Best Autism Treatment in India: Research-Backed Option

Best Autism Treatment in India: The Current Scenario

Autism is a complex neural developmental and behavioral disorder that affects millions of children globally. In India, approximately 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism. Besides, the male: female ratio for autism prevalence is 3:1. Early diagnosis and treatment strongly complies with positive long-term outcomes among infants and toddlers with autism.  

In this blog, we will explore the most popular treatment for Autism in India and talk about what research is backing it up.

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Signs & Symptoms 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects a child’s developmental process, such as communication skills, social behavior, essential life skills, etc. Some early signs and symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) include: 

• Lack of Response: Unlike normal children, autistic children show a delayed ability to respond when called by their names. 
• Limited Eye Contact: Autistic children avoid eye contact and have difficulty in social engagement
• Late Speech Development: The Child shows late speech development, like cooing or babbling by 1 year, and not speaking basic words by the age of 1.5 years. 
• Limited Gestures: Autistic children find difficulty in learning basic gestures like blinking, pointing, waving, etc.
• Repetitive/Restrictive Behavior: An Autistic child shows repetitive movements like hand flapping, clapping, etc. They show disregard for the position or order of certain toys or books.

Challenges with Autism Treatment in India

In India, there are several challenges associated with the early detection of an autistic child, such as:

• Lack of Awareness: Parents or caregivers in India are unaware of the early signs and symptoms of ASD, hence delays in seeking professional help. Parents are often ignorant that their child could have ASD, hence undertaking a different approach.
• Limited Access to Resources: In India, various regions, especially remote areas, lack specialized healthcare professionals who can guide parents or caregivers about autism.
• Variability in Signs & Symptoms: The severity of signs and symptoms associated with ASD varies among children. Identification of the exact problems based on their disparate behavior is often difficult for parents.  

Overview of Best Autism Treatment in India: 

Conventionally, the Best Autism Treatment in India includes:

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): Healthcare professionals focus on ABA that encourages desirable behaviors and discourages undesirable behaviors, hence improving various skills. ABA focuses on giving step-by-step instructions to children and teaching them desirable behavior. The sessions are often simple and segregated into smaller parts. With desirable behavior, a child is often rewarded, and undesirable behavior is often ignored. In case of a child refraining from visiting the clinic, the sessions are planned in home settings.
• Speech Therapy (ST): ST belongs to the developmental approaches that improve a child’s ability to speak and learn language. Children, based on their needs, are encouraged to communicate both verbally and non-verbally. 
• Occupational Therapy (OT): OT focuses on skill development that enables children to live independently. This focuses on improving sensory behavior as well as the development of fine motor skills. OT helps in developing necessary skills like dressing, bathing, eating, and other skills.
• Palliative Care: Medications might be recommended for children who can boost their energy levels, lack focus, or manage self-destructive behaviors. Medication might also be prescribed for managing co-occurring psychological conditions like agitation, anxiety, seizures, etc. 

The choice of therapy recommended for autistic children depends on their personalized needs and the severity of the problem. Early detection of ASD signs and symptoms aids in better management and positive outcomes. Despite the popularity of these therapies in treating ASD, all the approaches focus on its management aspects rather than curative aspects.

Science-Backed ASD Treatment Approach- Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy for autism is a popular emerging area that is subjected to rigorous research. Evidence-based study highlighting the intravenous application of stem cells showed improvement in immune system regulation and neural connectivity in the brain. The therapy focuses on the repair and regeneration of new cells and replacing damaged cells. 

Stem cell therapy helps children with ASD through various mechanisms. These include:

• Repair Mechanism: Stem cell therapy aims to address the root cause of the problem. It consists of various growth factors and proteins that induce repair mechanisms in the brain.  The damaged nerve cells are either repaired or replaced by new cells, which improves neural connectivity.
• Reduces Inflammation: Stem cells consist of various anti-inflammatory signals that reduce the presence of chronic inflammation in the autistic brain. 
• Modulation of the Immune System: Stem cell therapy aids in the restoration of immune function that disrupts appropriate brain development. 
• Improves Blood Flow and Oxygenation: Stem cells possess the ability to develop new blood vessels (neovascularization) in the brain. This enables adequate blood supply in the brain and improves oxygenation. 

