A hopeful, informative and helpful look at three mother's different experiences raising children on the autism spectrum. This is a great book for anyone looking to learn more about the various ways Autism can present and that no two cases are the same. Well written and relatable and highly recommended for libraries looking to add to their nonfiction collections on this topic.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

This was a powerful read as a mother of an autistic child, but I would recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about autism.

Autism Out Loud is an immersive journey into three mother's lives living with autistic sons. This was such a powerful read not only for those who are diagnosed with autism, but their families, friends, and caregivers who live alongside them. The three authors share their experiences as they navigated diagnoses, marriage and family life after a diagnosis, education, and regular life challenges. Two of the authors have sons under 18 and one author has an adult son, and I appreciated her viewpoint of adult independence while living with autism. I feel this is often overlooked or forgotten. I would recommend this book to anyone, whether you have personal experience with autism or not.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and the authors for this advanced copy. Autism Out Loud is available on April 1, 2025.

This isn’t a Christiam book (some of the authors do mention church), but it’s one I chose to review because I am the grandmother of an autistic child. One of the coauthors of this book, Kate Swenson is well-known in the autism community for her blog, Finding Cooper’s Voice https://www.findingcoopersvoice.com/. The other two women are members of her on-line community and have become special friends over the years.

This is a wonderful book! Each author tells her own story and experiences with different challenges faced by parents of special needs children. They are each the mother of an autistic son, all of them now older children or young adults, so they have lived with these issues for a long time. Some of the topics they cover are:

*How it feels to get the diagnosis of autism

*Sibling relationships

*How raising an autistic child can impact your marriage and other relationships

*Does my child need medication?

*Feeling isolated

*Educational challenges

*What will their future look like — will my child ever have a job? live on his own? go to college? what will happen to him when we die?

Of course, there is much more, and each mother has a child of a different age, and with differing diagnoses. What I loved about this book was the honest sharing of both the difficulties and the joys of raising such a child. Sometimes I was brought to tears by their descriptions of the love shown by siblings, the way they overcome great odds to communicate, and the patience of the families involved.

You will come away with a better understanding of what it means to be autistic, and the kind of help and understanding these children and their families need.

10/10. I am not autistic but on the spectrum with ADHD diagnosed as an adult. Reading this made me feel see but also allowed me to better understand others.

Thank you Net Galley, Kate Swenson; Carrie Cariello; Adrian Wood and Park Row for this ARC copy of Autism Out Loud.

This was a very powerful and eye-opening read as three mothers share their journey in life with one singular thing: they each have a child with autism. I enjoyed learning about these women, their families, and how they advocate for their children and whole family. This was very informative to me and allowed me to further evaluate my relationships with my students and their families who have a child with Autism. I love reading books that can impact my teaching career, but even more so when the books deal with the whole family. Definitely a book I will share with my colleagues, families, and friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC.


Autism Out Loud is an incredibly raw and powerful book that dives deep into the realities of life with autism, not just for those diagnosed but for the families and individuals who share that journey. The quote, “Autism is the suitcase I carry every moment of every day. It’s adjusting to the weight only to have it change, and it’s coming to terms that someday, I will be forced to set it down. And wondering, who will pick it up for me and carry it the rest of the way,” resonated deeply with me. Growing up around autism, I found this metaphor heartbreakingly accurate and relatable, capturing both the weight of responsibility and the vulnerability that comes with it.

The three perspectives shared in the book were a highlight, showcasing the diverse experiences and challenges faced by individuals and their families. Each journey is unique, and the stories of the mothers, in particular, were inspiring and deeply moving. Their resilience and determination remind us of the strength it takes to navigate life alongside autism.

What struck me most was the way the book highlights the often-overlooked gap between high school and adult independence. As someone who’s passionate about advocating for better support systems for individuals with autism, this book reignited my drive to push for change in this critical area. The line, “I think of him, tucked away in his dorm-like space, working his very hardest to build a life around a diagnosis—or perhaps in spite of it—and my heart swells with pride,” perfectly encapsulates the mix of pride and worry that many families feel as their loved ones navigate adulthood.

I would recommend this book to anyone, whether they have no experience with autism or have spent a lifetime surrounded by it. For those unfamiliar, it’s an eye-opening journey. For those who’ve lived it, it’s a comforting reminder that you’re not alone. Autism Out Loud is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complexities, challenges, and triumphs of life with autism.

This was such a wonderful book. Ive been following kate and carrie and i just feel like we are all pn the same team