Listen free for 30 days

  • Forever Boy

  • A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy
  • Written by: Kate Swenson
  • Narrated by: Kate Swenson
  • Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (52 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Forever Boy cover art

Forever Boy

Written by: Kate Swenson
Narrated by: Kate Swenson
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $6.99

Buy Now for $6.99

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

With her popular blog,
Finding Cooper's Voice, Kate Swenson has provided hope and comfort for hundreds of thousands of parents of children with Autism. Now, Kate shares her inspiring story in this powerful memoir about motherhood and unconditional love

When Kate Swenson’s son Cooper was diagnosed with severe, nonverbal autism, her world stopped. She had always dreamed of having the perfect family life. She hadn’t signed up for life as a mother raising a child with a disability.

At first, Kate experienced the grief of broken dreams. Then she felt the frustration and exhaustion of having to fight for your child in a world that is stacked against them. But through hard work, resilience and personal growth, she would come to learn that Cooper wasn’t the one who needed to change. She was. And it was this transformation that led Kate to acceptance—and ultimately joy. In Forever Boy, Kate shares her inspiring journey with honesty and compassion, offering solace and hope to others on this path and illuminating the strength and perseverance of mothers.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Kate Swenson (P)2022 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

What listeners say about Forever Boy

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    47
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    44
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    45
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful read

Wonderful heartfelt story of a mothers first hand experiences raising a child with autism. Very interesting, very honest and informative for anyone looking to understand or know more about autistic children and their families!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful

Been wanting to read/listen to this book for a while and glad I finally did. Having a nonverbal daughter myself, I see a lot of her in Cooper and it warms my heart. Beautiful story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Lifechanging

I cannot recommend enough to my fellow autism momma’s
This book contains all of the words I was too afraid to say.
In true fashion of a special needs mom, I had this book on pre-order for months & although I was so excited to read it upon arrival - I didn’t get a chance to “read” it until also buying the audio book on audible - I would and will gladly buy this book over and over.
Thank you for making me feel seen, heard, validated, and for reigniting my advocacy flame

Sincerely,
A burnt out special needs mom who just needed someone to “get” it. ❤️

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Not Just For Autism Parents

Everyone should read this book. What an incredible story of a mother's unwavering love for her child and a reminder that it's okay to experience and express a multitude of emotions when life doesn't turn out the way you'd planned. Would highly recommend to anyone.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

amazing book

I have the same severe variety of autism child. Thanks Kate for being so honest in your every word. Acceptance bring joy in everything. Your book will help lot of parents in accepting autism journey. I believe you are the one who brought mot awareness about autism in social media.
I love Cooper's smile. He is very good at his speech generating device. Try Rapid Prompting Method. I believe he jas full potential to express himself by spelling. Always try one new thing.. as you said.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful book and perspective

This touched me deeply and gave me joy and hope, thank you Kate, you are an incredible force and inspiration!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • vs
  • 2022-04-30

heartwarming

everyone who knows a child, has a child, or may someday have a child should hear what Kate has to say about the true love a parent should have for their child no matter what illness or disability they may have or whether they are so called normal. I've worked in the school system with special needs and in the main stream and often wish that parents in the main stream would put half the effort into their child that the parents of special needs put into their children. Kate shows how to fight for every child!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • HL
  • 2023-01-12

Feel seen and heard

As a mother who is currently awaiting diagnosis for her first son, I have never felt so seen and heard. Although our sons struggle in very difficult areas the parallels of feelings as mothers is uncanny. The worries and concerns but also the pure joy and happiness expressed can be extremely overwhelming. Listening to your hardships and crying realizing the oh so close to home feelings I have felt myself while simultaneously laughing as you tell light hearted stories of Cooper. Thank you Kate for writing this book, making me feel less alone, for spreading Autism Awareness, advocating for our children and for providing hope. When I look at my perfect son, I would never want to change anything about him but I often wonder why him? Why me? Why our family? And I instantly feel guilty but I now know I’m not alone in my feelings and they are okay. I hope this review finds you. I’m asking all my closest friends and family to read a copy because I so eloquently describes what it’s like to be a mother to a child with Autism. Thanks again Kate, I’m now following alone on Instagram, add another supporter to the list <3 Much Love ~ Haley

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful heart warming

I can't tell you enough how much this book has meant to me and letting me know that I'm not alone with some of the stuff that I've gone through I would recommend this to any mother father grandparent aunt Uncle teacher anybody else I can think of it's definitely worth reading worth reading you will not be disappointed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I learned a lot from this book

This book taught me a lot and I loved listening to Kate’s journey. Which wasn’t easy but she never gave up. Kate thanks for writing this book, I hope it helps more people understand the struggles people go through and that not everyone is on the same journey.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!