By Suzanne Rhodes | Official Kids Mag
They called him the Pig Whisperer when he was little
because he would hang out with his baby pigs in their
pen for hours at a time. Now Cole Gregory Thomas is
8, and he still cozies up to the piglets he raises through
Washington County 4-H Club. Cole is our Kid Hero
this month because in spite of his disability — nonverbal
autism — he excels in all sorts of cool things, like
showing farm animals at fairs, drawing dinosaurs (his
favorite), identifying insects and solving jigsaw puzzles.
Cole is in the second grade at Bob Folsom Elementary.
Kids with nonverbal autism can't speak and have
other problems as well. Cole was diagnosed when
he was three, but his parents, Andrew and Ashley
Thomas, started him in different therapies before that,
which has made a big difference. He takes physical
therapy, occupational therapy, music therapy and
speech therapy. He can now say about 75 words and
counting! He also communicates through picture
cards. This is a special and very effective method called
PECS—Picture Exchange Communication System.
Cole lives on his grandparents' farm in Farmington
with his mom, dad, big sister Chloie, and cousins while
the Thomas' new house is being built. The whole family
has always been active in 4-H. Cole became a Clover
Bud when he was five. "4-H has had a huge impact
on Cole's life," his mom said. "Our family joined 4-H
because we love to show our livestock projects, but
his happy
place is
hanging
out with
hogs
42 • June & July 2020 • officialkidsMag.com
