From Survival to Purpose; One Mom's Mission to Change Autism Care

In this powerful episode of Autism Life Today, we sit down with Cricket Barrientos, founder of Sounds of Autism, to explore the evolving reality of autism care—from early childhood through adulthood and beyond. Drawing from her personal journey as a mother of a 23-year-old son on the spectrum, Cricket shares the often-overlooked challenges facing individuals with “middle-functioning” autism—one of the most underserved populations today.  The conversation dives into critical topics including the lack of post-graduation support, the connection between undiagnosed autism and vulnerable populations, and the urgent need for better systems of care.  Cricket also highlights groundbreaking work being done through Sounds of Autism, including first responder training programs, crisis intervention initiatives, and community-based solutions designed to support individuals and families at every stage of life.  At its core, this episode tackles one of the most important—and emotional—questions families face: What happens when we’re no longer here to care for our loved ones?  This is a conversation about awareness, responsibility, and building a more compassionate and prepared future for the autism community.