Parents are being warned about a potential threat to children with autism after reports of an individual from overseas claiming to be a doctor promoting a “miracle cure” for the condition.
There is no known cure for autism and the NHS guidance states products and services claiming to be cures are fake and can be harmful.
Councils in at least three areas of England have issued urgent warnings to schools over adverts promoting an unlicensed procedure involving the removal of bone marrow and injection into the child’s “brain matter” as a “cure” for autism.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating the reports but no arrests have yet been made.
Newham Council in east London issued several notices warning parents about the misinformation and encouraging them to report the adverts.
In one notice published on its family services website, the council said: “Please be aware that there is no known cure to autism currently and this dangerous claim could pose very serious problems for vulnerable children while also creating financial problems for parents/carers.”
Alerts about the adverts, which were designed to target the Bangladeshi community, have also been circulated across Nottinghamshire, LBC News reported.
It said the notice issued by the council to schools stated: “Concerns have been reported to the London Borough of Newham about a doctor arriving from Bangladesh to facilitate a webinar/intervention in London for autistic children.”
It is understood the procedure advertised involves “the possible extraction and transfer of bone marrow/spinal fluid to a child’s brain matter by injection,” the Nottingham Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) said in an urgent notice circulated to schools and seen by LBC News.
Greenwich Council confirmed to the BBC it issued a warning to schools and nurseries in the borough after it was made aware of the matter.
There are concerns the individual behind the adverts may have held an event – either in London or online – on 22 March.
The Met, which is working closely with local authority and NHS partners, said it is “investigating the circumstances of a reported fraud relating to the provision of medical services”.
The force’s enquiries are ongoing to establish the identity of the person(s) behind these adverts and to confirm where they are based.
“There is no evidence to suggest that the person(s) behind these adverts has treated anybody in the UK,” the Met said.
Individuals impacted by the adverts are being advised to contact their local authority’s multi-agency safeguarding hub.
Dr Max Davie, a consultant community paediatrician, told i it was common for false autism claims to circulate from time to time.
He said it would likely be a very small number of people who will actually engage with something as directly harmful as the dangerous procedure being advertised. But he said the response from councils was entirely appropriate.
“People might get stuff off the internet that they think will be helpful – vitamin supplements, all sorts of things – but this is very different. This is a very risky, major procedure that’s being done on no evidence basis whatsoever,” Dr Davie said.
He advised concerned parents to always talk to a UK accredited health professional such as a paediatrician, GP or school nurse.
Dr Davie said: “Someone who is a registered health professional needs to investigate these claims. If you are talking to somebody either in the UK or abroad who claims to have expertise, ask for their accreditation and check in with somebody who is a health professional whether that accreditation is valid in the UK.”
He also encouraged parents to consult the National Autistic Society website for useful information. “Do not take medical advice from someone who does not have accreditation appropriate for the UK,” he added.