Date: Tuesday 15th September 2026
Time: 19:00 – 20:30
Location: Online
Content
What if the problem isn’t that a child isn’t trying hard enough…
but that we’ve misunderstood what’s really going on?
Many children grow up hearing phrases like “you could try harder” at school, at home, and from within themselves. But for neurodivergent children, these expectations can mask a very different reality: one of overwhelm, confusion, and quietly doing their absolute best just to get through the day.
In this thoughtful and validating webinar, illustrator and author Eliza Fricker explores the hidden experiences behind “struggle,” drawing on themes from her new book Could Try Harder.
This session invites you to pause, reflect, and reconsider what “effort” really means and how we can better support children who are so often misunderstood.
Please note: This webinar contains more adult themes so may be best for mature audiences (age 14 plus)
About Eliza:
ELIZA FRICKER is an author & illustrator, and an advocate & consultant for PDA, autism and learning.
She has published several books, including A Different Kind of Parenting, the Sunday Times Bestselling title Can’t Not Won’t, and the acclaimed autobiographical Thumbsucker.
Eliza offers a range of support for parents and educators on navigating autism and education, including one-to-one consultations, webinars, presentations, a podcast, and the enduring original Missing the Mark illustrations & blog.
About the Wellbeing Hub:
The Wellbeing Hub is a new initiative, funded by University of Reading Alumni. The aim of the Hub is to bring together autistic people, their families, practitioners and researchers to co-produce and deliver neurodiversity-affirming activities that support autistic young people and their families to thrive and flourish.
If you have any questions about the Hub or any of our events, please contact cfaevents@reading.ac.uk
All previous talks given by the University of Reading’s Centre for Autism Wellbeing Hub public speakers can be found on the Wellbeing Hub’s YouTube channel
Please read the Wellbeing Hub Events Terms
The Centre for Autism Wellbeing Hub is very grateful for the support of our donors, whose funds make our work possible.If you would like to make a donation, please click the link – CfA Wellbeing Hub Donations
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