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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

Stem cell therapy for ASD?

69 replies

stardustmum · 07/05/2013 08:51

Hi
Just wondering if anyone has tried this for their ASD dc.
My son is 4, on an ABA programme and pretty HF. I am encouraged by latest research on stem cell therapy on ASD kids in the US and am considering participating in a UK trial.

OP posts:

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zzzzz · 08/05/2013 14:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lougle · 08/05/2013 14:47

I've been reading this thread with interest. I think there is cause for concern.

Salondon you say

"Stardust isn?t able to discuss the trial openly because she doesn?t want to jeopardise someone else's research."

There are ways of discussing these matters without alluding to a trial and then refusing to discuss it on an open talk board. In fact, I think this is a worrying thing, to ask people to contact off board if they want further information. The information either is open to the public or it isn't.

I wonder if it would work anyway. As another poster has said, there would need to be 'damage' for it to work. Is ASD the result of 'damage' or simply the result of 'alternative networking' in the brain? The jury is out, I believe.

If ASD is a result of 'alternative networking' from birth, then there is no 'damage' to fix, although there are certain elements that prevent a person with ASD from accessing successfully the society within which we live.

Huge ethical issues there.

My DD has a brain 'malformation.' That means that although her brain is not 'right' or 'typical' it's likely that the different structure of her brain has been present from birth. There is no 'damage' to fix.

salondon · 08/05/2013 15:00

I am probably missing the point here. I think the discussion was "have you heard of stem cell therapy", right?

I always thought they only do it in US as of now.

I got the wrong end fo the stick...

saintlyjimjams · 08/05/2013 15:16

Why would discussing research affect it negatively?

lougle · 08/05/2013 15:28

salondon, this sentence:
stardustmum Wed 08-May-13 09:03:35
"I am not advocating stem cell therapy. I'm merely researching (with a critical eye) and would like to get in touch with parents who have either done this abroad or may be interested in finding out more about it."

is what concerns me. Why does it matter who else may be interested in finding out more about it if you yourself are only interested in finding out more about it?

I don't think it's helpful to raise a subject then tell people you'll only discuss it via PM. It's almost advertising.

salondon · 08/05/2013 15:32

Yes your point makes sense lougle. I was more curious and less skeptical and went and PMed her. All I am saying is that atleast in this instance, we have a genuine mum asking her fellow board members if they have heard about this study from other sources.

salondon · 08/05/2013 15:34

and I should add, I havent heard of this study in UK and that is why I was even more curious

lougle · 08/05/2013 15:46

No, all you are saying is that in your opinion you have a genuine mum asking her fellow board members if they have heard of this study from other sources.

As this poster has not given any details about the said study, or even potential study, then no one can give a reasonable answer.

As the poster won't give any clue as to her source, no one can investigate for themselves.

I'm not about to PM someone to discuss something which could either be discussed on board, or not discussed at all.

salondon · 08/05/2013 15:52

okay, understood.. thanks

infamouspoo · 08/05/2013 16:27

Is ABA not allowed to be discussed then?

zzzzz · 08/05/2013 16:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

infamouspoo · 08/05/2013 16:46

Kinda glad most of my kids are grown and I'm guessing any ABA therapist would run a mile from a child with ASD who also has severe cerebral palsy and no speech.

blueShark · 08/05/2013 16:54

blimey - most holistic therapies get called Snake Oil.

Well in my experience few 'snake oils' have helped my DS come a very long long way. I have done AIT, retained reflexes, homeopathy, cranial osteopathy, TH, biomedical, HBOT...and they have all helped a bit. You just have to find the right provider!

I have carefully researched stem stells for few months now and know of people with children with ASD and CP that have done it with some success and improvements. I will certainly not brand it as a 'cure' but every little helps.

StarlightMcKenzie · 08/05/2013 17:00

poo There is a poster here who is doing ABA with a child with CP.

infamouspoo · 08/05/2013 17:01

I reckon if they dont work they should return your money.

infamouspoo · 08/05/2013 17:09

plus, with CP, as the child grows, you have absolutely no idea if they were going to improve or not anyhow. So there's no evidence. DS has never physically developed beyond a newborn. He has newborn reflexes. Has horrendous contractures, cant even lift his head or roll. Not one thing we wasted money on made a jot of difference depite the outrageous promises of Brainwave, HBOT etc and the vast sums of money. During cranial osteopathy he started fitting and the therapist said 'oh, thats good, its the stress coming out'. Stupid man. the fits were infantile spasms that nearly killed ds and nearly destroyed his intellect. Stress coming out my arse.
I now have zero respect for anything that hasnt has double blind scientific studies. If these things work, lets see some studies. But desperate parents will continue to throw money at crystal wavers, money they probably dont have as when you care 24/7 you dont get to go to work as well.
I do hope the stem cell stuff gets decent funding but I am dubious about brain repair. Spinal cord repair I can see but brain repair, I dont know. But we live in hope.

blueShark · 08/05/2013 21:17

infamouspoo - I wish all providers did money back guarantee, I am yet to find one! Everyone promises results and when you question the what if it is doesnt work you get well the brain is different with everyone, you never know!

And is the same with every child I think, you never know as they grow whether they will improve or not. But I will feel deeply guilty if I didnt try what I researched to be possible improvement for my DS.

I know a mum of a CP child that has done over 1000 HBOT with him and lots of other therapies and she said yet there are children in his class that were more severe than him and grew up in front of the TV and improved more somehow....

Nkxx · 15/05/2022 20:47

Hi, please I would love to know if you got the stem cell treatment and if it worked for you

Nkxx · 15/05/2022 20:51

Hi, please I would love to know if you got the stem cell treatment and if it worked for you

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