What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing up to 100% oxygen in a pressurised chamber. The aim is to boost the amount of oxygen in the body and brain, and to increase healing and reduce inflammation.

Who is hyperbaric oxygen therapy for?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used in hospitals for people with specific medical conditions, like certain kinds of poisoning or wounds that are taking a long time to heal.

Some people claim it can be used to change the characteristics of autism.

What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy used for?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to treat a small number of specific medical conditions.

People who support the use of this therapy for autism claim that it improves communication, social skills, eye contact, attention and behaviour in autistic people. There is very limited evidence to support this claim.

Where does hyperbaric oxygen therapy come from?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was first developed in 1662 using compressed air rather than oxygen. By 1877, hyperbaric chambers were being used to treat many conditions, despite a lack of scientific evidence about the effectiveness of the treatment.

In the 1930s, hyperbaric chambers using pressurised oxygen were introduced and are now widely recognised as a treatment for burns, wounds that aren’t healing, and decompression sickness (the bends).

What is the idea behind hyperbaric oxygen therapy for autistic children?

People who support the use of this therapy for autism believe that autism is associated with inflammation and a lack of oxygen in the brain. So the idea is that using a hyperbaric chamber to force large quantities of oxygen quickly into the body will reduce some of the characteristics of autism.

What does hyperbaric oxygen therapy involve?

This approach involves lying in a hyperbaric chamber, typically for 90 minutes per session. The number of sessions varies depending on the person’s ability to pay for them.

There are currently no standard therapeutic guidelines for this therapy.

Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy help autistic children?

A large-scale review found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy does not help with any characteristics of autism.

Also, hyperbaric oxygen therapy might have harmful side effects, including ear discomfort (barotrauma) or injury, claustrophobia, fatigue and headaches.

Where can you get hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is carried out at specialised clinics. You can also do it at home if you buy your own hyperbaric chamber.

Who can give you professional advice about hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

If you’re interested in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, see your GP or one of the other professionals working with your child. They can talk with you about its risks and benefits.

You could also talk about hyperbaric oxygen therapy with your NDIA planner, early childhood partner or local area coordinator, if you have one.

How are parents involved in hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

If your child is having hyperbaric oxygen therapy, your main involvement is taking your child to the treatment clinic.

How much does hyperbaric oxygen therapy cost?

Typically, this therapy costs $100-$200 per session, although prices vary. Some people buy hyperbaric chambers for use at home. They cost $4000-$8000 for a small chamber and up to $17 000 for a large one.

Therapies and supports for autistic children range from behavioural therapies and developmental approaches to medicines and alternative therapies. When you understand the main types of therapies and supports for autistic children, it’ll be easier to work out the approach that will best suit your child.