By Lisa Ackerman
We know stem cell therapy offer treatment solutions for many other conditions (such as leukemia, lymphoma and other issues.) A newly approved FDA pilot study will look at stem cell therapy from cord blood & autism as a possible solution for treatment. The timeline for this pilot study is 1-2 years.
Some parents of children with autism are reporting positive results from traveling outside the United States for stem cell treatment at a great personal cost. Studies like this one need to demonstrate that this treatment is a viable solution for autism. There is no current best practice, FDA approved or insurance paid solution for autism and stem cell therapy today. The cost for travel and treatment is something many families cannot afford. In addition, there are no current standards for this treatment and what type of stem cell therapy is effective for individuals with autism.
We are hopeful for some treatment answers for families living with autism. This pilot study shows a lot of potential and we will be watching it closely.
Read more http://fox13now.com/2012/08/22/stem-cell-research-may-have-application-to-treat-autism/
Moving Autism Forward by Team TACA 
My daughter has been in a full time program since being diagnosed at 2. She first received help from district and than after a medical diagnosis, went into a full time private program where has received aba, speech and occupational therapy. I can swear by early intervention and aba therapy, which I truly believe saved my daughter. I am sure with stem cell research, there is more substantial findings than before. Thank you for sharing.
Hi there Autism Bridge1,
There are MANY traditional therapies (i.e. speech, OT, ABA) and biomedical treatments available that ARE best practices.
We love and support both traditional therapies and biomedical treatments for autism. Link http://www.tacanow.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/AJ-Blueprints-Medical-Intervention_updated_4.30.12.pdf
What we are excited about are stem cells for different sub types of autism. Those sub types and treatments need definition before they are recommended.
Thanks,
Lisa @ TACA
I am thrilled to hear about this research. Thank you for sharing! What is the best way to keep up to date on the progress and ultimate findings of this study? I am very interested because I have a son with Autism and we have his cord blood from birth in storage. From the moment we received his diagnosis, I have been hoping and praying that his stem cells might someday be helpful to him.
I will keep families updated as I get updates. This research is hugely important to many.
I will update here on TACAnowblog.
Take care-
Lisa
Great job here. I really enjoyed what you had to say. Keep going because you definitely bring a new voice to this subject. Not many people would say what youve said and still make it interesting. Well, at least Im interested. Cant wait to see more of this from you.