Listen free for 30 days
-
Forever Boy
- A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy
- Narrated by: Kate Swenson
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $32.62
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
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.
You may also enjoy...
-
Turn Austism Around
- An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism
- Written by: Mary Lynch Barbera Ph.D.
- Narrated by: Mary Lynch Barbera Ph.D.
- Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is the first book of its kind that calls attention to an important fact: Parents can make a tremendous impact on their child through behavioral practices taught at home. Dr. Barbera has created a tool kit that any parent can use to help remediate - and in some cases eliminate - some symptoms of autism and other developmental delays in young children, even in as little as 15 minutes a day.
-
-
EXTREMELY HELPFUL for anyone
- By Heather on 2021-04-11
Written by: Mary Lynch Barbera Ph.D.
-
Positive Parenting for Autism
- Powerful Strategies to Help Your Child Overcome Challenges and Thrive
- Written by: Victoria M. Boone MA BCBA
- Narrated by: Allyson Johnson
- Length: 3 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Positive Parenting for Autism delivers practical guidance that will empower parents to implement the techniques used by professionals to help their child with autism build essential social and life skills in an encouraging, affirming way. Raising a child with autism is one of the most challenging responsibilities any parent can face. It can be difficult to manage the commitments of daily life and also feel as though you’re doing all you can to support the development of your special needs child.
-
-
Powerful tools
- By All on 2019-10-25
Written by: Victoria M. Boone MA BCBA
-
We're Not Broken
- Changing the Autism Conversation
- Written by: Eric Garcia
- Narrated by: Eric Garcia
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With a reporter’s eye and an insider’s perspective, Eric Garcia shows what it’s like to be autistic across America. Garcia began writing about autism because he was frustrated by the media’s coverage of it; the myths that the disorder is caused by vaccines, the narrow portrayals of autistic people as white men working in Silicon Valley. His own life as an autistic person didn’t look anything like that.
-
-
Excellent and informative
- By Jenny Chiu on 2021-10-19
Written by: Eric Garcia
-
Sincerely, Your Autistic Child
- What People on the Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew About Growing Up, Acceptance, and Identity
- Written by: Emily Paige Ballou, Sharon daVanport, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, and others
- Narrated by: Stephanie Mounce
- Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A diverse collection of autistic voices that highlights how parents can avoid common mistakes and misconceptions, and make their child feel truly accepted, valued, and celebrated for who they are. Most resources available for parents come from psychologists, educators, and doctors, offering parents a narrow and technical approach to autism. Sincerely, Your Autistic Child represents an authentic resource for parents written by autistic people themselves.
-
-
this book is affirming
- By Meghann on 2022-10-06
Written by: Emily Paige Ballou, and others
-
The Reason I Jump
- The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism
- Written by: Naoki Higashida
- Narrated by: Tom Picasso
- Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Written by Naoki Higashida, a very smart, very self-aware, and very charming thirteen-year-old boy with autism, The Reason I Jumpis a one-of-a-kind memoir that demonstrates how an autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives, and responds in ways few of us can imagine. Parents and family members who never thought they could get inside the head of their autistic loved one at last have a way to break through to the curious, subtle, and complex life within.
-
-
Good insight into the mind of an autistic teen
- By Amy Aucoin on 2022-05-05
Written by: Naoki Higashida
-
Unspeakable
- Surviving My Childhood and Finding My Voice
- Written by: Jessica Willis Fisher
- Narrated by: Jessica Fisher
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Using the written word as her witness statement, Jessica Willis Fisher tells a lacerating story of finding her voice after two decades of silence and an unforgettable story of risk and faith.
-
-
An absolutely harrowing but also inspiring story
- By Emma01 on 2024-02-15
Written by: Jessica Willis Fisher
-
Turn Austism Around
- An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism
- Written by: Mary Lynch Barbera Ph.D.
- Narrated by: Mary Lynch Barbera Ph.D.
- Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is the first book of its kind that calls attention to an important fact: Parents can make a tremendous impact on their child through behavioral practices taught at home. Dr. Barbera has created a tool kit that any parent can use to help remediate - and in some cases eliminate - some symptoms of autism and other developmental delays in young children, even in as little as 15 minutes a day.
-
-
EXTREMELY HELPFUL for anyone
- By Heather on 2021-04-11
Written by: Mary Lynch Barbera Ph.D.
-
Positive Parenting for Autism
- Powerful Strategies to Help Your Child Overcome Challenges and Thrive
- Written by: Victoria M. Boone MA BCBA
- Narrated by: Allyson Johnson
- Length: 3 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Positive Parenting for Autism delivers practical guidance that will empower parents to implement the techniques used by professionals to help their child with autism build essential social and life skills in an encouraging, affirming way. Raising a child with autism is one of the most challenging responsibilities any parent can face. It can be difficult to manage the commitments of daily life and also feel as though you’re doing all you can to support the development of your special needs child.
-
-
Powerful tools
- By All on 2019-10-25
Written by: Victoria M. Boone MA BCBA
-
We're Not Broken
- Changing the Autism Conversation
- Written by: Eric Garcia
- Narrated by: Eric Garcia
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With a reporter’s eye and an insider’s perspective, Eric Garcia shows what it’s like to be autistic across America. Garcia began writing about autism because he was frustrated by the media’s coverage of it; the myths that the disorder is caused by vaccines, the narrow portrayals of autistic people as white men working in Silicon Valley. His own life as an autistic person didn’t look anything like that.
-
-
Excellent and informative
- By Jenny Chiu on 2021-10-19
Written by: Eric Garcia
-
Sincerely, Your Autistic Child
- What People on the Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew About Growing Up, Acceptance, and Identity
- Written by: Emily Paige Ballou, Sharon daVanport, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, and others
- Narrated by: Stephanie Mounce
- Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A diverse collection of autistic voices that highlights how parents can avoid common mistakes and misconceptions, and make their child feel truly accepted, valued, and celebrated for who they are. Most resources available for parents come from psychologists, educators, and doctors, offering parents a narrow and technical approach to autism. Sincerely, Your Autistic Child represents an authentic resource for parents written by autistic people themselves.
-
-
this book is affirming
- By Meghann on 2022-10-06
Written by: Emily Paige Ballou, and others
-
The Reason I Jump
- The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism
- Written by: Naoki Higashida
- Narrated by: Tom Picasso
- Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Written by Naoki Higashida, a very smart, very self-aware, and very charming thirteen-year-old boy with autism, The Reason I Jumpis a one-of-a-kind memoir that demonstrates how an autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives, and responds in ways few of us can imagine. Parents and family members who never thought they could get inside the head of their autistic loved one at last have a way to break through to the curious, subtle, and complex life within.
-
-
Good insight into the mind of an autistic teen
- By Amy Aucoin on 2022-05-05
Written by: Naoki Higashida
-
Unspeakable
- Surviving My Childhood and Finding My Voice
- Written by: Jessica Willis Fisher
- Narrated by: Jessica Fisher
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Using the written word as her witness statement, Jessica Willis Fisher tells a lacerating story of finding her voice after two decades of silence and an unforgettable story of risk and faith.
-
-
An absolutely harrowing but also inspiring story
- By Emma01 on 2024-02-15
Written by: Jessica Willis Fisher
What listeners say about Forever Boy
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
- Audrey
- 2022-04-10
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
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kamrun
- 2022-04-20
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
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lydia Klein
- 2023-10-10
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
-
Performance
-
Story
- Michelle
- 2022-08-14
Amazing
loved it, finished it all in a day! Thank-you Kate for sharing your journey
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Heather
- 2022-04-13
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
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jaimie
- 2023-05-01
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!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- 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
-
Performance
-
Story
- 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
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jennifer Watson
- 2022-06-04
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
-
Performance
-
Story
- Courtney Logan
- 2022-12-23
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!