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In this episode I'm joined by Julie Bevan founder of DotKids where we explore creativity.

Creativity often feels like something we leave behind in childhood.

Somewhere between school expectations, work, parenting and the pressure to be productive, many of us stop creating altogether. But creativity isn’t just about producing a perfect picture or being “good at art”. It’s about expression, regulation, confidence and wellbeing.

In this episode, I’m joined by Julie Bevan from Dot Kids, an organisation using creativity to support children’s confidence, emotional expression and wellbeing.

We talk about why creativity matters for both children and parents, how schools sometimes shift the focus from exploration to perfection, and why many adults lose their connection to creativity as they grow older.

We also explore how simple creative activities — even doodling or making marks on paper — can support mental health, self-regulation and family connection.

If you’ve ever thought “I’m not creative” or feel like you lost that part of yourself somewhere along the way, this episode might help you see creativity a little differently.

In this episode we talk about:

• Why creativity supports wellbeing for both kids and parents
• How perfection and outcomes can take the joy out of art
• The role creativity plays in emotional expression and regulation
• Why many adults stop creating as they get older
• Simple ways families can bring creativity back into everyday life
• The work Julie is doing through Dot Kids

You might even feel inspired to pick up a paintbrush, doodle on a page, or simply try something creative again.

Links and resources

DotKids
Julie Bevan – LinkedIn

www.dotkids.co.uk

Julie mentions two artists in particular during the episode they are Yayoi Kasama and Frida Kahlo

If you enjoy the podcast, don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.

I love to know how and what you do that's creative. Lets build a bank of ideas of creative things we can do as parents. Have fun!!

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

In this episode of The Untypical Parent Podcast, I’m joined by Chrissa Wadlow from Sunshine Support, and this one turns into a proper real-life chat (the kind I know so many of us need).

Chrissa shares her journey as a SEND parent, including the very real reality of battling systems, being judged, and the toll that takes on your health and your whole family.

From there we get into boundaries, not just “rules for kids”, but the boundaries we need as parents to stay well. We talk about how to hold boundaries at home, how to protect yourself in meetings, and why noticing your nervous system signs (and stepping out when you need to) is a skill worth practising.

We cover:

• The trauma and exhaustion of fighting for provision
• Boundaries as protection (not punishment)
• Teamwork at home + sharing the load
• Handling meetings without reacting in the moment
• Modelling emotions and recovery for our kids

Links:

Sunshine Support + Sunshine Academy
Chrissa’s podcast: Sip of Sunshine

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

Living in a neurodivergent family can feel like walking barefoot through a dark room full of Lego.

In this episode, I share a powerful metaphor from listener Lindsay Morris, and then take you into something very real happening in my own family right now.

After four years of recovery, support and rebuilding trust through an EOTAS package (Education Otherwise Than At School), my son is considering returning to school.

And I am terrified.

Not because he isn’t capable.

But because for many neurodivergent children, autistic, ADHD, PDA, school trauma doesn’t disappear overnight. Children do not go from “I can’t cope” to “I’m fixed.”

There is no switch.

In this episode I talk about:

• The Lego-in-the-dark metaphor for parenting a neurodivergent child
• Why safe circles matter more than perfect solutions
• EOTAS as structured recovery, not failure
• The fear of losing EHCP support too soon
• Why graded transitions matter
• The all-or-nothing approach many families face
• How to know when it’s time to take the next step
• Making leaps without losing the safety net

This is an honest episode about risk, recovery, fear and hope.

If you’ve ever sat at 3am wondering whether you’re making the right decision for your child, this one’s for you.

There is hope.
But there has to be flexibility.

If this resonates, please don't hesitate reach out, you are not doing this alone.

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.