Hyperbaric Chambers

I have "heard" that these can do amazing things for kids with Autism - the problem is since it is so new they don't know how many treatments the child needs to make the changes and how long the effects last. The side effects aren't always known either. I think it something I would strongly consider and really do my research on!

Do hyperbaric chambers help autistic kids?

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyi...

Hi S.,

I have two children with Autism, and I have never heard of this treatment. Did a psychiatrist, developmental pediatrican, or a nerologist suggest this?

I would warn you of all the "treaments" out there, there are so many that offer "alternative" treatments, but sadly, they also offer false hope, and take your precious resorcese too. Trust me, you will need every cent you have to cover the standard care, and everyone I know that has tried something outside the standard, eventually comes to realize that this is the best chance your child has to do well. Speech/Language therapy, ABA, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and treating the symptoms that you can with medications is standard care.

Find a really good school, and invest your energy into making sure that he always has the most approriate services while you verify that he makes progress with standard testing.

I don't mean to be a downer, but if this were really an effective treatment with clinical effects, it would be all over the news and would most certainly be big news in the autism community.

Read about placebo effects before you go forward and spend a lot of money on this, if you still want to try, don't abandon standard care, he does not have time to waste.

M.

S., I don't know much about it, but a lady at our gymnastics gym took her son (who is now 7)and she was just telling me that she thinks it changed his life. He is very high functioning now (still has Autism), but was not even talking until after age 3. He also does the ABA therapy and they feel that is very helpful. They get some scholarship to send him to a private preschool in Col. area. If you want more info on it, email me and I will try to get that information(or her number if she allows) for you. Best wishes. I'd say, if you can afford it, try all that your doctor recommends. You never know what might help your individual child. A.

Hi!
Have you looked into the Sensory Center on Westfiled Blvd. in Indy? I think it has a lot to offer.
Bleesings,
S.

No idea, I pressume you did metal detoxification, yeast, and all that?
I have not heard of that, try it! And good luck.

Hi,

I recently signed up with Biopro. They have great documentation on how their products have helped children with Autism and also with neurological disorders. I was mainly concerned with Electromagnetic pollution, but learned a whole lot more. Please check out my website mybiopro.com/claudia13. I live in Westlake, I have a B.S. in Holistic Nutrition and studying to be a Naturopath. I like to focus more on nutrition. Most doctors don't even talk about it. I would be interested in learning about your family's diet. If you would like to share that information with me, please email me at ____@____.com suject: autism nutrition. I don't by any means feel your nutrtion is the cause of autism. I feel it is caused by a multitude of things, as to why it is so complex. I am very interested in learning about autism.

My brother just went through treatment last summer. He is 20. I don't know a whole lot about it, but if you are interested, I will give you my mom's contact info and you can definitely chat with her about it. :)

i know nothing about this therapy but watched an interview the other day with jeeny mccarthy and was thrilled to hear of the success that she has had in curing her sons autism. it is something that i want to read more about bc made a lot of changes through diet. i just wanted to pass along this thought. here is a site that might be of assistance. http://talkaboutcuringautism.org/jenny/

many blessings as you journey. what an honor for your family.

Hello,

I have worked with several people who have Asperger's Syndrome (which is on the spectrum)and who have used this kind of therapy. It is really hard to know the exact results of the therapy. I suppose it works over time and so gradual positive changes may not be noticeable right away.

The basic way it works it that the person lays inside a pressurized chamber (greater than atmospheric pressure) and at the same time is delivered pure oxygen. I believe the idea behind this is that the body is supposed to be be able to absorb more oxygen and in turn possibly rebuild/repair cell damage to the brain.

I am not by any means an expert on this type of therapy, but I do think it would be worth trying. For some people, it is hard for them to get used to the pressure inside the chamber and therefore they have trouble with it. On the other hand, other people really like it. (I have heard it is slightly more intense then the pressure you might feel in an airplane). I don't know of any adverse risk for this therapy.

Since your son is young, it may be a little scary for him to get inside the chamber by himself. I would talk to his doctor to see what kinds of things might be available to help comfort him if this is necessary. Usually you can take things in the chamber (may be a favorite toy, portable dvd player, music, etc).

Whatever you decide, please know that you know your child better than anyone. Use your parental instincts. As we get to know more and more about autism, there are more resources becoming available. Be hopeful and know the best therapy of all is your love!

I am not familiar with that term. What exactly is it? I had read several years ago, and then my husband heard it just recently that autism in the US is cased from certain concentrated immunizations. The US has a great many cases more than other countries. I read of one case of a girl being cured when her hearing was tested and through an auditory machine her hearing was evened out and became normal. But her mother had to take her to Switzerland or Germany to do it. It's an article in the Reader's Digest in 1990, October, I think. A librarian can find it for you. But just recently here in the US, they are doing better about curing it.

S.,
HBOT is used in treatment for many illnesses...I suppose Autism is just the 'hot topic' since there are so many unanswered questions. Depending on your son's abilities (were he is on the spectrum) and what you hope to gain from the therapy...base your decision on some of those factors. Will he be able to tolerate being inside the unit for 60 minutes or so? Some are quite 'roomy' and he would be able to read or draw laying down etc. It can be costly and not always covered by insurance - $100 - $285 per visit...usually 10 sessions. A home unit can cost $18-$25K. Personally, I would do it for my son (age 5) in a heart beat, if I could afford it. Depending on what your son would understand, there is a small 'ear-popping' sensation as the pressure changes, but it's very slight. I would say, do as much research online as you can.

Hi S.,
We are considering HBOT for Autism as well. Today we have an appointment with a doctor that specializes in Allergy Elimination (she is also a DAN) and are very excited to see what her take on thing will be. (We have been doing biomedical since October 07) We feel his allergies are the biggest issue right now and that once we get those under control HBOT would have a chance to do more for him. If you want to PM me I can let you know how our visit goes.
Good Luck!
L.

Dear S.,
Have you read Jenny McCarthys' book? I was really impressed by it. I have a nephew with autism and his mother and I went online and got Glucose free diet recipes. They sell many Glucose free products at the store to. I have never heard of the chamber because all of my nephews symptoms are treated with medications. Although he is also severly hyperactive, and has slight retardation the change is his diet has helped some. Sorry I don't have more info for you. God bless you and your family.