Autism Therapy:Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
When a child is is first diagnosed with autism, there is this feeling of panic. I have to fix him/her. Parents look for whatever autism therapy they can find. Magic pills. We all do it. We want to make our baby “normal”. There are so many people who claim that their child has been “cured” by this or that, it is hard to distinguish what might work. Do you dare try an autism therapy out of the ordinary?
I’ve heard about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for a while now. I’m sure you have as well. Mostly in use for divers who have the bends. A diver goes too deep and comes up too quickly. Nitrogen bubbles out of a diver’s blood, literally. A Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber is used to force the nitrogen back into the diver’s blood and prevent brain damage. Hmmm….
Well, if Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy forces nitrogen back into the bloodstream (and into the brain…), imagine what it could do for, say…a stroke victim? Or a child with a developmental disability, like autism? They actually started working with children who have autism. Therapists and academics figured out that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (or HBOT) increases the oxygen tissue, which increases the brain blood flow to an area. In turn, helps the body restore brain tissue metabolism of oxygen. HBOT also is known to reduce swelling and excess fluid build-up in certain areas of the brain which cause “confusion” in their function ability. Children with autism begin to communicate with the outside world. Some, for the first time.
It is not an overnight process. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy does take several treatments to be effective. And unfortunately, is quite costly. As are all other types of autism therapy. And none are covered by conventional insurance, yet. The remarkable thing I have seen (first hand) about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is: it works. Cure? No. However, HBOT can certainly help. And be of assistance to other developmental disabilities. Why it isn’t covered by insurance? I’ve yet to understand that one.
Tags: autismtherapy, autism information, autism education, hyperbaric oxygen therapy
We’ve seen first hand. Braeden’s speech improved dramatically after starting sessions. He’s still quite delayed and much of his speech is memorized phrases but it’s still something.
You are a leader in the Autism Community!! AND people are finally beginning to recognize it!!
Richard,
I am so glad to hear about Braeden’s success with HBOT!
It is such a remarkable tool and I wish that it was used with our kids and in more conventional medicines such as stroke patients, epilepsy, and other neurological issues.
I hope your Braeden continues to improve. THERE IS HOPE FOR OUR KIDS!
Sharon,
Thank you so much for your kind words. Wow!
I love our families. I have a calling and am blessed that you are in my corner.
Many blessings to you both…and to your families-
Deb
Would you know of any private facilities that offer HBOT for diagnosis of Autism in nyc??? I would like to get my daughter started with this therapy.
Aida
I have a 5 y/o Autistic boy with Sensory Integration Disorder, Severe Apraxia, Gastrointestinal & Feeding Issues. All I know is when he was born, I was told he was a healthy baby boy, apgars 9/9. 2 years later he was diagnosed. My son is somewhere inside of himself and I want to pull him out. I believe and have hope that Biomedical & HBOT Treatments are the answer. Please visit my site for information on how you can help bring this into reality.
http://justinsrecoverywish.blogspot.com/
Thank you
Aida,
Please forgive me for not responding until now. I have been on a hiatus of sorts for a while.
I actually live in the Mid-South, but I do know that there are PORTABLE HBOT chambers available, depending upon your income level. There is a place I found on line for you:
http://www.removestress.com/Hyperbaric_Oxygen_Therapy_HBOT_Midtown_Manhattan.html
I don’t know where in NYC you live, but I found this on Google. You are most fortunate to live in NY. I’m sure that you can find someone who does HBOT there. I only wish the traditional medical community would understand how helpful HBOT is for so many conditions!
Many blessings,
Deb