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Part 2

Ever wondered what it's like navigating complex systems with dyslexia while trying to advocate for your children's needs? The mental gymnastics can be exhausting, yet this challenge remains largely invisible in discussions about parenting.

When a dyslexic parent faces walls of text in emails, dense reports, or complicated forms, what neurotypical brains process effortlessly becomes a cognitive marathon. As I share in this episode, my working memory operates on a "postage stamp" while others enjoy an entire A4 page—meaning information gets displaced quickly, requiring multiple readings and creative workarounds. The constant mental translation from written word to usable information creates an enormous unseen burden.

The emotional toll runs deep too. Many of us hide our dyslexia from professionals due to lifetime fears of being judged or underestimated. I candidly discuss how I went through an entire tribunal process without disclosing my dyslexia—a decision I now question. Could accommodations have made that journey less arduous? Simple changes like bullet-pointed information, clear summaries, and mixed communication formats (both written and verbal) dramatically improve accessibility, not just for dyslexic parents but for everyone navigating additional needs systems.

Despite these challenges, dyslexic thinking brings valuable skills to the table. Our natural problem-solving abilities and outside-the-box thinking become superpowers when advocating for children within rigid systems. We develop creative workarounds that often benefit the whole family.

Whether you're a dyslexic parent seeking validation, a professional wanting to improve accessibility, or simply curious about neurodivergent experiences, this episode offers practical insights into making systems work better for diverse brains. Join me in exploring how dyslexia shapes every aspect of additional needs parenting—and why those postage-stamp brains deserve more recognition and support.

Support the show

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 parents are supported, 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 and join the mailing list please email me at: contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com

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

What happens when we throw away the parenting rulebook and embrace our authentic, imperfect selves? In this fascinating conversation with Jen Wilson (aka Irregular Jen), we explore the radical idea that perfect parenting is not only impossible—it's not even desirable.

Jen, founder of the International Day of Consent and self-described "rebel with a cause," challenges conventional parenting wisdom with refreshing honesty. "Anyone who claims they're the perfect anything can get lost," they declare early in our discussion, setting the stage for a liberating conversation about parenting beyond rigid authority.

We discuss consent. Far from the limited understanding of consent as merely sexual permission, Jen reveals how consent touches every aspect of family life, from what we eat to how we communicate boundaries.

It's a must listen for parents feeling trapped in cycles of perfectionism or overwhelmed by societal expectations; this episode offers permission to embrace your wonderfully irregular self. After all, what better gift could we give our children than modelling authentic, imperfect humanity?

You can find Jenn on social media;

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IrregularJennPage

Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/irregularjenn/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@irregularjenn

Jenn also has a new membership launching 'The Irregular Membership', you can find more information here: https://bemore.irregular.org.uk/membership

Support the show

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 parents are supported, 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 and join the mailing list please email me at: contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com

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

On this episode of The Untypical Parent, I’m sharing something personal about what it’s really like to parent with dyslexia. This is Part 1 of a two-part deep dive, and it's one I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

What’s in store?

Dyslexia touches so many areas of my life, far beyond reading and writing. As a parent, it shows up in ways that are often invisible—but very real. In this episode, I open up about my own experiences and how I’ve learned to adapt, talk openly with my kids, and build systems that work for us.

I talk about:

The moment my kids’ literacy skills outpaced mine—and how I handled that shift

Why logistics, memory, and planning can feel so overwhelming

How we’ve built a family culture around teamwork, not perfection

The power of being honest with my children

Letting go of shame and finding strength in difference

If you're a dyslexic parent, think you might be, or support families like mine, this episode is for you.

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.

If this episode made you laugh out loud or feel a little less alone, why not buy me a coffee? It's a small way to show your support and keep this podcast going.

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

🔗 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 email at:
contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com.

I love to hear from listeners about the podcast and any ideas for the future.

Take care

Liz

Support the show

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 parents are supported, 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 and join the mailing list please email me at: contact@untypicalparentpodcast.com