ASD and HBOT
- shiradafner59
- May 8
- 2 min read

My daughter is 13 years old, and for as long as I can remember, she’s faced challenges that set her apart from her peers. She struggled to follow instructions, was developmentally behind for her age, and often found it difficult to understand social cues. School was a constant uphill battle—she needed extra help and support just to keep up, and making friends was especially hard. Social settings overwhelmed her, and she was easily triggered by her environment. Emotionally, she seemed locked in her own world and rarely expressed how she was feeling.
As her mother, it was heartbreaking to watch her go through this. We tried various therapies and approaches, hoping to see some improvement, but nothing made a lasting difference. It was during one of our deep dives into alternative options that we came across Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). The science behind it was compelling—HBOT has been shown to support neuroplasticity, enhance blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, and improve white matter structure.
Research suggests that many individuals with autism experience increased inflammation, immune system irregularities, reduced or inconsistent blood flow, and low oxygen levels in the brain. HBOT aims to address these issues by delivering high concentrations of oxygen at increased pressure, which helps oxygen reach areas that may have been deprived. This process can reduce inflammation, support healthy blood vessel growth, and promote normal brain function.
We decided to give it a try, and my daughter completed 40 HBOT sessions. The changes we began to see afterward were truly remarkable. She became more aware of her surroundings, less easily overwhelmed, and much better at managing her frustrations. Academically, she started keeping up with her studies and even completed her exams. But the most heartwarming progress? She now has two friends she genuinely connects with—something we never thought possible before.
It’s been a journey, but seeing her thrive has been the most rewarding part of it all.
Thankful Mum
Manchester
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