Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects millions worldwide, including thousands in Australia. This complex neurodevelopmental condition manifests in communication challenges, repetitive behaviours, and sensory sensitivities. As parents and caregivers seek effective solutions, stem cell treatment for autism has emerged as a potential option. However, before diving into this new therapy, families often ask about the cost of stem cells and how much these treatments might impact their budgets.
On average, the cost of this therapy for autism in Australia ranges from $7,000 to $31,000 per session, depending on the type of stem cells used. Despite these costs, the therapy’s potential to improve quality of life when no other therapy can be helpful is making it a solid option for Australian families.
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy leverages the regenerative capabilities of these cells to address the neurological and systemic imbalances associated with autism. It aims to treat damaged tissues, reduce inflammation, and promote healthier brain function, making it a valuable option in autism treatment. Stem cell transplants, particularly those using mesenchymal stem cells, are showing promising results.
How Does It Work for Autism Treatment?
Stem cells are unique in their ability to transform into different cell types. For autism treatment, the process typically involves:
- Stem Cell Harvesting: They are sourced from various tissues, with umbilical cord and bone marrow being common sources. These cells are carefully processed to ensure their quality and effectiveness.
- Transplantation: They are introduced into the patient’s body, where they target inflammation and promote neural regeneration.
- Therapeutic Effects: They modulate the immune system, reduce oxidative stress, and enhance brain connectivity, potentially improving symptoms like social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviours.
Potential Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Autism
Although not a cure, they provides several benefits for individuals with autism. These include:
- Improved Social and Communication Skills: Families report enhanced verbal and non-verbal communication and better engagement in social settings.
- Reduction in Behavioural Challenges: Therapies can help reduce repetitive behaviours, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, contributing to better emotional regulation.
- Cognitive Enhancements: Increased brain connectivity and reduced inflammation support focus, memory retention, and cognitive processing.
These improvements highlight the potential of stem cell transplants to enhance the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families.
Types of Stem Cells Used in Autism Treatment
To better understand its therapeutic potential, learning more about the types of cells used in this therapy is important. Several types of stem cells are utilised in autism treatment, each with unique benefits:
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs): Known for their strong anti-inflammatory properties, MSCs are commonly sourced from umbilical cord tissue. They help reduce neural inflammation and enhance brain function.
- Exosomes: These vesicles amplify the therapeutic effects by improving cellular communication.
Safety and Side Effects
Like any medical procedure, stem cell therapy comes with potential side effects. While the majority of patients experience minimal complications, some reported side effects include:
- Mild fever or fatigue after the transplant.
- Localised pain or swelling at the injection site.
- Rare cases of allergic reactions or immune responses.
It is crucial for families considering stem cell treatment for autism to consult reputable clinics and medical professionals to be correctly informed and minimise risks.
Autism Treatment Landscape in Australia
In Australia, stem cell therapy is gaining momentum as an innovative solution for managing autism. Families exploring this option should consider:
Criteria | Details |
Clinic Expertise | Look for clinics with a strong track record in regenerative medicine. |
Treatment Protocols | Understand the type of stem cells used and their potential benefits. |
Cost Considerations | Plan for the average cost of therapy and any associated expenses, such as travel or follow-up care. |
Finding a Reliable Clinic
When selecting a clinic for stem cell therapy, it is essential to prioritise safety and expertise. A reputable clinic should offer the following:
- A detailed explanation of the treatment process.
- Transparent information about the cost, potential side effects, and expected outcomes.
- A team of qualified professionals with experience in autism treatment.
One trusted name is IM Clinic, which is known for its cutting-edge techniques and patient-centred care. While not located in Australia but in Serbia, IM Clinic has gained international recognition for its expertise in regenerative medicine and its commitment to improving the lives of individuals with autism.
Conclusion
Stem cell therapy is a promising option for autism treatment in Australia and beyond. By addressing the root causes of autism, reducing inflammation, and promoting neural regeneration, stem cell transplants offer an alternative solution for families seeking new ways to treat this disorder. As the field continues to evolve, innovators like IM Clinic provide hope and effective care, ensuring that individuals with autism receive the support they need to thrive.
For Australian families exploring alternative therapies and destinations, stem cell treatment in IM Clinic represents a potential option in autism care, with the capacity to improve the quality of life for individuals and their families.
IV & Intrathecal Injections
UCBSC / UCMSC Cells
15 to 23 Days Stay
Daily Therapy Program
Questions and answers
Autism spectrum disorder is not a disease, but rather a neurological condition. Consequently, ASD cannot be cured but rather helped with.
