Autism in Children + HBOT

The focus of this therapy is calming neuroinflammation, enhancing oxygenation, supporting brain and gut function for improving behavior and sleep.

Approximately 1.8% of children in the US have a diagnosis of autism, a rate that has more than doubled over the past two decades. In 2021, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 44 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Nearly 1 in 27 boys and 1 in 116 girls are diagnosed with autism. People of all races and socioeconomic groups are impacted by the disorder. Due to that increase, more and more parents have turned to alternative forms of treatments to counteract the underlying symptoms of autism.

Traditional medicines and treatments have often failed at producing desired results for many patients with autism and their families. However, studies have demonstrated hyperbaric therapy as an emerging treatment that parents and physicians are utilizing to help ameliorate the effects of ASD.

This non-invasive treatment is as simple as a one-hour daily session, where the parent and child enter a hyperbaric chamber and receive increased levels of oxygen. Hyperbaric therapy has been shown to decrease inflammation and improve cognitive functions, which have substantially helped thousands of ASD patients.

Targeted Outcomes

  • Improved eye contact, speech, and cognitive focus

  • Better sleep and mood regulation

  • Reduced hyperactivity and sensory overload

  • Decreased GI issues (through gut-brain support)

  • Increased social engagement

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ALL THE DETAILS

    •  Autistic Children Improve From Only 10 HBOT Sessions Read More

       HBOT - A Safe and Potentiall Effective Treatment for Children with ASD Read More

       HBOT Helps to Improve Autism Symptoms Read More

       HBOT Shown to Help with Autism Read More

    CLICK HERE FOR Full List of HBOT Studies

  • Pressure 1.3 – 1.5 ATA (low-pressure “mild” HBOT is most common in ASD)

    Session Length 45–60 minutes per session

  • PROTOCOL

    Frequency: 3–5 sessions per week

    Suggested Course: Usually 8–12 weeks per protocol round

    Total Sessions: 40 is typical (20 minimum to gauge response; some children do 60–80)

    Setting: Calm, parent-friendly environment; we allow child to bring comfort objects, watch calming videos, or listen to soft music. Parents are welcome to join their child in the Hyperbaric Chamber at no additional cost.

  • Red Light Therapy (RLT) before Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can be helpful because it primes the body’s cells and circulation, making them more receptive to the oxygen boost that comes in HBOT. Also it is used to calm neuroinflammation, support mitochondrial function, and reduce anxiety.

    RLT duration before HBOT: 10–15 minutes full body, or 5–10 minutes targeted.

    Frequency: 2–3x per week or combined with HBOT days

    Timing: Ideally right before the HBOT session so vasodilation and mitochondrial activation are at peak.

    Wavelengths:
    660 nm (red) for skin, gut-brain barrier
    850 nm (near-infrared) for deeper penetration into brain tissue

    Note:
    Avoid eye exposure—use eye shields

    Here’s why we use RLT before HBOT:

    1. Increases Blood Flow Before Oxygen Loading

    2. Stimulates Mitochondrial Energy Production

    3. Reduces Pre-existing Inflammation

    4. Enhances Nitric Oxide (NO) Release

    5. Prepares the Nervous System- Relaxing

  • Sample Weekly Schedule

    Monday
    Red light 10 min frontal cortex → 60 min HBOT

    Wednesday
    HBOT only 60 min

    Friday
    Red light 10 min frontal cortex → 60 min HBOT

    optional- add one more HBOT only session

  • HBOT

    • Active sinus/ear barotrauma

    • Untreated pneumothorax

    • Uncontrolled seizures

    RLT:

    • Photosensitive conditions (e.g., lupus, certain meds)

    • Pregnancy (NIR generally not recommended without MD clearance)

  • Sensory sensitivity: dim lighting, noise control, warm environment

    Routine importance: sessions at consistent times help compliance

    Parent involvement: allow parent to sit near or inside the chamber

    Behavioral tracking: keep a journal/log of behaviors, sleep, speech, etc.

    Contraindications: uncontrolled seizures, respiratory infections, claustrophobia (mild), photosensitive conditions

  • Pre-Session Recommendations

    1. Light, balanced meal 1–2 hours prior

    2. No alcohol or heavy caffeine same day

    3. Hydration encouraged

    4. Ear clearing check

    Do not use if you have any of the following:

    1. Uncontrolled seizure disorders

    2. Active upper respiratory infections or sinus congestion

    3. Uncontrolled hypertension

    4. Untreated pneumothorax

    5. Claustrophobia (without desensitization or sedation)

    Clients should start hyperbaric oxygen therapy with a protocol package for comprehensive initial treatment, then continue with a maintenance membership for ongoing support and benefits.

    Individual outcomes from the therapy may vary. Each person’s response to treatment depends on a variety of factors including their unique health condition and overall wellness. While our experienced staff is committed to providing personalized support and guidance throughout the therapy process, we do not guarantee the cure of any medical condition.

    Our goal is to assist clients in achieving relief from symptoms and to support overall healing and recovery. Clients should consult with their healthcare provider before beginning treatment and disclose any health concerns during their sessions.

    By participating in hyperbaric oxygen therapy at ELEVATE SONOMA, clients acknowledge understanding of these terms.

    1. Rossignol DA, Bradstreet JJ, Van Dyke K, et al. "Hyperbaric oxygen in autism spectrum disorders." Medical Gas Research. 2012;2(1):16. doi:10.1186/2045-9912-2-16. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22703610/

    2. Rossignol DA, Rossignol LW, Smith S, et al. "Hyperbaric for children with autism: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial." BMC Pediatrics. 2009;9:21. doi:10.1186/1471-2431-9-21.

      Link: https://bmcpediatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2431-9-21

    3. Xiong T, Chen H, Luo R, et al. "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016;10. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010922.pub2.

      Link: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010922.pub2/full

    4. Rossignol DA, Rossignol LW. "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may improve symptoms in autistic children." Medical Hypotheses. 2006;67(2):216-228. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2006.02.009.

      Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306987706001198

    5. Rossignol DA, Frye RE. "Evidence linking oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation in the brain of individuals with autism." Frontiers in Physiology. 2014;5:150. doi:10.3389/fphys.2014.00150.

      Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2014.00150/full

    6.  Autistic Children Improve From Only 10 HBOT Sessions Read More

    7. HBOT - A Safe and Potentially Effective Treatment for Children with ASD Read More

    8. HBOT Helps to Improve Autism Symptoms Read More

    9. HBOT Shown to Help with Autism Read More

    CLICK HERE FOR Full List of HBOT Studies

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