As a mom familiar with autism this book was a nice reminder that I’m not alone and that there are parents out there going through the same thing I’m going through. And yes not all cases of autism are the same and it reflects on the anecdotes of these three moms. I love to see how they navigate life with autism in different stages of their kids life. There were also some good tips and things I didn’t know that will help me in the future.

Autism Out Loud
Life with a Child on the Spectrum, from Diagnosis to Young Adulthood
by Kate Swenson; Carrie Cariello; Adrian Wood
Narrated by Kate Swenson; Carrie Cariello; Adrian Wood

As the mother of two nonverbal boys with autism, I have intimately navigated the intricacies of the autism spectrum. At the beginning of this book, one of the authors describes a "reluctant world," a phrase that resonates profoundly with my journey as a parent of children on the spectrum. This world simultaneously encourages us to embrace differences while hesitating to fully accept them.

The narratives within Autism Out Loud offer a hopeful perspective on what I perceive as a challenging diagnosis for a child. The authors radiate optimism about their circumstances, which I find particularly inspiring. Living in a county where advocacy efforts are often undermined by "Communication Plans" that limit discussions with teachers, principals, and case managers, I take comfort in knowing that others have navigated these obstacles with greater success in their advocacy journeys.

These three women openly share their triumphs and struggles in dealing with autism, providing invaluable support to one another and to all mothers of children with this diagnosis. What struck me most was the strong support network they cultivated. My key takeaway is the importance of finding a similar community, as I strive to balance the needs of my two boys on the spectrum with those of my two gifted daughters. Too often, I feel as if someone is left wanting. It’s evident that support from others grappling with similar challenges has been a vital source of strength for these authors.

If you’re seeking an audiobook that uplifts and reassures you that there are people actively making a difference in the realm of autism, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this book a listen. The authors—Kate Swenson of Finding Cooper's Voice, Adrian Wood of What Color is Monday?, and Carrie Cariello of Tales of an Educated Debutante—narrate their own stories, infusing them with a personal touch that makes the listening experience all the more poignant. Kudos to these remarkable women for forging a path in a world I am still striving to understand in the context of autism.
Thanks are extended to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advance copy of the audiobook.

Here's to New Adventures in our Reading & Journaling Journey!
@thewritingwhisperer &
@shh_imreading Continue to Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, & the Power of the Written Word!✒📖

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I just finished the audiobook edition of this and I think I’m done crying. It got pretty emotional. I work with IDD adults, some of whom are autistic, so I have somewhat of idea of what these ladies have been through. But I get to clock out. Mom doesn’t. I’ve already recommended it to a friend with an autistic child. Turns out she already had a copy but hadn’t read it yet.
What I really liked about this book was the honesty and no bs approach to their stories. They laid their hearts bare for us. They presented the good and the bad about having a special needs child. And it made clear that no two autistic children are the same. Each has his/her own journey in life.
Thank you to the authors for sharing your stories. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book to me free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to Kate Swenson, Carrie Cariello, Adrian Wood, Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was SO excited to get a copy of this book to review. Autism has touched our family in a variety of ways and i enjoyed getting to hear from other mothers who have walked down this road. Hearing their similar yet different experiences whilst navigating their child's diagnosis, through the school system, societal expectations and ultimately helping their child find their own version of independence felt like we were being given a glimpse into something so sacred.

This book would be a wonderful resource for families who have recently received an autism diagnosis and are wondering what the future may hold. These three mothers have weaved together a beautiful account without leaving out the hard moments. Stories like this need to be hear by all so that those with autism can continue to break down barriers and thrive in a world that sometimes refuses to look beyond the surface.

I normally don't rate biographies as it doesn't feel right to give a star rating to someone's account of their own life experiences but for the purpose of this review I gave this a 4 star over all - very well done and an excellent resource for those starting out on their autism journey with their loved one.

First I would like to thank Kate for sending me this book. I made a post on Instagram about how her book is what made me passionate about reading again. Autism out loud was a book just like forever boy that i hold close to my heart. In my community it's hard to find or feel understood in our autism world. I started following Kate on Facebook a few years ago before my sons black and white diagnosis (I knew he was on the spectrum but it wasn't on paper) & reading her story & even Carries it just makes me feel understood, seen, and validates my feelings it makes me feel normal to feel how i feel and to be seen. My son has been experiencing some difficulties that were talked a lot about in the chapter of anxiety.
We will be discussing this at his next Neuro appointment at the end of the month. I thank you three ladies for sharing your story and being so vulnerable and open

As a mother of an autistic child, this was a great book to read. To see what other autistic children and families go through is helpful. It makes me feel more normal. I am thankful to these women for sharing their stories with us.

Autism Out Loud is raw, honest, and brought tears to my eyes a number of times. If autism has touched your life in any way, read (or listen) to this book.

My nephew is on the spectrum and while I already knew his mom (my sister) to be an incredible mother, listening to the three mothers had my eyes tearful emotions and my heart swelled with pride that my nephew Vincent could not have been born to a better mother. The mothers from Autism Out Loud are Kate Swenson (Cooper's mom), Adrian Wood (Amos's mom) and Carrie Cariello (Jack's mom). They pour their hard and souls in telling their story and the stories of their family and their sons. Their stories are heavy and heartbreaking at times but also and hopeful and resilient and real.

Whether autism is part of your daily life or something you’ve only seen from a distance, this book matters. It’s one of those reads that makes you feel seen or makes you see. Either way, it’s worth your time. Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for a early copy for review.

