Parents in your area will become a very important resource for you.  Other parents will know which therapists and consultants are experienced and knowledgeable and which are not.  

Useful resources for locating other parents are organizations like:

FEAT (Families for Early Autism Treatment)-  This is a non-profit organization of parents that advocate for early and intensive treatment for children with Autism.  They have several chapters throughout the U.S.  Their website is http://www.feat.org/

Autism Society of America- The ASA is one of the oldest Autism non-profit organizations and may have chapters in areas that FEAT does not.  Their website is http://www.autism-society.org/

The ARC of the United States- is an advocacy group that also my have resources to direct you to other parents and professionals in your area.  Their website is http://www.thearc.org/