Conversations with Cricket Barrientos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cricket Barrientos.

Cricket, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? 
My name is Cricket Barrientos – Founder of Sounds of Autism. My Journey started in 2002 when my Autistic Son, Landon, was born. I was unaware of Autism and the signs, so our official diagnosis was at 6 years old. However, I started to recognize things were different at 2 years old.

Fast Forward – in 2006, we relocated from Chicago, Illinois, to Goodyear, Arizona, for many personal reasons. The move was stressful for everyone. At that time, I was newly divorced and had Landon, who was 4 years old, and my daughter, who was 6 years old.

In 2011 I identified the deficiencies within the support and resources available to help our son and knew that if I did not do something to fix this, we would have a very rough journey for us. So, in 2011, I started our non-profit Sounds of Autism, Inc.

Sounds of Autism is a 510c3 nonprofit founded in Goodyear, Arizona in 2011, Our mission is to safely integrate Families and Children of Autism and others At-Risk, back into society through Love and Support. We have (4) phases to our program, and we serve from Prenatal until the final farewell of life.

Phase 1 – We Support the next generations of Leaders and Parents by implementing programs within the Schools from College to pre-school levels. We educate how to navigate city leadership to ensure you know who to ask for help if things are not working out for you on your journey, how to navigate through Resources and Support Solutions, and find the right ones to support you and your family on a journey as a Parent or as a Leader, how to seek out crisis support through First Responders, how to seek out the best schools to support you and your children needs, etc.

We do this throughout the year with volunteers from College and High School so far, and we will continue to work up to the Elementary Level Students so we offer everyone ample time to learn how to ASK FOR HELP.

Phase 2 – We Support our “M&M’s – also our son’s favorite candy. Our M&M portion is bringing awareness to society in multiple unique ways. Music about the SPECIAL NEEDS populations, Marketing Ideas to keep Autism and others at risk top of mind, especially during crisis.

Merchandise that is going to offer others understanding about these unique populations and continue to bring a desire to support those in need through Compassion and Empathy, and lastly Media and Social Media platforms, especially our YOUTUBE Digital Library Channel “Sounds of Autism,” which offers 24/7 educational PODCAST we refer to as SPECTRUM Talks and Tips.

This is a Raw and Real show to allow families to see the everyday life of those living with or raising a child with Autism and how to work together as a UNIFIED RESPONDER COMMUNITY to support one another on their journeys. Our reach has become Global and we have Chapter Leaders currently in Illinois and Louisiana and now in Pakistan as well.

Phase 3 – Volunteer Workforce Readiness where we teach LIFE, JOB, SAFETY, and SOCIALIZATION SKILLS to those who are in need of additional support before integrating into society as an adult. We have Adults living with Autism and others at risk, working directly with our Founder – Cricket Barrientos (Coach), learning BOOTS on the GROUND about living a more independent life.

The Team of 18 and over Adults is called TEAM WOLF ‘RAPTOR – 1/2 Wolf and 1/2 Raptor designed by our very own students from our BOOTS on the GROUND program we call the STOP Project – Simple Tasks Operations Project. We focus on Cleaning homes for Senior Citizens to build skills with Compassion, Empathy, Sanitary, Socialization and Crisis.

We focus on working to feed the homeless and low-income people living in poverty and understanding disabilities by collaborating with other organizations that serve those living with Autism and other At-Risk. These programs are also a way to see the skill levels of our students and measure their ability to live independently, moderate support, or need ongoing daily support to ensure we never leave anyone at risk as these students move into independent living solutions.

Phase (4) – We will support Adults with Disabilities to determine their next steps into Adult Life by providing education, awareness, and resources for housing solutions. We will meet with families to work together to determine the best solution for their child and how to begin the journey of supporting sustainability. This is something we have developed and will pilot beginning in 2025.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, it has. I wanted to make sure that we took this slow and that we grew with the milestones as my son completed one going into the other. I felt TOO FAST was not a good idea. I wanted to ensure I was educated and went through it before asking our families to trust me. I also wanted our families and our team to feel we have worked on things before just releasing our curriculum.

We tested, tried, and reported back to the Board and then modified and did it again. We are 13 years STRONG and we have built this without a major funding source. I wanted to make sure that we never had to worry about not getting funding. My husband and I are able to support the organization in times of hardship and when we go through the good times, we have budgets to ensure we save for those “unforeseen circumstances”.

This journey has been a true blessing to both of us, knowing we are helping our son and others along the way. I see myself being able to die in peace one day, knowing our son is in good hands with others living the same LIFE on the SPECTRUM.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Non-Profit = I am the founder, the visionary, the coach, and the developer. We all wear many hats. I think this is what keeps us moving so fast. We are never bored and always see and feel the need to grow when the time is right. TO BRIDGE GAPS Without a system, you have to know how to do everything and what to look for.

Our Business Model, SOMETHING I created in 1997 for a career different from a nonprofit (30 years Restaurant management and Entrepreneur) we refer to as CREATING SIGNATURE EMPOWERMENT, educates people about themselves and how to push for their highest potential. EMPOWERING PEOPLE is a gift. I love to do this, especially for those who are thought to have NO ability to fit into typical Society.

Our Wolf ‘Raptor Team is already coaching others PEER TO PEER after only (1) one year of Skill Training. They still struggle at times, but when they are on their game, WATCH OUT. We will be introducing many of the next generations of Elon Musk’s Levels of Thinking. STAY TUNED WORLD.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe my ability to see the best in people is why I can empower them. I never give up on anyone UNLESS they give up on themselves. I believe that if I am going to ask people to work hard, I have to work harder, so I set the expectation and the tone of the moment. I believe in the Golden Rule. I believe we must forgive our enemies at some point I believe that if you do not believe in GOD, you must believe in something that will give you HOPE.

I believe you must be self-accountable for your Thoughts, Actions, and Words, and if you choose to do the wrong thing at some point along the journey, you must immediately try to correct these actions so you don’t build habits that will cause your life to end up in the wrong place – jail, prison, death. crisis and more bad places,

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.soundsofautism.org/about/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundsofautisminc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrowingwithAutism/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cricket-barrientos-5601b2109
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyCvFbqrbW1WpDHgFvBFbRg 

Image Credits
Wolf ‘Raptors