The "first-stop read" for autism families and caregivers, now in its second edition

 

What readers are saying about Responsible and Responsive Parenting in Autism: Between Now and Dreams

 

"A book like this comes around only a handful of times in one's life."

"An important, beautifully written, and engaging book for parents and a must-read for teachers, therapists, behavior analysts, and others who work with children with autism."

"As a statement about humanity, and how we can relate to one another to find moments of joy and connection, there are layers of messaging that can be savored and re-read multiple times. You will want to go back to it over and over."

"A truly beautiful thing, verging on poetry."

 

The cover art for the second edition of Responsible and Responsive Parenting in Autism, by Shahla Ala'i-Rosales and Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe, is built around Dena Pritchett's painting of a paint-by-numbers canvas featuring a mother looking lovingly down at her child in a late impressionist style, surrounded by a gold border and set over a periwinkle background. The cover includes a brief testimonial from Peter Gerhardt, a researcher and clinician who specializes in supporting adults with autism.

Shahla and I have marveled at the word-of-mouth response to the first edition. With the second edition, we're keeping the focus on learning, connecting and loving. Both evidence-based and wise, this focus can superpower your caregiving, whether your family is new to the autism diagnosis or further along in life's journey. We added an index to help you explore ideas in new ways and contexts. And we developed more options to access the material--including an audiobook and affordable ebook--to meet you where you are.

We invite you to stay tuned. Our long-range plans include other, interactive options to help parents and caregivers create happy progress through love and science. A few samples are part of the resources below.

We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: loveandsciencepublishing@protonmail.com.

 

 

***Download the one-page PRESS RELEASE here ***

Ways to buy the second edition

 

 

Resources for parents

 

  • Create your own Between Now and Dreams Bookmark for special education meetings.

Many parents and caregivers find special education team meetings stressful. A bookmark, with a picture of your child on the front and a helpful list on the back, can assist you with important actions throughout the meeting.

In pages 96-97 of the second edition, we explain the science behind the bookmark and its dual purpose. First, other members of the special education team will recognize that you, too, have a job--to do what is best for your child--and they can see the bookmark serving as a job aide. Second, the bookmark's photo reminds everyone on the team about the individual who is the ultimate recipient of the services being negotiated. Together, you all are deciding the fate of a precious child. (Barahona, 2010)

Instructions: Download the pdf 8 Tips Bookmark (with art from the first edition created by Melissa DiPeri) and insert a photo of your child, print, fold in half, and secure. This document prints 5" x 7", and folds to 2.5" x 7".

 

  • Host a book club with families to read and discuss important concepts from the book 

Suggested questions to read and discuss Between Now and Dreams

 

Resources for clinicians

 

Other resources

Shahla's biography

Shahla Ala'i-Rosales smiles for a portrait wearing a white cardigan over a navy top and hoop earrings.

Shahla Ala'i-Rosales

Shahla Alai-Rosales, Ph.D., BCBA-D, CPBA-AP, is a professor in the Department of Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas. She has taught courses in Texas, Europe and the Middle East on a variety of topics, including ethics, early autism intervention, parent training, behavioral systems, applied research methods, technology transfer, behavior change techniques, and cultural diversity. Shahla has published and presented research on social justice, ethics in early intervention, play and social skills, family harmony, and supervision and mentoring. Shahla has more than four decades of experience working with families and has trained hundreds of behavior analysts. She has received awards for her teaching (UNT Student Government Association's ‘Fessor Graham Award), her work with families (Onassis Scholar Award), and for her sustained contributions (UNT Community Engagement Award, Texas Association for Behavior Analysis Career Contributions Award, the Georgia State University Lutzker Distinguished Lecturer, the Association for Behavior Analysis International Donald M. Baer Distinguished Lecture, and the 23-24 University of Kansas Applied Behavior Science Outstanding Alumni Award). She was a member of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board, the Association for Behavior Analysis International Practice Board, the Association for Behavior Analysis International Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Board and an associate editor for Behavior Analysis in Practice. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts and the advisory board for the Alliance for Scientific Autism Intervention. Shahla is also the co-author of Building and Sustaining Meaningful and Effective Relationships as a Supervisor and Mentor (LeBlanc, Sellers & Alai, 2020). She lives in Denton, Texas, and is honored to be a mother and grandmother to three amazing humans!

Peggy's biography

Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe
(photo credit: Mary Lide Parker)

Peggy's first book, See Sam Run, a mother's story of autism, was published in 2008 by the University of North Texas Press. The book's manuscript won the Mayborn Prize for Literary Nonfiction in 2005. For more than a decade she has been exploring themes in autism parenting and self-determination on her blog, peggyheinkelwolfe.com. An award-winning writer and journalist, Peggy holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of North Texas and a master's degree in music performance from the Eastman School of Music.

Find Peggy on Mastodon, @phwolfe940

 

Media clips

Podcasts

"Supporting Parents - A Conversation with Shahla Ala'i-Rosales". The Behavioral View, February 27, 2025. URL

“Finding Confidence as a Parent”. Moms Talk Autism, June 3, 2024. URL

“Our Next Guest, A Conversation with Drs. Shahla Ala’i-Rosales and Bridget Taylor, and Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe”. Behavior Live (CEUS available), Summer 2024. URL

“Importance of Family Guidance”. ABA Unfiltered, March 21, 2024. URL

“ABA as a Science of Love and Change with Dr. Shahla Ala’i-Rosales and Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe”. Autism Outreach, August 15, 2023. URL

“Preview: Between Now and Dreams book club”. ABA Inside Track, February 3, 2023. URL

“Bonus Episode: An Interview with Dr. Shahla Ala’i-Rosales and Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe”. ABA Inside Track, January 30, 2023. URL

Articles

Commentary: Communities can help a family with an autistic child. March 26, 2023, San Antonio Express-News.

Telehealth offers boost to children with developmental needs. New research shows online help for children, parents and caregivers enhances services once limited to personal visits. January, 2023, ICT News. Also linked with Solutions Journalism.

Reviews

Celiberti, D., & Heward, W. L. (2023). Book Review: Between Now and Dreams. Science in Autism Treatment, 20(3).

Hockman, A. (2023). Book And Product Review: A First‐Stop Read for New Autism Caregivers and All Professionals: Review of Ala’i‐Rosales and Heinkel‐Wolfe’s Responsible and Responsive Parenting in Autism: Between Now and Dreams. Behavior Analysis in Practice (accepted for publication, April 3).