Parenthood rarely looks the way we imagine it will. For Jennifer Celeste Briggs, that realization came when her daughter Sarah began missing developmental milestones and was later diagnosed with autism. What followed was a journey filled with uncertainty, grief, resilience, and ultimately deep transformation.

In this honest and hopeful conversation, Jennifer shares how she discovered the Son-Rise approach (now called Do Autism Differently) and built a unique home-based program centered on connection, play, and following her daughter's lead. Through years of dedication, volunteering, creativity, and plenty of messy moments along the way, Jennifer found not only ways to support Sarah’s growth but also powerful lessons about letting go of expectations, trusting intuition, and learning to love without conditions.

Jennifer is the author of Watching Sarah Rise, a deeply personal memoir that chronicles her family's experience raising a child with autism while discovering unexpected strength and joy along the way.

This episode is for any parent who has faced uncertainty, felt overwhelmed, or wondered if they are doing enough. Jennifer’s story is a reminder that progress often happens slowly, love shows up in imperfect ways, and hope can grow even in the hardest seasons.

2:30 – Meet Jennifer Celeste Briggs and her journey into autism advocacy

3:40 – Early signs something was different with Sarah

5:00 – Discovering the Son-Rise program and choosing a new path

6:30 – What the program actually looks like in daily life

8:00 – The role volunteers played in Sarah’s development

9:30 – Sarah today: school, piano, swimming, and growing independence

11:20 – Processing the emotional shock of an autism diagnosis

13:30 – Letting go of expectations and learning to accept reality

16:00 – Parenting through frustration, guilt, and emotional burnout

18:30 – Support systems and the importance of community

20:10 – Navigating worries about the future

22:30 – Sleep struggles and sensory tools that sometimes help

24:50 – The parenting beliefs Jennifer had to unlearn

26:45 – What this journey ultimately taught her about resilience

29:10 – Why caring for yourself matters as a parent

31:00 – Writing the memoir Watching Sarah Rise

34:20 – Feedback from readers and the autism community

37:30 – Advice for parents feeling isolated or overwhelmed

48:30 – Where to find Jennifer and her book

✨Connect with Jenny Briggs:

Website: https://watchingsarahrise.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifercelestebriggs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifercelestebriggsauthor
Book: Watching Sarah Rise

✨ Connect with Michele Simms:

Website: thebeautyinthemess.com
Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess
LinkedIn: Michele Simms
Facebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast

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