Safeguarding Briefing - May 2024
Who is this for?
This is briefing is for communities, schools, and families to alert and warn you about a medical procedure claiming to provide a cure for autism.
What is the concern?
A doctor from Bangladesh has run sessions in London for parents with children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These sessions wrongly claimed they can cure ASD with a new treatment. The treatment they are offering is an injection of a type of blood cells, called stem cells. This experimental treatment for Autism is unlicensed in UK, USA and other countries.
We have spoken to NHS colleagues including paediatricians and they strongly advise that families should NOT take up this treatment. There are real risks this could be harmful for children with ASD and there is no clear evidence that it will help them.
The doctor seems to be targeting Bangladeshi and other Asian families. The doctor is asking for £100 for an appointment, £8000 for the treatment and £350 for vitamins. He sometimes asks for this in American dollars.
This is both a medical and financial scam. We recommend that you DO NOT pay for, or agree to, this happening to your child.
Who can I talk to?
- Your social worker or early help worker
- Your GP or Paediatrician or NHS 111
- Your School
- The police on 101 or online at www.police.uk;
Useful Links for support:
National Autistic Society (autism.org.uk)
Where to get autism support - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Autism Education & Resources | Autism Speaks
Stronger Families Hub
