri Wyse
https://www.instagram.com/wyseinclusion/
Rachel Helm – Helm Education Consultancy
https://www.instagram.com/helmeducationconsultancy/

Link below to go straight to Insta
The Untypical Parent Podcast
The Untypical Podcaster
Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I specialise in burnout protection, event accessibility and inclusion, and supervision, with a love of podcasting.
🔗 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.