Cell-El is soaring forward with the development of an objective diagnostic tool for ASD. The tool will enable early detection of ASD with greater certainty and ease than methods currently used. One mother shared with us her frustrating experience with the uncertainty produced by the current means of diagnosis.
To be a Mother
It is so challenging to be a mother.
You are entrusted to care for the most sublime treasure in nature, with an enlightened soul that will also become part of a person who will grow like all human beings.
You are reading about allowed and prohibited foods during pregnancy.
You are researching the market for the best stroller for your baby.
You are excited about the first tooth, your heart soars to the sky when your baby recognizes you and looks into your eyes and smiles.
With each step and each milestone you feel supreme happiness.
And then our second son was born.
Beautiful baby, captivating, eyes shining like the sun.
We were sure that with him too we will experience the great happiness.
A few days go by and you, the mother, feel that something is not right.
People around you think that you are just an exhausted mother after birth and explain to you with a smile that “all babies are different”.
But he doesn’t stop crying.
And you are crying together with him, wanting so much to know how to help him.
The pediatrician already recognizes you and listens with great interest to your concerns…
At the age of 8 months he is already under supervision in the Child Development Center.
Every professional sees him as a charming child, and he is too borderline for definite diagnosis.
So you wait,
and wait,
and wait.
And he is not a baby anymore.
You continue to treat him with great sensitivity, you already know without any diagnosis that he is not like all other children.
And yet, the professionals are very careful and indecisive.
From time to time the phrase “communication disorders” is thrown, but only as a general comment. This is not our case, right?!
A million times I thought, if only there was a blood test that could resolve this uncertainty. If only we could know sooner and provide the essential therapy earlier.
We could help you much more, my treasure, and spare many tears.
I hope for a breakthrough in 2024. And until then and forever, I will continue to care for you and love you endlessly.
Your mother
Help Us Help You
You too can join our team and help us in making a difference in the lives of children with ASD and their families! For the Cell-El study, we are recruiting infants aged 10-18 months not diagnosed with ASD but with a sibling diagnosed with ASD and their mothers. Parents please help spread the word to others and thus enable this important tool to be integrated into Autism treatment as quickly as possible. We want to hear from you about your concerns and challenges relating to ASD testing and related therapies. To contact us and learn more – please click here