Eliza Fricker on Neurodiversity and the Power of Visual Storytelling

In this bibliotherapy podcast interview, I interview author-illustrator Eliza Fricker (Missing the Mark) on neurodiversity, mental health, and how her daughter’s school breakdown led her to begin illustrating their experiences to process feelings of overwhelm, rage, disappointment, guilt, and isolation, later sharing the work online under a pseudonym and publishing the Sunday Times bestselling book Can’t Not Won’t. She explains how giving children labels can imply choice and describes the judgment and shame parents face, while advocating for more education, connection, and meaningful, flexible, interest-based learning rather than a target-driven curriculum and SEND categorisation. Fricker shares her own neurodiversity exploration through her latest memoir Could Try Harder (out on Thursday 14 May 2027, and available at all good bookstores). She references polyvagal theory and masking in school meetings, outlines PDA (also called pervasive drive for autonomy) strategies, and recommends Letters to My Weird Sisters by Joanne Limburg and How to Be Autistic by Charlotte Amelia Poe.00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:19 From Textiles to Illustration04:43 Can't Not Won't Explained08:03 Self Discovery and Memoir11:09 Could Try Harder Preview12:51 Why School Needs Change14:41 Rethinking SEND Support17:06 Meaningful Learning 19:48 Power of Visual Narratives22:21 Illustration Process and Space24:08 Understanding PDA Strategies27:33 Self Care for Parents28:17 Books That Changed Eliza31:34 Book Launch Plans and ClosingYou can explore all of Eliza's other books on autism and PDA here.Email us at [email protected] Support the showDon't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack.If you'd like a bibliotherapist in your pocket then you might find my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading a helpful companion.******************************************************************************************Get 10% off with code PODCAST on the following:Online Bibliotherapy CoursesPersonalised Book PrescriptionsBibliotherapy SessionsYou can also follow us on your preferred platform using the links below:InstagramFacebook