Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used successfully in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders. Hyperbaric chambers have helped the symptoms associated with autism including improving digestion, increasing energy levels (improving mitochondrial disfunction), improved social engagement and language ability, reducing symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), better cognition and learning ability, reducing inflammation, assisting detoxification, killing bugs in chronic infections such as Lyme, and more.
Dr. Anju Usman Singh, suggests using soft sided chambers for children with autism versus hard sided chambers due to the lower atmospheric pressure like that of sea level. It is important to start slowly and work your way up gradually even in a soft sided chamber. The hard sided chambers have a higher pressure such as below sea level, but they do get more oxygen into the plasma. Some kids have difficulty with pressure in their ears in the hard sided too. If using a hard sided chamber it is recommended to go to a doctor for this therapy.
Soft sided chambers can be rented or purchased to use at home. A child can take an ipad or a game inside of the soft chamber and mom or dad can go in with them to make it comfortable or even fun. Generally, it is helpful to do this about 5 hours per week for a total of 40-60 hours a month. Gauge your child’s response and see if they positively respond to the treatments. Within 20 hours you should be able to tell by symptom improvements. The maintenance usage for those who are positive responders is use for about 3 weeks on, then taking a break of about 3 weeks off, etc.
Also watch for symptom flare-ups. Certain infections such as PANS/PANDAS, or strep, and candida can worsen from hyperbaric oxygen therapy since these particular bugs like oxygen. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also not recommended for anyone with asthma or COPD.
Prior To Use
Prior to using hyperbaric oxygen therapy it is recommended to strengthen the system through proper diet and detoxification beforehand. Toxin binders are also very helpful. It is important to wait until infections are not “active” or flaring up. The use of support supplements for mitochondria, candida, and herbals, especially with strep, are vital.
To Learn How to Support Detoxification and Strengthen
Resources for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Please listen to my radio show interview with hyperbaric oxygen expert, Dr. Anju Usman Singh. It’s show #48.
To find trained practitioners in hyperbaric oxygen therapy go to, The International Hyperbaric Association.
Hyperbaric treatment for children with autism: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Read the study.
Biography: Anju Usman Singh, MD, FAAFP, ABIHM, FMAPs, Hom-C
Dr. Anju Usman Singh is director and owner of True Health Medical Center and Pure Compounding Pharmacy in Naperville, Illinois. She specializes in biomedical interventions for children with ADD, Autism, PANDAS/PANS, Down Syndrome and related disorders. She has been involved in research regarding copper/zinc imbalances, metallothionein dysfunction, biofilm related infections and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. She serves on the medical advisory boards for TACA (The Autism Community in Action) and Autism Hope Alliance, as well as serving on faculty for MAPs (Medical Academy for Pediatric Special Needs). Dr. Usman Singh received her medical degree from Indiana University and completed a residency in Family Practice at Cook County Hospital, in Chicago, Illinois. She is board certified in Family Practice and Integrative and Holistic Medicine (ABIHM). Her website is, TrueHealthMedical.com.
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