In this article
Choosing a provider for your child is a big decision, and it is completely natural to feel unsure where to begin. You might have read a lot online, heard different things from other parents or simply feel tired from trying to make sense of it all.
A good list of questions can help. It gives you something steady to hold onto in conversations, and it helps you notice whether a provider is open, careful and honest. Here are twelve questions we encourage every family to ask, including when they speak with us.
Questions about the research
1. What does published research say, including studies that found no difference?
A careful provider will talk about the whole picture. For example, the Duke University randomized trial published in 2020 included 180 autistic children and found no significant difference compared with placebo on its main measures. A 2022 systematic review of five controlled studies with 325 children reported mostly mild side effects and concluded that larger trials are needed.
Why it matters: a provider who only shares encouraging stories is not giving you the full picture. Honest answers here build trust for everything else.
2. Which cell type do you use, and why?
Most published studies use cells from donated umbilical cord blood or umbilical cord tissue. Ask which one the provider uses and why they chose it.
Why it matters: different cells have been studied in different ways. Our article on cord blood vs cord tissue cells explains the difference in plain language.
Questions about quality and safety
3. Where are the cells prepared, and what certifications does the laboratory hold?
Ask whether the provider has its own laboratory or uses a partner, and what quality standards it follows.
Why it matters: the way cells are handled, stored and tracked is part of safety. At MRC Healthcare, cells are prepared in our own in house laboratory, which holds ISO 9001:2015 quality management and GMP certification, and we are happy to explain what that means in practice.
4. How are cells tested before use?
Ask what checks happen before cells are released for a child.
Why it matters: testing is how a laboratory confirms that what it prepares meets its own standards. A provider should be able to describe this clearly.
5. Who is on the medical team?
Ask who will review your child's history, who will be present on the day and who you can contact later.
Why it matters: you deserve to know the people caring for your child, and to have a named contact if you have a worry.
6. What side effects have been reported, and how will you respond to them?
Ask about side effects seen in studies and in the provider's own care, and what the team does if they happen.
Why it matters: an honest answer shows that the provider takes safety seriously. Our article on whether stem cell therapy for autism is safe covers what studies have reported.
Questions about care and follow up
7. How will my child be monitored during and after treatment?
Ask what the team watches for on the day and in the hours afterwards.
Why it matters: close, calm monitoring is part of good care, and knowing about it in advance can ease a lot of worry.
8. What follow up will we have?
Ask how progress is tracked over time and how often you will speak with the team.
Why it matters: following up over weeks and months gives a fuller picture than any single day. Our programme tracks progress over time and reviews it together with families.
9. Will I receive a written quote after a medical review?
Ask whether pricing is explained in writing, and only after the medical team has reviewed your child.
Why it matters: a plan should be based on your child's needs, not on a fixed package offered before anyone has read their history. Our article on what affects the cost of stem cell therapy explains why.
10. Is there any pressure to decide quickly?
Notice how the conversation feels. Are there deadlines, limited places or discounts that expire?
Why it matters: there should never be pressure. You deserve time to think, ask more questions and talk with your family.
11. How will my child's records be handled?
Ask how reports and results are stored, shared and protected, and whether you will receive copies.
Why it matters: your child's information is private, and you should stay in control of it.
12. What aftercare and support will we have when we return home?
Ask who you can contact once you are home and how the provider works with your child's existing therapists and medical team.
Why it matters: stem cell therapy, where suitable, works alongside existing therapies and never replaces them. Good aftercare keeps everyone connected.
How to use this list
You do not need to ask every question at once. You might like to:
- print the list or save it on your phone
- write down answers during each conversation
- share the answers with a partner, family member or your own medical team
- notice how you feel after each conversation
If a provider answers calmly and clearly, that is a good sign. If answers feel vague, rushed or overly confident, it is fine to pause. Our article on red flags that a clinic may be overpromising explains what to look out for.
A reminder about what to expect
Stem cell therapy is not a cure for autism. It is a growing area of research, and any provider should be honest about that. You can read the evidence and its limits on our stem cell therapy for autism page.
Asking us these questions
We welcome every one of these questions. If you would like to talk them through with our medical team, you can send us an enquiry for a free first review. We will answer openly, share what we know and what we do not, and give you all the time you need.
Common questions
Yes. A careful provider will talk openly about all published research, including studies that found no significant difference.
References
- Dawson G, et al. Journal of Pediatrics, 2020. Randomized trial of cord blood infusion in 180 autistic children. View source
- Qu J, et al. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2022. Systematic review of five controlled studies including 325 children. View source
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every child is different. Please talk with your own medical team before making decisions about your child's care. Stem cell therapy for autism is a growing area of research and is not a cure.
