Beyond the Classroom: How Visual Learning Helped Liam Share What He Knew
For Liam, a largely nonspeaking second-grader on the autism spectrum, learning didn't always happen in a classroom. It happened from the back seat of his grandmother's car.
As his grandmother Sheri, whom he lovingly calls Nini, drove through Western Kentucky, she pointed out cars, houses, businesses and signs along the road. Then one day, Liam began reading the billboards aloud. Among the signs that captured his attention most were MRCOOL® billboards, which became unexpected landmarks and learning tools, eventually leading to a special connection with our team.
Meet Liam: Learning Through the World Around Him
Though he doesn’t speak often, Liam still has a lot to say and Sheri can attest to that.
Kids with autism are smart, and a lot of those who are nonspeaking have the words, they just don’t know how to get them out. I’ve always spoken to him like he understands everything I’m saying." – Sheri Reynolds
Sheri, a visual learner herself, took a proactive, multimodal approach to helping Liam interact with the world. She drove him around, pointing out everyday sights: "red car," "white house" and named businesses along their route. She was trying to teach him to speak, laying the groundwork day by day.
Then, something remarkable happened. Liam started pointing at billboards and reading them aloud.
Sheri realized in that triumphant moment that Liam knew his alphabet and could read. The everyday visual and verbal interactions she had been using gave Liam an opportunity to show her just how much he already understood.
The Magic of the MRCOOL Billboards
Liam was captivated by the MRCOOL graphics and the "cool" name. He loved them so much that he began using them as geographical landmarks.
"He can tell me how to get to the mall in Paducah (Kentucky) using MRCOOL billboards," Sheri noted, astonished. "I didn’t even realize he was really paying attention, but he is so perceptive."
His absolute favorite? The MRCOOL "Couch Potato" billboard.
Liam would even copy and paste the MRCOOL logo onto different backgrounds to look at on Nini’s phone. He was engaging with the world through a medium that made sense to his visual learning strengths.
“Go Inside”: Liam's Visit to MRCOOL Headquarters
Recently, while driving past the MRCOOL headquarters in Hickory, Kentucky and spotting the chrome bear overlooking the highway from MRCOOL’s front door, Liam suddenly spoke up: "Go inside."
Sheri decided to take a leap of faith and honor his request. She never expected the response she received.
When the MRCOOL® team heard Liam’s story, team members were touched and sprang to action, setting up an opportunity for Liam to return with his Nini later that week for a very special surprise. We were thrilled to give Liam a tour, present him with some MRCOOL® swag, and meet our biggest fan.
Liam’s reaction? A wide-eyed "Whoa!" followed by, "We love you, MRCOOL."
He was thrilled with his new stickers, coloring sheets, apparel, and more. "You have just made a boy's day, and a Nini's day, and our helper’s (Carly) day," Sheri told us, almost brought to tears. "I'm overwhelmed."
How Do Neurodivergent Children Learn Differently?
Neurodivergent children may process, communicate, and engage with information in different ways, and no single approach to learning works for every child. Visual, hands-on, experiential and multimodal instruction can offer learners multiple ways to connect with information, build understanding and express what they know.
Liam’s story reminded our team that learning and communication don’t always look the way we expect. A word, image, sound, sign or everyday experience can become an opportunity for discovery and connection. In Liam’s case, something as simple as a billboard took on a meaning far beyond what its creators ever imagined.
Recognizing different ways of learning means creating more opportunities for people to engage and express themselves. Whether through a drawing, a written response, a hands-on project or even a song, providing multiple ways to communicate understanding can help make learning more accessible and meaningful.
For us, Liam’s story is a powerful example of what can happen when we pay attention to the different ways people experience, understand and connect with the world around them.
The Designer Behind Liam's Favorite MRCOOL Billboards
For the creative minds at MRCOOL, Liam's visit was an unforgettable milestone. Todd Smith, the designer behind the billboards that captured Liam’s imagination, was deeply moved.
As a designer and creator, you take a concept, build it up and then throw it out into the world for people to see. But when you do something that has an impact, especially on a child, that just really makes it all feel worthwhile. It totally warmed my heart... It’s better than a paycheck." – Todd Smith
Sheri’s journey looking for resources and learning about neurodivergence has taught her a valuable lesson about community. "When you’re in your own little bubble, you forget the world is so much bigger than you think, and so is your network. But this has reminded me that we’re not alone and you can find support in unconventional places."
For the MRCOOL team, Liam's story also became a reminder that the things a brand puts into the world can create connections in ways no one could predict.
Great marketing drives sales, but powerful design and brand storytelling build community. The real magic happens when content moves beyond promotion to inspire, connect and belong,” - Bonnie Clymer, Chief Marketing Officer at MRCOOL
As Liam is finishing his first semester of second grade, we are cheering him on every step of the way. He reminded us that the world is full of alternative learning tools, and that sometimes, a simple billboard can help someone share their voice.
Free MRCOOL Coloring Pages Inspired by Liam's Favorite Billboard Todd has created special, downloadable coloring sheets based on Liam's favorite MRCOOL billboards.
[Download the Free MRCOOL Coloring Page]
Frequently Asked Questions
How did MRCOOL billboards become a learning tool for Liam?
While riding through Western Kentucky with his grandmother, Liam began recognizing and reading signs and billboards along their route. MRCOOL billboards became some of his favorites, and he eventually began using them as landmarks to navigate familiar trips, including the route to Paducah, Kentucky.
What is multimodal learning?
Multimodal learning presents information in multiple ways, such as through visual, auditory, written and hands-on experiences. Using several forms of instruction can give learners different ways to engage with and understand information.
What is visual learning?
Visual learning involves using things people can see, such as images, signs, diagrams, written words, demonstrations and other visual cues, to support understanding and recall.
Can everyday experiences become learning opportunities?
Yes. Learning can happen through conversations, signs, objects, routines, travel and other everyday experiences. For Liam, signs and billboards encountered while riding with his grandmother became part of how he interacted with written language and his surroundings.