Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used successfully in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders. Hyperbaric chambers have helped the symptoms associated with autism including improving digestion, increasing energy levels (improving mitochondrial disfunction), improved social engagement and language ability, reducing symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), better cognition and learning ability, reducing inflammation, assisting detoxification, killing bugs in chronic infections such as Lyme, and more.

Dr. Anju Usman Singh, suggests using soft sided chambers for children with autism versus hard sided chambers due to the lower atmospheric pressure like that of sea level. It is important to start slowly and work your way up gradually even in a soft sided chamber. The hard sided chambers have a higher pressure such as below sea level, but they do get more oxygen into the plasma. Some kids have difficulty with pressure in their ears in the hard sided too. If using a hard sided chamber it is recommended to go to a doctor for this therapy.

Soft sided chambers can be rented or purchased to use at home. A child can take an ipad or a game inside of the soft chamber and mom or dad can go in with them to make it comfortable or even fun. Generally, it is helpful to do this about 5 hours per week for a total of 40-60 hours a month. Gauge your child’s response and see if they positively respond to the treatments. Within 20 hours you should be able to tell by symptom improvements. The maintenance usage for those who are positive responders is use for about 3 weeks on, then taking a break of about 3 weeks off, etc.

Also watch for symptom flare-ups. Certain infections such as PANS/PANDAS, or strep, and candida can worsen from hyperbaric oxygen therapy since these particular bugs like oxygen. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also not recommended for anyone with asthma or COPD.

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