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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