BACKGROUND: This year, more than 24,000 children will be diagnosed with autism. Autism is a complex neurological disorder and is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders called autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). About one in 150 children is diagnosed with an ASD and in boys that number jumps to one in 90. Scientists don't know what causes autism, but it's believed that both environment and genetic factors play a role. Autistic children tend to have less sensitivity to pain, but a heightened sensitivity to sound, touch and other sensory stimulation. Children diagnosed with autism appear to have a higher-than-normal risk of specific medical conditions, including fragile X syndrome, which causes mental retardation, learning disabilities, epileptic seizures, tourette syndrome and tuberous sclerosis (in which tumors develop on the brain).

TREATING AUTISM: Currently, there is no cure for autism. Treatments can lessen the deficits associated with autism, but there is no one treatment that is proven to work for everyone with an ASD. Behavior therapy is a common treatment that many children with autism respond to. Applied behavior analysis, which utilizes the behaviorist principals of stimulus, response and reward while teaching one-on-one tasks, is a common approach to behavior therapy. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and social therapy are also commonly used. Medications are often given to treat symptoms associated with ASDs; the most common being antidepressants, stimulants and antipsychotics. A gluten-free, casein-free diet has been haled a major successful intervention for the treatment of ASDs. The theory behind this special diet is that gluten and casein are hard for people with autism to digest, leaving the substances to build up in their body, creating an opiate effect and acting as a behavior-altering drug in their systems.

HOBT: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is the breathing of oxygen at levels greater than which is found in room air, in an environment with increased pressure. HBOT is best known for its treatment of SCUBA divers who suffer from decompression sickness called the Bends, but is now gaining momentum as a viable treatment option for children with ASDs. Several studies suggest increasing oxygen levels in children with autism not only helps brain functioning, but also reduces overall inflammation in the body. Aside from autism, there are many medical conditions that may benefit from the use of HBOT including arthritis, cancer, migraines, diabetes and sports injuries. There are a few risks associated with HBOT that should be taken into consideration. These include pain in the ears or sinuses, oxygen toxicity, risk of fire and worsening of near-sightedness. Patients who are receiving HBOT are advised to refrain from smoking for the entire duration of treatment. Because the effects are not yet known, pregnant women should not receive HBOT.