We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful CRICKET BARRIENTOS. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with CRICKET below.

CRICKET, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

The Educational System has been the same for such a long time. We structure everything around the Majority within a Typical Society. We have left many populations behind. I believe people struggle to change, to find their creative side within and many like to be shown the way so they don’t have to do more than expected of them for whatever reason. I say this because even my son’s Special Education teachers have confirmed that Landon will graduate even if he does not understand or retain information so they will keep moving forward even if he lacks understanding. Why do we allow this and why have we set the system up this way? The end result will only lead to one place – a failing population. 88,000 adults in need are on a waiting list for long term housing in Arizona and 90% of the Autism population can’t get a job? These are failing results and it is no surprise to me. Accountability is lacking. Seeking out a better way is lacking. Parents are pulling their child out and home schooling or putting their child in a specialized school for their Special Needs. Removing a child from typical society may be a short-term fix but when they become adults THEN WHAT? I see and understand both sides BUT that does not mean it is the right thing to do. I am now learning about the long-term effects on today’s Adults living with Autism in the USA. It is devastating and we have a lot of work to do. My goal is to support educational Leaders who are willing to accept the support. We want to make sure we help with how to navigate the journey and get the best long-term outcome for every child. Our program support Prenatal until the Final Farewell of life.

CRICKET, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a mom of Autism for 20 years, and my career was as restaurateur for over 30 years in multiple positions and many different styles of restaurants. This is where I learned all of the skills necessary to operate a non-profit. My husband Kevin is a Detective for over 13 years in Phoenix and I have (2) daughters who are both leaders in their industries as well. I try to remain humble, and I am very honest with people about what I think because I do not want anyone to make a decision because I was too afraid to tell them the truth about my opinion. I don’t try to hurt anyone’s feelings; I just want people to know that I care a ton about their success and if I think something is a bad idea or wrong, I will find a way to say it constructively. It took me a few years to learn how to conduct myself this way and get a positive result and I practiced it a lot. I wanted people to know I was genuine. I will help anyone with anything. I will be a great friend forever, and I will push you to be the best you can be. I will never ask anyone to do anything I would not do myself and I believe that if you have children, it is our responsibility as a parent to do the best, we can be as they grow up. Set the example and always be there for them BUT let them become independent and make mistakes without criticism. I have never met anyone who likes to fail so many people hold back from their fullest potential because they hate to fail. I encourage failing and accepting it. It will make us all better at Life.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

It is not easy to change the world. It is not easy to change people’s compassion and empathy to a cause that may not affect their life. Some have turned their back to working with us and helping this community. I’ve shopped at the same grocery store for over 16 years. When I approached them about offering their support to the Special Needs Community, the GM told me he didn’t want any more of those type of people in his business. I was not surprised because he is not the warmest person in the store BUT he is representing a company that he does not own. I felt that he spoke for the Company, and it really made them look bad. With the number of groceries, I bought from him over the last 16 years, you would think he would have been a little more kind and thankful knowing we had stayed committed to his grocery store for so many years, even when other options started popping up in the same neighborhood. People do not realize they are on stage At ALL TIMES. his response is something I remember every time I go have to shop. Many would ask why I still go to this location? My answer would be that he is only one person and there has, been no others that have treated us this way. In my mind I think he needs some more training and should be required to understand the newest tagline Diversity, Equity and Inclusion if he is going to be the one responsible for hiring and orientation. He will be required to have people sign paperwork that requires everyone to practice Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and how does a leader who does not truly agree with this statement, manage others to do the right thing. This is my resiliency. I will never allow anyone to get in the way of what I believe. I have to keep fighting for the right thing. I have a son who is relying on me to pave the way for him to survive life. When your child is your motivation, nothing will stop you.

Have you ever had to pivot?

March 2020 I was Furloughed from my job with Dave and Buster’s. I worked full time (60+) hours a week in the restaurant industry so being furloughed was stressful and overwhelming BUT it was also the time I prayed for, allowing me to work on the completion of my vision for this non-profit. I was able to write out the steps a family needed to take from Prenatal until the final farewell so that they always had guidance as their child went through all their milestones. I began building a team that was never ending. One of the largest I have ever built. For 11 years my husband and I self-funded our program. We began to raise money in 2021 and for our first year we were able to grow. We began to Unify the world, one step, one city, one A.C.R.E. at a time. We completed the West Valley Arizona including Luke Air Force Base. And now we are moving North. We are looking forward to 2022.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.soundsofautism.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundsofautisminc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cricket.barrientos
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyCvFbqrbW1WpDHgFvBFbRg