In this video, the mother of a young girl named Elisa describes the first signs of autism she noticed, the years of therapy that followed, and the changes she has seen since Elisa received stem cell treatment at MexStemCells in Mexico City. The video is in Spanish, and we have translated her key words below.
Before Treatment
Elisa’s mother noticed early that something was different. Like many parents, she then spent years moving between therapies.
“Around eight months to a year, I started to notice that she did not imitate.”
Alrededor de 8 meses, un año, yo empecé a notar que no imitaba.
Elisa’s mother · 0:00
“We have gone to thousands of therapies.”
Hemos ido a miles de terapias.
Elisa’s mother · 0:37
She describes speech therapy, ABA, play-based behavioural therapy and sensory therapy, along with screaming episodes that were hard to calm. An earlier video from Elisa’s family describes the same range of therapies.
What She Describes Now
1:01
Talking moreElisa holds conversations and has moved from single words to full phrases.
1:23
More independentShe dressed herself at a school sleepover and tells her mother what she wants to eat.
1:35
Calmer in publicShe can sit through a meal at a restaurant.
2:50
Playing with othersShe now seeks out other children, though she still needs some help.
“Thank God, my daughter is already talking much more.”
Gracias a Dios, mi hija ya está hablando mucho más.
Elisa’s mother · 1:01
Reading a Parent’s Story Carefully
Her relief comes through clearly. Before drawing conclusions for your own family, keep three things in mind.
- Elisa was in intensive therapy at the same time. Children also develop with age, so one video cannot show how much of the change came from the cell treatment.
- No assessments are shown. The video does not include developmental test scores or reports from Elisa’s therapists or doctors.
- The treatment details are not given. The cell type, dose and number of sessions are not described.
What Research Shows
Stem cell treatment for autism is still experimental and is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Published studies are small. The largest randomized trial so far, run at Duke University with umbilical cord blood, did not find a clear improvement in its main measure of social skills across the group of children. Our autism treatment guide explains the research in more detail, and our guide to developmental delay covers related options for younger children.
For parents weighing this decision
- Talk it through with your child’s paediatrician or developmental specialist before booking anything.
- Ask the provider for written answers on cell source, testing and safety monitoring.
- Keep your child’s current therapies in place, so you can see any change clearly.
Questions Families Often Ask
Is stem cell therapy approved for autism?
No regulator in the United States or Europe has approved it. Some countries allow providers to offer it under their own rules, so ask which authority oversees the treatment you are offered.
Does stem cell treatment cure autism?
No. Autism is a lifelong difference in how the brain develops. Providers describe the aim as supporting areas such as communication or behaviour, and results vary widely between children.
Should therapies stop during treatment?
No. Speech, behavioural and occupational therapies are the established treatments for autism. Talk to your child’s doctor before changing any part of their care.
What type of cells are usually used?
Many providers use mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord tissue or the child’s own cells. The video does not say which cells Elisa received, so ask the provider directly.
How is the treatment given to a child?
It is usually given through an IV drip, sometimes with other routes. Ask whether sedation is used and who monitors your child during and after treatment.
What side effects should we ask about?
Ask about fever, headache, infection risk and reactions during the infusion, and what follow-up the provider offers once you are back home.
How should we track progress?
Agree on measures before treatment, such as reports from your child’s therapists, so any change can be compared fairly over time.
Exploring Options for Your Child?
A PlacidWay patient coordinator can help you collect clear answers from providers, including which cells they use and how they track progress, before you decide.
Video Transcript Summary
A timestamped English summary of the Spanish video. Select a time to watch that moment on YouTube.
References
- PlacidWay. MexStemCells autism video and Spanish transcript.
- Dawson G, et al. A Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Umbilical Cord Blood Infusion for Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Pediatrics, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consumer Alert on Regenerative Medicine Products Including Stem Cells and Exosomes.
Disclaimer. This page describes one family’s experience and is not medical advice. Every child is different. Speak with your child’s doctor before making treatment decisions.