Autism Out Loud in a nutshell is a collective testament detailing the fears and struggles these women faced head on and how they overcame the storm. It is an enlightening and resourceful book I think everyone should read to foster further understanding and empathy for autistic individuals and their families. Central themes of community support, friendship, and resiliency are at the heart of this book.

I would also recommend listening to the audio version.
The authors voiced their own sections bringing forth a compelling message of acceptance and advocacy. You can hear the raw emotions in their narration making it easier to connect to their stories.

Thank you Harlequin Audio for the ALC.

This was such an eye opening and awesome listen. Hearing the mom's give life to their own experiences and seeing all the commonalities in myself was a very needed experience. Seeing the possibilities for my own child's future was both scary and empowering in the book. I. An only hope that more families with autism are able to read this and know that there are communities of people out their who experience the same things we're going through and can be a support for us.

Autism Out Loud is an eye-opening collection of stories from three mothers with very different connections to autism. What I really loved about this book was how it gave me a glimpse into each of their unique experiences, showing just how different autism can look from person to person.

It was really interesting to hear their stories and see the different ways autism affects their lives. The authors do an amazing job of telling each of their stories in a way that shows how real and emotional it is, making you feel like you’re right there with them.

The thing that stood out the most was how each woman had a different perspective, but they all showed the same idea: autism is so much more than the stereotypes we often hear. Their stories helped me understand autism on a deeper level, and I honestly feel like I learned a lot. It’s a really powerful book that breaks down misunderstandings and shows how everyone’s experience with autism can be totally different.

Autism Out Loud is such a great read. It’s real, it’s honest, and it really makes you think. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to get a better understanding of autism from different points of view.

Three mothers of autistic children on varying ends of the Autism spectrum recount their experiences and challenges raising neurodiverse people. I thought this was highly relatable, vulnerable and honest and also great on audio. Highly recommended reading for anyone who is also raising an autistic child. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I do not have the words to express the emotions I felt while listening and relistening to multiple parts of the book. I listened while driving and I did not want the words of the authors to fall on deaf ears...when my mind would wander about my own experiences with my students with autism. Since each chapter is read aloud by each of the authors, it allows you to hear their words from their perspectives and at times from very raw emotions. I cried with them as they shared their stories about Jack, Cooper, and Amos and I celebrated within them as the boys achieved their own personal accomplishments. As a speech language pathologist, I usually sit across from the parents on the other side of the table discussing annual goals and progress, however I never get the experience of what my inquisitive mind wants to know, which is how their children communicate and interact within their home environments. I have even more love and compassion for my students with autism after listening to this book. I highly recommend it to others since it will change your heart!

Listening and reading through these experiences was truly profound. As a mother of an almost 15-year-old autistic son, I found myself deeply moved, sometimes even to tears. Every word resonated with me, and I felt so connected to the emotions and struggles shared.

My son has made incredible progress over the years, yet there are still moments when he feels lost—when the world seems too overwhelming, too indifferent to the tenderness of his heart. So often, people fail to see the depth of his emotions, the kindness in his soul, the effort behind every step he takes. It’s a journey filled with challenges, but it is also something immense, something beyond words—a love so fierce, a pride so deep, and a connection so unbreakable.

This experience wasn’t just about reading or listening; it was about feeling. It was about seeing my own story reflected in others, knowing that I am not alone in this journey, and finding comfort in the shared struggles and triumphs. It was emotional, raw, and incredibly powerful.

Thank you, Kate Swenson, Carrie Cariello, and Adrian Wood, for sharing your voices and experiences. Your words truly touched my heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. In this book, three mothers share their experiences on a range of topics related to their children with autism. As a special educator, I have worked with many children with autism, but this is the first time I have encountered such detailed, raw, and personal experiences from a mother's perspective. This book is an essential read for anyone who works with or loves someone with autism. Thank you to Kate, Carrie and Adrian for sharing your honest stories. Your words will stay with me as I continue to support my students and their families. This book has given me a deeper understanding of their experiences, and I know it will resonate with every person who reads it.

Autism Out Loud shares the stories of three mothers who each have a son who is on the spectrum. Together they detail & navigate their personal experiences within the world of autism & provide support for other parents in the journey.

They specifically write about “Life with a Child on the Spectrum, from Diagnosis to Young Adulthood” - which is incredibly informative & important! I truly appreciated the way in which each mom shared some of the personal details and lessons learned in their journey of parenting children with ASD - not only was it insightful but for me, it was also personal. My son is on the spectrum & I also work professionally as a social worker for individuals with developmental disabilities - so when I say that I live in the disability support & advocacy space, that’s exactly what I mean!

I found it so helpful to hear the nuances that each mom detailed - finding bits of my son and our journey in their stories. I gained further insight into the differences when it comes to services for individuals with ASD & how that can vary greatly between states too - it blew my mind & made me grateful to live in Minnesota!

This book helped me to feel seen, understood and less alone - while also reminding me of some very important aspects of autism and the impact it has on my son. I’d be lying if I said that I read this book without tears, because there were plenty, but in the same way that the tears felt like a release, they were also an acknowledgement of the acceptance that can be found in the midst of the grief that one can feel when facing diagnoses of this kind.

Lastly, I felt that the audiobook being narrated by each mother was such a special and authentic touch! Hearing the story literally being told in their own voice was an absolute privilege ☺️