Using Oxytocin as a Therapy For Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disorder with many symptoms ranging from a lack of social skills and communication torepetitive actions and behaviors. The disorder is characterized by a large spectrum, making it difficult to diagnose, due to thewide variety of symptoms it can portray in affected people. ASD poses a challenge on a worldwide scale due to lack ofinformation regarding causes or curative treatment. Though there are no acknowledged cures, there are many types oftherapies for children with ASD - all aimed at improving their symptoms (“Autism spectrum disorder”, 2022). One possibletreatment option that is being researched is ‘Oxytocin Therapy’. Oxytocin therapy utilizes oxytocin -a hormone/chemicalmessenger that promotes qualities of recognition, trust, and bonding which leads to its positive enforcement of socialinteractions in people (DeAngelis, 2008). These qualities are what led to the development of a hypothesis that this hormonecould be administered in a therapeutic form to improve the social functioning in those diagnosed with ASD (Ford, n.d.). Thisneuropeptide is administered intranasally and has been researched mostly in young children and teenagers. The results fromthese studies prove to be controversial as they display both positive as well as negative findings. Hence, further researchneeds to be conducted on oxytocin therapy before a comprehensible conclusion can be made on its outcome.