THUMBSUCKER An illustrated journey through an undiagnosed autistic childhood

Spoilt. Weirdo. Fussy. Hypochondriac. Chatterbox.

Eliza spent her childhood being told she was all of these until her autism diagnosis as an adult revealed why she had experienced the world so differently. But what does it mean to grow up knowing you are different, misunderstood, 'difficult'?

Funny, witty and tender, Sunday Times bestselling author and illustrator Eliza Fricker, uses her own memories of growing up in the 80s to explore how neurodiversity presents itself in everyday life and what neurodivergent children really need from the people who love them.

WRITTEN & ILLUSTRATED BY ELIZA FRICKER.
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2023.
JESSICA KINGSLEY PUBLISHERS.

Thumbsucker is a deeply moving and powerful book about what life can be like for children who don't quite fit inside society's rigid boxes...I adored it.

Caro Giles
Author of "Twelve Moons"

A warm, funny and thought provoking account of growing up and feeling different.

Georgia Pritchett
Writer and co-executive producer of "Succession"

Eliza Fricker shows us the complicated and often painful experiences that too-easy labels allow the people around us to dismiss, when what is needed is understanding.

Joanne Limburg
Author of "Letters to my Weird Sisters"

CAN'T NOT WON'T A story about a child who couldn't go to school

Eliza Fricker gets it. Her compelling, hard-hitting and irreverently humorous illustrations follow a family through the early days of school avoidance, the process of accessing support and the challenges of coping in the meantime. Can't Not Won't illuminates the absurdity and frustrations that often arise when dealing with health, social and educational systems, and will help any parent in the same boat feel seen. This guide acts as a way to communicate these difficult circumstances with others.

Wonderfully relatable, the book also includes written guidance for parents and professionals on what works best when it comes to managing school avoidance.

Can't Not Won't was an instant entry in the Sunday Times Bestseller List.

WRITTEN & ILLUSTRATED BY ELIZA FRICKER.
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 2023.
JESSICA KINGSLEY PUBLISHERS.

Such an important book for families but also education and social care professionals - an insight into a slice of life they never imagined.

Cathy Wassell
CEO of "Autistic Girls Network" charity

I cannot imagine any family in this situation, who cannot recognise this painful and often harmful, journey. Beautifully conveyed in so few words.

Lisa Cherry
Researcher & Consultant in Trauma Informed System Change

Eliza's words and thoughts deeply resonate with me as a parent. Each afterword beautifully articulates what a good school that values autistic pupils would do and importantly addresses how the issue can be carelessly avoided.

Dr. Ruth Moyse
Director of "AT-Autism"

THE FAMILY EXPERIENCE OF PDA An illustrated guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance

Eliza Fricker describes her perfectly imperfect experience of raising a PDA child, with societal judgements and internal pressures, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, resentful and alone. This book's comedic illustrations explain these challenging situations and feelings in a way that words simply cannot, will bring some much-needed levity back into PDA parenting. Humorous anecdotes with a compassionate tone remind parents that they are not alone, and they're doing a great job. If children are safe, happy, and you leave the house on time, who cares about some smelly socks?

A light-hearted and digestible guide to being a PDA parent covering everything from tolerance levels, relationships and meltdowns to collaboration, flexibility, and self care to dip in and out as your schedule allows to help get to grips with this complex condition.

This book is an essential read for any parent with a PDA child, to help better understand your child, build support systems and carve out some essential self care time guilt free.

WRITTEN & ILLUSTRATED BY ELIZA FRICKER.
FOREWORD BY RUTH FIDLER.
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2021.
JESSICA KINGSLEY PUBLISHERS.

Perfectly imperfect, quirky and always en pointe, Eliza will make you nod and smile with her descriptions and illustrations whilst also providing you with a tonne of practical ideas without once seeming preachy

Dr Pooky Knightsmith
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Expert

We learn the power of softening the edges of restrictive parenting...We learn that a gentler less demanding, accepting, and positive playful parental strategy will lead to more cooperative behaviours and mutually rewarding co-regulatory interactions.

Stephen W. Porges, PhD
Professor Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The Educator's Experience of Pathological Demand Avoidance Bookcover

THE EDUCATOR'S EXPERIENCE OF PATHOLOGICAL DEMAND AVOIDANCE An illustrated guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance and learning

During Laura Kerbey's time teaching autistic children, she had a sudden realisation that those with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) are children like no other! None of her tried and tested autism strategies would work to help them focus or learn and most of her time was spent wondering, what am I doing wrong?

If you feel the same, this short, easy-to-read guide is here to teach you everything you need to know from one educator to another. With an introduction to what PDA is followed by PDA tailored advice on how to connect with your student and create an autonomous, spontaneous environment that is personalised for you both, this guide is here to ensure that you and your PDA student thrive!

