Stem Cell Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Dallas, TX
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Bill Johnson, MD — Founder & Medical Director
🏆 Named a “Top Stem Cell Therapy Treatments Company” by Life Sciences Review (2025 and 2026)
🧠 Clinical focus: stem cell therapy for autism spectrum disorder in patients 15 and older, using the patient’s own fat-derived cells or, in some cases, a parent’s donated cells.
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder & Chronic Neuroinflammation
Many families of teens and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have already tried behavioral therapies, medications and other support, and are looking for what else may help. At Innovations Stem Cell Center in Dallas, we offer stem cell therapy for autism patients ages 15 and older. Families travel to us from across the United States, including many from the East Coast.
Autism spectrum disorder involves differences in communication, social interaction, sensory processing and behavior. Its causes vary, but imaging and immune studies have pointed to two factors seen in many autistic people: ongoing inflammation in the brain (neuroinflammation) and reduced blood flow to some areas of the brain.
Microglia, the immune cells of the brain, can stay in an overactive, inflammatory state. Researchers think this ongoing stress may affect how nerve cells connect and communicate.
Our treatment uses mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are being studied for their ability to calm overactive immune responses and release growth factors such as BDNF and NGF. Autism care is part of our Neurologic Recovery Center.
How Stem Cell Therapy Works for Autism
Autism spectrum disorder involves complex neurological differences that affect communication, behavior and social interaction. The exact mechanisms are still being studied, but research suggests that inflammation and immune dysregulation may play a role.
Stem cell therapy may help by:
- Reducing neuroinflammation
- Modulating immune system function
- Supporting neural connectivity
- Releasing growth factors involved in healing
Some patients and families have reported improvements in eye contact, speech, social interaction and fewer repetitive behaviors after treatment. Results vary from person to person.
Who We Treat: Autism Patients Ages 15 and Older
We treat autism patients who are 15 or older. This applies whether treatment uses the patient’s own cells or a parent’s donated cells.
Why 15 and older?
Our procedure is done while the patient is awake. We use local numbing medicine only; we do not use general anesthesia or sedation, and we do not have a pediatric anesthesiologist on our team. Younger children often find it hard, and sometimes frightening, to stay calm and still for the fat collection and the IV. We don’t want to put a child through that, so we have set our minimum age at 15. We know this is hard news if your child is younger, and our team is always glad to talk it through with you.
How treatment works
In a single visit of about 3 to 4 hours, Dr. Johnson numbs a small area and collects about 3 tablespoons of fat through a mini-liposuction that takes about 10–15 minutes. We process the fat in our Dallas lab to separate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), which typically contains 100 million cells or even more (counts may vary), and give the cells back by IV infusion the same day.
When a parent’s cells may be used
In some cases, a parent’s donated cells may be used instead, for example when a patient has very little fat to collect. We then order bloodwork for the patient and both parents, and Dr. Johnson reviews the results to choose the donor parent. The donor parent has the same quick fat collection under local anesthesia. Dr. Johnson explains which option applies to you.
Comfort with the IV
The cells are given through an IV. The patient needs to be able to sit calmly while the IV is placed and during the infusion. Because we do not use sedation or restraint, treatment cannot go ahead if a patient cannot tolerate the IV. We talk this through with every family before treatment day.
What to Expect: Treatment Timeline
Before your visit:
- Complete bloodwork near home through LabCorp (we send the lab orders); if a parent’s cells will be used, both parents have bloodwork too
- Dr. Johnson reviews the results
- Schedule your treatment day
Treatment day (about 4 hours):
- Mini-liposuction under local anesthesia (about 10–15 minutes)
- Cell processing (about 2.5 hours)
- IV infusion
- Go home or back to your hotel the same day
After treatment:
- Any changes tend to show up over weeks to months
- Results develop over months, and repeat treatments may be needed
- Dr. Johnson will talk with you about whether and when another treatment makes sense
Repeat Treatments
Some autism patients have more than one treatment. Results develop over months, and repeat treatments may be needed. At follow-up, Dr. Johnson reviews how the patient is doing and talks with you about whether another treatment makes sense, and when. Ask about repeat-treatment options at your consultation.
Traveling to Dallas for Treatment
We welcome families from across the United States. Many of our autism patients travel from the East Coast and other regions seeking treatment options not available locally.
For out-of-town families, we include complimentary hotel accommodations with your treatment.
Our Dallas location is convenient to:
– DFW International Airport (20 minutes)
– Dallas Love Field (15 minutes)
Our patient care team can help coordinate your travel and schedule your consultation.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You or your family member may be a candidate for autism stem cell therapy if they:
- Are 15 or older
- Have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
- Are in good overall health
- Have no active infection or cancer
- Can sit calmly for an IV while awake
- Have realistic expectations about outcomes
If sensory challenges overlap with a history of concussion or post-traumatic stress, see our page on stem cell therapy for traumatic brain injury.
Cost of Stem Cell Therapy for Autism
$16,500 for the first treatment
Your fee includes:
- ✅ Consultation and bloodwork review
- ✅ Fat collection and cell processing (the patient’s own cells or, when used, a parent’s donated cells)
- ✅ IV stem cell treatment
- ✅ Follow-up care
- ✅ Complimentary hotel stay for out-of-town families
A follow-up treatment, if you and Dr. Johnson decide one is needed: $10,000. LabCorp lab work may be billed to your health insurance; the stem cell treatment itself is not covered by insurance.
Financing is available. Contact us directly and we’ll help you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there a minimum age?
A: Yes. Patients must be 15 or older, whether treatment uses their own cells or a parent’s donated cells.
Q: Why don’t you treat younger children?
A: The procedure is done while the patient is awake, with local anesthesia only. We do not use general anesthesia or sedation, and we do not have a pediatric anesthesiologist on our team. Younger children often find it very hard to stay calm and still for the fat collection and IV, so we have set our minimum age at 15.
Q: Whose cells are used?
A: Usually the patient’s own fat-derived cells. In some cases, a parent’s donated cells may be used instead. Dr. Johnson reviews bloodwork for the patient and both parents and explains which option applies.
Q: How many treatments will be needed?
A: It depends on the patient’s response and your goals. Results develop over months, and repeat treatments may be needed.
Q: What improvements might we see?
A: Some families have reported improvements in eye contact, speech and communication, social interaction, fewer repetitive behaviors, better sleep and less anxiety. Results vary.
Q: Is stem cell therapy a cure for autism?
A: No. We do not claim to cure autism. Stem cell therapy may help reduce some symptoms and improve quality of life for some patients. Results vary.
Q: Is stem cell therapy for autism FDA-approved?
A: No. Stem cell therapy for autism is not FDA-approved.
Q: Do you offer financing?
A: Yes. Financing is available. Contact us directly and we’ll help you apply.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you’re exploring stem cell therapy for autism for yourself or a family member 15 or older, we’re here to answer your questions and help you decide whether this approach may be right for you. Call (972) 893-9849 or schedule a consultation online.
Turnkey Travel Logistics for Out-of-State Families
Families travel to Dallas from across the United States for our autism protocol. To make your travel as comfortable as possible:
Complimentary hotel accommodations: We provide complimentary hotel stays at partner hotels near our Dallas clinic and DFW/Love Field airports. Review options on our Patient Travel Package & Hotel Perks page.
Pre-arrival coordination: We arrange the needed bloodwork through LabCorp facilities near your home before you travel.
