{"id":2499,"date":"2026-07-08T14:24:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T13:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/autism\/?p=2499"},"modified":"2026-07-08T14:24:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T13:24:49","slug":"september-2026-wellbeing-hub-talk-eliza-fricker-rethinking-struggle-expectations-and-neurodivergence-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/autism\/september-2026-wellbeing-hub-talk-eliza-fricker-rethinking-struggle-expectations-and-neurodivergence-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"September 2026- Wellbeing Hub Talk: Eliza Fricker: Rethinking Struggle, Expectations and Neurodivergence in Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

Date<\/strong>:\u00a0 Tuesday 15th September 2026<\/span>
\n<\/span>Time<\/strong>: 19:00 \u2013 20:30\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>Location<\/strong>: Online<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

https:\/\/www.eventbrite.co.uk\/e\/rethinking-struggle-expectations-and-neurodivergence-in-children-tickets-1993444160145?aff=oddtdtcreator<\/a><\/p>\n

Content<\/strong><\/p>\n

What if the problem isn\u2019t that a child isn\u2019t trying hard enough\u2026
\nbut that we\u2019ve misunderstood what\u2019s really going on?<\/p>\n

Many children grow up hearing phrases like \u201cyou could try harder\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

In this thoughtful and validating webinar, illustrator and author Eliza Fricker explores the hidden experiences behind \u201cstruggle,\u201d drawing on themes from her new book Could Try Harder.<\/p>\n

This session invites you to pause, reflect, and reconsider what \u201ceffort\u201d really means and how we can better support children who are so often misunderstood.<\/p>\n

Please note: This webinar contains more adult themes so may be best for mature audiences (age 14 plus)<\/p>\n

About Eliza:<\/strong><\/p>\n

ELIZA FRICKER is an author & illustrator, and an advocate & consultant for PDA, autism and learning.<\/p>\n

She has published several books, including A Different Kind of Parenting, the Sunday Times Bestselling title Can\u2019t Not Won\u2019t, and the acclaimed autobiographical Thumbsucker.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

About the Wellbeing Hub:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

If you have any questions about the Hub or any of our events, please contact cfaevents@reading.ac.uk<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n

Please read the Wellbeing Hub Events Terms<\/a><\/p>\n

The Centre for Autism Wellbeing Hub is very grateful for the support of our donors, whose funds make our work possible.<\/strong>If you would like to make a donation, please click the link \u2013 <\/strong>CfA Wellbeing Hub Donations<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Registering for this event via the Eventbrite website means that your personal data will be processed by Eventbrite, Inc. in accordance with their privacy policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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