Hyperbaric Chambers and Autism

There is quite a deal of attention about autism lately. Researchers are gathering more information for a variety of treatments. Not all treatment works on all individuals, so having some choices is quite a positive situation.Some treatments, such as chelation, are not without critics, though many doctors, medical professionals and parents feel that this therapy has immensely helped their children who have autism.

Another treatment for autism that has been on the horizon for a while is the hyperbaric chamber. This is treatment involving an oxygen chamber where an individual receives pure oxygen or more oxygen than normally breathed. Because it is provided in a chamber, the pressure is higher than when outside in a normal setting. The effect is that a higher amount of oxygen is absorbed into the body helping organs, blood vessels and the body function better.

The hyperbaric chamber has been used in individuals who had a stroke – reversing some of the symptoms. It has also been used for people who were brought in after an accident or other issue left them partially paralyzed. If used quickly enough, some patients are reported to have been able to walk out of the doctor’s office after the first treatment, which can last from a few minutes to a few hours.

A number of parents and doctors of children with autism have used the hyperbaric chamber with success. On couple reports that their three year old son did not interact at all. They heard about the hyperbaric chamber and a doctor who uses the chamber in treating children with autism. They have taken their son for treatment and the results, according to the father, “are no less than stunning.” So stunning, in fact, that the family has purchased their own home model of hyperbaric chamber. Their son used to have treatments in the chamber two or three times per day. Because of the rate of improvement, now it is only used occasionally.

Though there are critics to this treatment, families say their children are healthy again and interacting normally. Doctors who use the chamber say that in addition to other things, the chamber helps brain functioning, which, of course, helps autism. One doctor says that he has helped hundreds of children with autism and plans to publish the results involving the hyperbaric chamber soon.

For skeptics, the three year old’s father says, “If you doubt the results, I can tell you I have my son back now. I have a son who kisses me.”