Autism Spectrum Disorder is one of the most common developmental disabilities. Based on recent studies by Canadian researchers, the prevalence rate of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is 1 in 165. In Ontario, there is an estimated 70,000 individuals with ASD.

Autism is arguably the most severely damaging developmental brain syndrome today. Studies have suggested that a common link among children with autism is chronic inflammation of areas of the brain and gut. The anti-inflammatory effects of HBOT may make it one of the safest and most effective ways to help resolve the debilitating effects of autism. Hyperbaric oxygen has a multilevel effect on the central nervous system: it reduces swelling of the inflamed tissues; it repairs the blood-brain barrier and stabilizes cell membranes. It also increases the ability of white blood cells to stabilize damaged areas. Perhaps most importantly, hyperbaric oxygen therapy creates new blood vessels in areas where they are needed. This is a process called angiogenesis and is vitally important to the resolution of the neurological symptoms manifested in children with autism. After hyperbaric oxygen therapy, patients with autism will show measurable clinical improvements in the area of stereotyped autistic behavior.

Before & After 50 HBO treatments

The above scan (from Rapid Recovery Hyperbarics) show the SPECT scans of a 17-year-old autistic individual before HBOT and after 50 sessions. The improvement in blood supply continued to be evident one year after HBOT.

The above graph was taken from a study which evaluated the effects of 20 hours of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the functional outcomes of twenty children (4 females and 16 males) ranging in ages from three to seven years, each with a clinically proven diagnosis of autism. 100% (20) of the children involved in the above study exhibited statistically significant measurable improvements in one or more of the ADOS scoring areas noted above and/or their Global Assessment of Functioning scale. The testing clinicians noted again and again that these areas of improved symptoms all represent important day-to-day, quality of life changes including: (1) better ability to cope with and participate in classroom settings, (2) better control of, or even in some cases, a complete cessation of tantrums, (3) less sensory challenges which resulted in, for example, a willingness to eat a wider variety of foods, less sensitivity to unexpected noises, (4) greater ability to focus (for example, one of the children sat through an entire school assembly for the very first time after treatment), (5) more interest in being cuddled, and in comforting others, (6) improvements in sleep habits, (7) accelerated learning and retainment of skills, and (8) improved levels of anxiety overall. This study can be found at www.hbocsm.com.