All children with autism respond to treatment differently, which is one of the reasons even autism experts and researchers can't pinpoint which single treatment works best for children who have this condition. The autism specialists who authored this book recommend observing your child's response to each treatment and adjusting the treatment accordingly. After reading Parenting Your Child Through the Challenges of Autism, parents themselves will become the expert on their child's autism and choose from a range of research-backed autism programs.

These programs are divided into three sections: disproven treatments, questionable treatments, and well-proven treatments. With this knowledge in hand, parents can trust themselves and establish customized treatment plans that draw on one or more of these programs for the best results. The book also offers information on medications and a variety of practical dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills parents can start using right away to improve their children's responses. Mindfulness and emotion regulation skills are provided to help parents avoid unproductive feelings of despair and disappointment that may arise on the path to finding the best treatments for their children.