Try free for 30 days

Preview
  • Forever Boy

  • A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy
  • By: Kate Swenson
  • Narrated by: Kate Swenson
  • Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (24 ratings)

1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Forever Boy

By: Kate Swenson
Narrated by: Kate Swenson
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

An honest and inspiring memoir of autism, motherhood, and love from the creator of Finding Cooper’s Voice.

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 — watching her boy play at baseball games, walking him down the aisle. 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 that comes with 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. Because of Cooper, and autism, she became the person and the mother she was truly meant to be.

Now Kate offers comfort and connection to other parents through her blog and Facebook community, Finding Cooper’s Voice. In Forever Boy, she shares her inspiring journey through autism with honesty and compassion, offering solace and hope to others on this path and illuminating the strength and unconditional love 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 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about Forever Boy

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    23
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    20
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    22
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 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

bring tissues.

I loved every moment of this book. I have followed Kate for years and still learnt so much. Cooper is an amazing human and his family can teach us all so much.

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

an autism mums validation

amazing book!
i was constantly brought to tears from feeling understood, heard and validated as a mother raising a autistic 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

Absolutely beautiful ❤️

I have followed Kate and Cooper on Facebook. I have sobbed listening to this book. So articulate. I identify with all she says. It’s a magical journey and we all learn so much. Kate you are full of Grace. I admire you greatly. Xx

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 story of hope and love

I loved every bit of this story. What a Mum! Thank you for sharing your boy and the story if your family with the world.

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, raw, relatable and full of heart

This book was so relatable and written with so much heart and soul that I found myself crying tears and also smiling with joy. I loved this so much I have also ordered a hard copy!

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

Beautifully written, full of insight

My children are autistic, but they are speaking and have no intellectual delay. I wasn’t sure how this book would resonate. Let me tell you, the similarities between my son and Cooper astonished me. I want to thank Kate for opening up my eyes to Cooper’s ‘version’ of autism, and for allowing me to understand my son’s aggression and rigidity in a different way. Bravo Kate!
(This is Sally from ND Renegade)

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

honest true to life in the autism world

!wow! what a journey, this book can change the world it's a must read

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
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Touching, insightful

A glimpse into the beautiful, raw and often challenging life of a mother trying her best to raise an autistic child in a world that is not always accepting, or kind. Not just a book for parents or those with autistic children - it was captivating, engaging and insightful.

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

Highly recommend

Kate's moving story about her journey raising her son Cooper is both moving and educational.

Her honesty about sensitive topics is wonderful and she takes you on a journey with her through the highs and lows of learning and growing as a parent to a child with austim and gives the hope for the future.






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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Depressing

This was very unhelpful for me. It made it much more difficult to come to terms with my own sons diagnosis whilst he is no where near the severity of this poor ladies son I found the book extremely upsetting and not helpful at all.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.