Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL HomeOxygen Therapy Benefits Children With Autism

Oxygen Therapy Benefits Children With Autism

By Beth Hillyer

HONOLULU (KHNL) - A new treatment is giving hope to parents of children diagnosed with autism. We meet with a family whose child's development is improving thanks to the benefits of oxygen therapy.

Some are talking for the first time, and interacting with their families. There is new hope for autistic children treated with oxygen therapy in pressurized chambers.

The 7-year-old child crawls into her play cave, nicknamed her blue tunnel. A therapist stays with her.

A new study proves spending time in capsules at the Hyperbaric Medical Center helps autistic children.

Study Coordinator Helen McCracken explains, "There are high incidents of autism in children 1 in 150 and we just can't ignore it and we felt here at the center it was important to do the study."

Alyshia Busby's daughter completed the study, "We saw some amazing results from the first round of treatment. We have been through the gamut of treatment from biomedical to dietary, conventional, unconventional, we have done it all and this was the first time we have actually seen immediate undeniable results."

McCracken demonstrates how it works, "These children are in this chamber pressurized down to about 18 feet of seawater and they wear a mask. It gives them 100 percent oxygen and at this level are the healing properties of hyperbaric therapy."

For the Busby's the results are amazing, "Everything from spontaneous language to attention and focus increase."

The families completed 20 hours of therapy, now most are continuing successful sessions in the blue tunnel.