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in ASD Treatment

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are the leading stem cell type that are used for stem cell therapy in autistic children. The primary sources to obtain Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) include adipose fat tissue, umbilical cord blood, and embryonic stem cells. However, due to ethical concerns, embryonic stem cell use is restricted. MSCs are a popular choice in regenerative medicine as:

• Effectively treat inflammation
• Immune-privileged cells, due to which do not trigger a patient’s immune system. On treatment, there is are lower chance of immune rejection. 

Stages Involved in Stem Cell Treatment for Autism

There is no standard approach defined for implication of stem cell therapy for ASD patients. In general following are the stages:

• Pre-Treatment Checks: The Healthcare practitioner gets the detailed medical history and analyses the specific needs of the patient
• Collection: Superior quality stem cells to be used for the treatment are procured for the therapy
• Injection: The stem cells are injected into the patient. The route of administration might be either through the vein or the spinal canal.
• Follow-up: After administration of the stem cell injection, healthcare practitioners provide strict instructions related to care needs. The detailed specifications related to aftercare are provided to patients, and follow-ups at appropriate time periods are discussed.    

Cost of Stem Cell Therapy for Autism Treatment in India

Typically, the cost of stem cell therapy for autism treatment in India varies depending on the severity of the problem, chosen clinic, type of stem cells, number of stem cells required, etc., used for the treatment. The cost varies between $4000 USD $8000 USD. The comparative cost of the stem cell therapy in India is relatively lower in comparison with the cost incurred in the Western world. 

Why Choose Stem Cell Therapy for the Best Autism Treatment in India

Currently, India is the leading choice among healthcare practitioners in the field of regenerative medicine, like stem cell therapy for autism. The presence of quality research and specialized clinics makes it a popular choice. Statistically, 60-80% of the patients treated with stem cell therapy have positive outcomes in India. The main improvements noted are based on:

• Regeneration of the nerve cells and restricting the deterioration of more nerves in the autistic brain
• Reduction of inflammation
• Improvement in fine motor skills and motor movement

The presence of specialized clinics and experienced clinicians in India makes it a popular choice for medical tourism. Advancells is a superior quality stem cell manufacturer that follows stringent guidelines for the production of stem cells. 

Is Stem Cell Therapy the Best Treatment for Autism in India?

Stem cell therapy possesses tremendous advantages, including:

• Minimally invasive and safe treatment option
• Minimal risk with MSCs for allergic and immune reactions
• Long-term positive outcome

However, before choosing stem cell therapy, parents must keep certain factors in mind, such as:

• Choosing renowned clinics and experienced clinicians 
• Stringent following pre- and post-treatment guidelines
• Follow-ups and aftercare guidelines
• Through discussion of the possible side effects
• Avoid unrealistic claims or promises, as the outcome of stem cell therapy varies among individuals; hence, beware of clinics that claim 100% success.

*NOTE: Stem cell therapy is not yet FDA-approved; hence, never fall for clinics claiming FDA-approved treatment.

Autism Patient Success Stories

Future of Autism Best Treatment in India

Autism isn’t a disability- it is a different way of reacting to the world. The reality is that popular personalities like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Albert Einstein were autistic children. Stem Cell Therapy next-generation treatment option that can address the root cause of autism.

There is no shame in calling for help if your child behaves differently. We encourage every parent to break the stigma and discuss autism openly. India could be one of the nations where autistic children are not only accepted but celebrated for their special abilities. 

We strongly believe that Every Child is Unique-Make the best choice that suits your child’s needs.

FAQ’s

Q- What do I do if my child is autistic?

Autistic children show unique behavioral and developmental symptoms like acting disinterested, avoiding eye contact, lacking verbal and non-verbal communication, low muscle tone, non-responsive to sensory actions, etc.

Q- What treatment is best for my child?

There are various conventional treatment options to treat autism, like speech therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis, occupational therapy, medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc. 

Q- Does stem cell therapy help my child with autism?

Stem cell is a new hope for every parent whose child is autistic. Stem cell therapy is curative and addresses the root cause of the problem by regenerating new neural cells, reducing inflammation, and maintaining the balance of the immune system.

Q- How much time will it take to see notable results after stem cell therapy?

Notable Results after stem cell therapy in children with autism generally appear within a few weeks. Gradual improvement might occur over a period of up to 12 months.