Autism
WHAT IS AUTISM?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social communication, interaction, and behavior in as many as 1 out of 150 individuals in the United States.
The exact cause of autism is still unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
At one time, ASD was thought to be psychological, now we know that ASD is a neurological and psysiologic condition affecting the brain, belly, muscle tone, balance etc.
Three rigorously performed epidemiological studies demonstrate that the prevalence of autism has increased in recent years. These facts might explain why parents of children with autism are more likely to seek alternative and off-label medical therapies than parents of children in the general population.
Medical Science's Current Understanding of Autism
ASD is a complex condition that affects each person differently. However, some common symptoms include:
Difficulty with social communication
Repetitive behaviors
Sensory sensitivities I
Intellectual or developmental disabilities, while others may have exceptional skills in specific areas such as music, math, or art.
Research on autism has advanced significantly in recent years, but there is still much to learn about the condition.
Some studies suggest that changes in brain development and function may contribute to autism, and there is evidence of immune system dysfunction in some individuals. Other studies document oxidative stress and inflammation in individuals with autism; both of these conditions have demonstrated improvement with HBOT, along with enhancement of neurological function and cognitive performance.
The following symptoms have been thought to contribute to Autism:
Cerebral hypoperfusion
Inflammation
Immune dysregulation
Oxidative stress
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Current Treatment Options for Autism
While there is no cure for autism, early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes for individuals with the condition.
Treatments for autism involve a multidisciplinary approach, including behavioral therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) as a Treatment Option for Autism
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which increases the oxygen concentration in the body's tissues. This therapy has been used for many years to treat various medical conditions. In a closed pressure environment, the 100% medical grade oxygen is dissolved into the blood plasma and gets distributed to areas of the body that have never been exposed to this level of oxygen as a nutrient.
In recent years, HBOT has emerged as a very effective treatment option for individuals with ASD. The theory behind using HBOT for autism is that it can help reduce inflammation in the brain and improve oxygen delivery to damaged areas. The oxygen also helps to heal the 'leaky gut’ that most autistic children experience, from our perspective.
Studies have demonstrated that HBOT can improve behavioral symptoms, language, and cognitive abilities…anecdotal evidence confirms that.
Iconic Health, through our experienced technologists, have been treating patients with Autism for over 20 years!
Our Chief Technologist, Hope Fine, comments “After a series of HBO, I’ve witnessed children start to speak for the first time, their eye contact improves, socialization with other children, class participation, behavior and sleep patterns all improve.”
Parents come to us concerned about their child’s development. Despite visits to specialists and therapists, parents report their child still struggles with communication and socialization. One young person had frequent tantrums and struggled to focus on anything for more than a few minutes at a time. Finally, the family hears about HBOT as a treatment option for autism.
After 40 HBOT sessions, significant changes in behavior are noticed. The child becomes more social and seems more aware of his surroundings. It is communicated to us that they use more words and even start using more fluent sentences. Tantrums have been reduced in frequency and intensity, and the child appears to be more relaxed.
One parent noted their child began to initiate conversations and interact more with other children, seeming more confident and happy.
In some cases, there is a transformation.
Case Studies on HBOT's Effectiveness in Treating Autism
Several case studies and small trials have shown promising results for HBOT as a treatment for autism. For example, in a study published in BMC Pediatrics, 18 children with ASD received HBOT treatments for eight weeks. The results showed significant improvements in language, behavior, and social interaction compared to a control group. The study can be viewed here: https://bmcpediatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2431-7-36
Another study published in the Journal of Hyperbaric Medicine followed 30 children with ASD who received 40 sessions of HBOT. The results showed significant improvements in cognitive function, behavior, and overall symptom severity.
There have also been several prominent cases where children with ASD have shown significant improvements after receiving HBOT. In 2009, CBS News reported on the story of a boy named Kyle who received HBOT treatments and showed significant improvements in his behavior, language, and social interaction.
In Conclusion
While more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of HBOT as a treatment for autism, the existing clinical evidence demonstrates that it is a promising therapeutic option. Over and over again, we have these stories coming in from all over the United States.
We hear of parents, teachers and family members of young patients expressing hope and optimism after seeing changes in their childrens behaviors. Teenage patients report improvements in self-help skills and the ability to learn new skills.
It is important, however, to note that HBOT is not a cure for autism and should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes behavioral and other therapies.
If you are considering HBOT for yourself or your child with ASD, Iconic Health is offering a free 15 minute consultation to share anecdotal treatment information regarding prior response rates and family member feedback for previous patients. We are here to Hope and Help, and only wish to deliver true victories for our patients. Give us a call today at 954-571-9392.
Q & A
Can I go in the chamber with my child during the session?
Yes, you just have to be registered as a patient and medically screened properly prior to entering into the chamber. Although children are nervous at first, once they get comfortable in the 1st and 2nd session, we have found they actually enjoy the experience. Our chambers are the largest they make in the world for a single user, and have a built in entertainment system (wired for sound). We have all the streaming services, so children enjoy watching Bluey, Peppa Pig or their favorite YouTube channels. Many children only require your presence initially, after a few sessions they are jumping around having fun or docile while captivated by their favorite show.
Can I bring my phone or my child’s tabby in the chamber to occupy the time?
No, for our patients safety, no electronics are allowed in the chamber during a session. We do allow a sippy cup, and swallowing helps equalize from the pressure.
What if my child has to use the restroom during a session?
We provide a plastic urinal to keep in the chamber during your session, this way we avoid ascending to surface pressure and losing time out of the session.
Is there accommodations for me during my child’s session?
Yes, we have a private suite with recliners and a flat screen with all the streaming services. During their child’s session, most parents either run errands or go to the gym, or sit and relax in our private suite while getting work done using our free WIFI.
How many sessions is he going to need, when will I begin to notice a change?
Most protocols for autism begin with 40 treatments. Some parents start with 20, then reassess. The oxygen is most effective when the administration is ‘consistent and persistent’, so most patients do 1 session per day, 5x per week. Parents have reported seeing subtle changes in their children after a dozen sessions, but individuals differ in response expression, and rate of response.