Illustrated by the popular Eliza Fricker and packed with entertaining anecdotes (including one about Jabba the Hut's poo), this go-to-guide contains everything you need to start implementing PDA friendly learning to help you connect with your student and help them make the most of their learning experience.

The Educator's Experience of Pathological Demand Avoidance was awarded a "Highly Commended" honor in the SEND category of the Teach Secondary Awards 2023.

WRITTEN BY LAURA KERBY.
ILLUSTRATED BY ELIZA FRICKER.
PUBLISHED APRIL 2023.
JESSICA KINGSLEY PUBLISHERS.

This positive and lively guide to working with children with PDA will become an essential part of every educator's library. Easy to dip into, entertaining and yet also full of important truths.

Dr Naomi Fisher
clinical psychologist

A really clear picture of what it is like to have PDA and some excellent ideas of how to help in school and college. Every teacher should own a copy of this book.

Caitlin
16 year old PDA'er

Because of the lived experience and personal stories, (both of successes and failures), and the language used, (omg plus those awesome images!), this is an incredibly important tool in supporting those in education to begin to reframe and rethink their approaches and education styles.

Tigger Pritchard
Autistic/PDA Advocate, Consultant and Trainer

of great help to educators who are new to PDA. The writing is digestible, which combined with the format’s ‘on point’ illustrations, makes for a very enjoyable and insightful read.

Rebecca Leek
Teach Secondary Awards

Nurturing Your Austistic Young Person bookcover

NURTURING YOUR AUTISTIC YOUNG PERSON A Parent’s Handbook to Supporting Newly Diagnosed Teens and Pre-Teens

As the parent of a child recognised as autistic as a pre-teen or teen, it can often feel difficult to find the answers you need. Children who make it to late primary/early secondary age before being picked up by the system tend to present with traits that are harder to spot, meaning it can be harder to engage professionals in the diagnostic process and gather the necessary support.

Cathy Wassell, CEO of Autistic Girls Network, has tailored this handbook to support parents with older children or teenagers who are at the identification stage, walking them through the basics in an engaging and accessible manner. She addresses key challenges for this age group, including co-occurring conditions, puberty, and safeguarding, as well as looking to the future, advising on schooling options, and beyond.

Designed to help parents become fully informed and ensure a nurturing and positive environment for our autistic young people, this is a guide with a focus on difference - not deficit.

WRITTEN BY CATHY WASSELL.
ILLUSTRATED BY ELIZA FRICKER.
FOREWORD BY EMILY BURKE.
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 2022.
JESSICA KINGSLEY PUBLISHERS.

This wonderful book provides the answers needed by parents or teachers of a newly identified autistic child or young person. Accessible and comprehensive, full of practical examples and strategies.

Dr. Mary Doherty
Founder of "Autistic Doctors International"

I would put it in the bracket of imperative reading for any parent of an autistic child - and anyone who wants to have a better understanding of autistic children. I have rarely read such a superb autism-related book.

Luke Beardon
Senior Lecturer in Autism at Sheffield Hallam

No stone has been left unturned in this wonderfully accessible, comprehensive cornucopia guide for parents and carers...this book is a must have for anyone wishing to support their late diagnosed teen or young adult.

Ellie Costello
Director "Square Peg CIC"

A DIFFERENT WAY TO LEARN Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education

Neurodivergent children experience and interact with the world differently to many of their peers. Standard educational systems often fail to adapt to their unique strengths and ways of learning. School, and even the act of learning, can become a source of great anxiety and trauma. Self-directed education offers an alternative to traditional schools that can help neurodivergent children develop at their own pace and thrive.

Blending theory, practical advice and lived experience, clinical psychologist Naomi Fisher introduces the world of self-directed learning and tailoring the learning environment to your child.

This comprehensive overview of self-directed learning is packed with ideas on how to implement it at home and includes interviews from parents of neurodivergent children on how you can make learning differently work for you and your child.

WRITTEN BY NAOMI FISHER.
ILLUSTRATED BY ELIZA FRICKER.
PUBLISHED JUNE 2023.
JESSICA KINGSLEY PUBLISHERS.

A really important book giving a platform to the many 'SEND' families who have been largely unheard in the education debate.

Kezia Cantwell-Wright
Founder "East Kent Sudbury"

I wish that I had read this book before becoming a parent and a teacher! She is a passionate voice for all children not just those defined as neuro-diverse.

Derry Hannam
Retired Deputy Headteacher and Inspector

It should be required reading for all educators, young people and their parents and carers - anyone who has ever wondered if another way is possible. Because it's not just possible. It's already happening...

Dr James Mannion,
Director "Rethinking Education"