HBOT Treatment for Autism

Autism is a complex neurological disorder that typically occurs within the first three years of child life that results in usually severe developmental disability. Its incidence in the population is estimated to be 1 in 500 with a prevalence of 75% boys to 25% girls. The ensuing effects of the disease result in severe impairment in areas of social interaction and communication and in some individual’s self-injurious behaviour may occur. Each child with autism spectrum disorder is likely to have a unique pattern of behavior and level of severity — from low functioning to high functioning. Some children with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty learning, and some have signs of lower than normal intelligence. Other children with the disorder have normal to high intelligence — they learn quickly, yet have trouble communicating and applying what they know in everyday life and adjusting to social situations. Because of the unique mixture of symptoms in each child, severity can sometimes be difficult to determine. It's generally based on the level of impairments and how they impact the ability to function.L The cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not exactly known. Most recent evidence suggests some combination of mitochondrial dysfunction, dysregulation of the immune system, inflammation, oxidative stress and inability to detoxify chemicals and contaminants in our environment are mechanisms at work in Autism. Some research supports the theory that the metabolic dysfunction in the autistic brain renders it starved for oxygen. Brain cells with low oxygen do not function optimally. Autism spectrum disorder has no single known cause. Given the complexity of the disorder, and the fact that symptoms and severity vary, there are probably many causes. Both genetics and environment may play a role.

Benefits of HBOT :

HBOT significantly increases oxygen in brain tissue so

• Cells absorb needed oxygen, inflammation is reduced and poorly functioning brain cells function better.
• HBOT improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to all tissues of the body promoting new tissue growth and more normal cell metabolism. This may be particularly helpful in promoting brain development and improving immune response in the child with ASD.

A controlled study using HBOT in children 2-7 years of age diagnosed with ASD demonstrated significant improvements in:

• Overall functioning.
• Receptive language.
• Social interaction.
• Eye contact.
• Sensory/cognitive awareness.

Recently hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has shown to be of possible benefit in the treatment of this disease. Initial results of the HBOT treatments were objective improvements in a variety of diverse phenomena. Each child demonstrated global reduction in aggressive behaviour. All children were reported to be easier to engage when the parent wished to initiate communication with marked improvement of direct eye contact. All children were improved with regard to understanding verbal commands. Reasoning abilities were noticeably enhanced in all individuals. Clinical improvement was substantiated by pre and post treatment SPECT Scan Brain Imaging which displayed enhanced neurophysiologic function.