According to research and our practice, stem cells can help:
- Contribute to the development of essential skills, such as hygiene and self-care.
- Assist in the development of communication skills, in particular empathy, so that the child can express their feelings and needs more confidently, establish emotional connections, and socialize.
- Reduce or eliminate digestive difficulties, infection susceptibility, and allergies.
- Avoid using painful or potentially harmful methods and procedures.
There are a number of treatments we use: intravenous injections of stem cells, inhalation of exosomes, nasal spray with macrophages, and so on. Each treatment program is tailored specifically to the patient’s needs.
To learn more about patients’ results at our clinic, check out our patients’ reviews on YouTube. For in-depth information about stem cell therapy for autism, read our article.
Dozens of clinical trials conducted by researchers have demonstrated the safety of using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy. We can be certain that stem cells will not in any way harm the patient.
We are sure both of the general safety of stem cells and of the safety of MSC obtained from umbilical cord blood and placentas, which we use in our clinic:
Safety of stem cells in general. MSCs have immunomodulatory properties, which means they can reduce inflammation and inhibit immune reactions that could lead to tissue damage or rejection. They also typically lack MHC Class II molecules, making them less likely to trigger an immune response.
It’s important to notice that although stem cell therapy is considered safe, an overdose can prove quite harmful: the possible consequences include vascular overload, blood clots, and retention in the lungs, which may result in respiratory failure. That is why, for safety reasons, we determine the dose for every patient individually, never exceeding the maximum safe dose.
Safety of the product that we use. MSCs derived from umbilical cords and placentas are harvested in a sterile environment, ensuring there is no risk of contamination. These tissues are usually discarded after childbirth, making the harvesting process ethically straightforward and non-invasive. Before donating the cells, the donors undergo a complete medical examination to ensure their health, lack of infections, and possible aggravating factors.
Before being used in treatments, MSCs undergo a series of rigorous tests to ensure their purity, viability, and sterility. This includes checks for bacterial, fungal, and viral contamination, as well as genetic and molecular testing to confirm their identity and function.
You can learn more about the safety of stem cells in our article.
Usually the results present themselves in 1–3 months after the treatment, with the peak at 6 months and up to 1 year. Sometimes the first signs of improvement can be seen during the course of treatment. It is important to notice that the younger the patient, the better the potential results.
Stem cells can last in a patient’s body for up to 6–8 months. While present in the body, they create a window of opportunity for the child to learn new things and develop skills, such as eye contact, self-care basics, communication skills, and so on.
Whatever the child will be able to learn during that period will stay with them forever, meaning that the improvement will be stable and there will be no regress to the pre-treatment state.
One treatment at the clinic typically lasts from 3 to 9 days. There is typically one injection a day plus a couple of non-invasive procedures, like inhalations.
If the results are satisfactory, you can come again and repeat the treatment to maximize the improvements. We usually recommend that patients come to the next treatment no sooner than 6 months after the previous one.
We use cord blood and placental stem cells, which are administered by intravenous and intramuscular injections. To ensure patient comfort, we use mild sedation when necessary. Our treatment also includes exosome inhalation.
7. Is it a 100% cure?
Although 80% of our patients report improvements, stem cell therapy is not a magic pill. The autism spectrum disorder is not a disease per se and has no known cure. But the possible improvements are nothing to dismiss:
- better eye contact;
- better communication, both verbal and non-verbal;
- better contact with parents, peers, and other people;
- better hygiene skills;
- enhanced focus;
- diminished aggression and autoaggression;
- better appetite and fewer gastrointestinal problems.
The individual results vary depending on the age, severity of the condition, and other factors.
The side effects are only temporary and may occur directly after the procedure: basically, a slight increase in temperature over the course of several hours, nausea, or general malaise—and even those side effects only happen in 5% of cases.
There are no lasting side effects.
Technically, yes, but we generally advise against it.
Firstly, donor cells take about a month to be cultivated, which would mean you’d have to come to the clinic twice: first for harvesting the cells, and then for an actual treatment for the child. Secondly, the ASD can sometimes be genetic, which means that the parent’s stem cells might not be as effective in treating autism in the child as the donor cells with no ASD history in the family. And last, compared to donor stem cells from the placenta or umbilical cord, adult donor’s cells are typically fewer in number and less active.
For these reasons, we generally recommend using cells from a donor who is not a patient’s parent, with all the necessary safety checks and precautions. However, you can always discuss this issue with your consulting doctor and reach a final decision together.
