ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Advocates say kids on the autism spectrum can sometimes have strong, intense interests. KTTC’s May Kid With Courage won over our hearts with his.
Cole Goodman, 10, of Stewartville shared his interests with our news crew right off the bat.
“Do you live by Great Clips?” he asked.
Cole shared that he knows the hours of the Great Clips location he visits in Rochester.
Cole’s mother, Celena Goodman, said vacuum cleaners are also a big interest. He loves the techniques of winding up the cord.
“When he wants to discuss the vacuum, he wants to talk about the hook, is it up or down? Do we wind it the straight way or the messy way?” she explained.
Cole has faced verbal and physical challenges, as well as misdiagnoses, for much of his life.
Doctors’ newest answer came just months ago.
“February 11th of this year he was diagnosed with autism, and so this is a very new experience for our family,” Celena said.
Early on, Cole had delays with walking.
Celena said around two years old, Cole was misdiagnosed with a brain defect.
But Celena and the rest of Cole’s family continued to push for clarity. Neurology appointments and genetics appointments didn’t paint a clear picture.
“He was nonverbal until six years old,” Celena said. “Speech therapy and occupational therapy were happening here in our house.”
During the challenges of COVID, they were able to continue with Cole’s treatments, thanks to people like Michele Tonn of Tonns of Fun Therapy doing house calls and video visits.
“At about the age of five, I think, we were able to find a device for him. Our speech therapist did, and so he could actually tell us his wants and needs,” Tonn explained.
She showed KTTC an iPad program that allowed Cole to select items and phrases.
“Now, Cole knows more about me than I do about myself sometimes, and he talks up a storm,” Tonn said.
Cole is also passionate about makes and models of cars, as well as certain tunes, like “Don’t Stop Believin’”.
In continuing to push for a precise diagnosis, the Goodmans have made contact with organizations like RT Autism Awareness Foundation and others for support.
“We aren’t just in this sort of dark tunnel,” Celena said. “We are just trying to educate ourselves and try to find the best method and ways to address behaviors and things like that, because ultimately, we want him to be able to function and someday get a job and someday live on his own.”
Cole has pushed himself to try swimming and Miracle League baseball.
Cole’s family is learning that their journey is uniquely their own.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all,” Celena said.
KTTC reached out to Great Clips to share a bit about Cole’s passion, and the company surprised him with a Great Clips gift basket. Thank you to Great Clips for making Cole smile.
If you know a Kid With Courage Caitlin should meet, email her at [email protected].
Find stories like this and more, in our apps.
Copyright 2025 KTTC. All rights reserved.
发表回复