Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior, with a prevalence of one in 54 children in the United States. While there is no cure for autism, there are several therapies that can help children with autism improve their communication, social skills, and behavior. However, autism is often discussed in ways that suggest that autistic people are subjects who cannot actively participate in their own treatment, and this has led to autism treatments that do not benefit autistic people being promoted.
What is Autism?
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can make daily life more challenging, as autistic people may have difficulty understanding social cues or making friends, and may also experience sensory sensitivities. However, autistic people can still contribute to their treatment by providing valuable input about their own experiences and preferences. By involving self-advocating autistic people in the research and development of autism treatments, their unique perspective can help ensure that treatments are effective for the autistic community. Autistic people may face challenges in daily life, but with support and the opportunity to contribute to their own care, they can thrive and make valuable contributions to society. It is important to see them for what they are: people capable of making meaningful contributions to their treatment. 
Explaining Applied Behavior Analysis
One of the most effective treatments for autism, according to both researchers and self-advocating autistic people, is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA is a behavior-based therapy that involves breaking down complex behaviors into smaller, more manageable parts and teaching them through positive reinforcement. 
Researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute, ABA have been found to be effective in improving communication, social skills, and adaptive behavior in children with autism. In fact, ABA-based interventions, such as functional communication training and noncontingent reinforcement, have been identified as "well-established" treatments for autism. Systematic approaches have been developed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for treating autism in children, which are used to guide clinical practice, influence regulations, prioritize funding, and guide professional training. ABA-based interventions, such as functional communication training and noncontingent reinforcement, have been identified as "well-established" treatments for autism. However, as Yu, Li, and Liang note, research on the effectiveness of ABA-based interventions is still ongoing, and more studies are needed to accumulate evidence on the effect of ABA-based interventions on general symptoms of ASD due to limited research. What they found is that current evidence does support the conclusion that ABA-based interventions do not lead to significant effects on general symptoms of ASD, but significant effects on socialization, communication, and expressive language. 
Using Evidence to Guide Treatment
Chantal Rainford of Nevada Autism Center emphasizes the need for families to rely on evidence-based advice when seeking treatment options for their children with ASD. She explains that the Nevada Autism Center uses Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) because their training requires them to use “evidence-based practices to understand the functions of behavior according to the ABCs – Antecedent, Behavior, Consequences”. The treatment process ensures that there is positive reinforcement and that there is “input doctors, parents, teachers, and the student themselves help to identify reinforcers for the student”. This is an important point given that self-advocating ASD people have urged doctors and researchers to include them in the process of developing treatment protocols. In doing so, positive reinforcement becomes more effective, and behavior modification becomes more successful.
Working Together for Solutions
According to Bellon-Harn, Boyd, and Manchaiah, the challenge for families of children with ASD lies in navigating a complex landscape of treatment options and information sources, and professionals must be equipped to support them in this process. ABA has been able to advance because it is built on the input of important stakeholders, including the autistic community that has to live with autism and the treatments that researchers offer. It is crucial to involve self-advocating autistic people in the research and development of autism treatments, as their perspective is valuable in ensuring that treatments are truly effective for the autistic community.
Overall, understanding the perspectives and preferences of stakeholders, including advocacy communities, clinical professionals, and researchers, is crucial for supporting families in making the best decisions for their children. It is important for families to rely on evidence-based advice when seeking treatment options for their children with ASD, and for professionals to understand the discourse landscape of various online and social media outlets to help families make informed decisions about treatment options.
Conclusion
Navigating the complex landscape of autism treatment options is like exploring a vast ocean. Families of children with autism face a sea of information, much of which is confusing and unreliable. Like a captain charting a course through treacherous waters, professionals must guide families toward evidence-based treatments such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). However, to truly navigate this ocean successfully, it's important to have input from all stakeholders, including self-advocating autistic individuals. They serve as the lighthouse, guiding professionals to develop treatments that are truly effective for the autistic community.