Finding Cooper's Voice: About Us

I’m Kate Swenson. I’m a proud working mama of four living in suburban Minnesota although we will forever call the North Shore home. I live for coffee, preach kindness like my life depends on it and am continuously surprised by the twists and turns of motherhood. My son Cooper was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old and since then life hasn’t slowed down. And we share it all here and on social media because, well, I remember looking around one day, trying to find my people, families like ours, and realizing there were none. So, I created a space for us to be ourselves. Welcome!

Kate & Cooper Swenson

This website was started from my living room couch in secrecy and has evolved with me over the years. Here you’ll find posts dating back to before my son was diagnosed with autism, back when we were a family of three. Today we are a family of six, growing, thriving, and evolving. Jamie, Kate, Cooper, Sawyer, Harbor, and Wynnie. We are all a part of this family and autism touches us each a bit differently. Recognizing that is important. Remember, when a child is diagnosed with autism, we often think the diagnosis just affects them. That isn't true at all. It affects the whole entire family. Some parts are subtle, some are not. This website, our story, speaks to many of them.

Writing, and sharing our family’s journey with autism, will forever be the core purpose of this website. But there is also so much more. You can order my book Forever Boy, help others through my More Than Foundation, read, write, connect, and shop. And through all of it, you will be reminded that you are never alone on this journey.

So, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and start reading. And when you are ready, connect with others. I hope you find it helpful, and I hope you’ll check out my social feeds which all have different content to share. Above all, remember this… You are not alone.

–Kate