Pain science has historically failed autistic children and youth. Autistic youth and their families have been systematically excluded from decades of pain research, despite the fact that recent evidence suggests higher rates of chronic pain, pain-inducing accidents, and co-occurring painful illnesses in young people with autism. Differences in social communication and cognition mean that pain measures validated in neurotypical youth may not be appropriate in the context of autism and coupled with increased rates of placebo responses, may together necessitate adaptations to the clinical encounter with the clinician (e.g., physiotherapy, psychological interventions, prescribing of pharmacotherapies). However, current research may not be sufficient to guide effective pain assessment and care to children with autism and their families. This panel discussion will cover a variety of topics relevant to advancing our capacity to develop novel approaches to assessment and treatment of acute and chronic pain in autistic children and youth, including patient-parent-provider communication, appreciating the impact of intellectual impairment, the presence of placebo effects in treatment, and sex/gender influences, sharing findings from qualitative and quantitative research.  We will also engage in a discussion with panelists and audience members around increasing the accessibility of pain research methods for autistic children and youth, including patient partnership.