Autism Soccer: Oxytocin and Autism: The Benefits of this Treatment

Oxytocin, often called the "love hormone", has shown some benefits in a subset of people with autism.

In the understanding of ASD, many misconceptions and conditions have been clarified just recently. For example, it was just in 2013 that Autism became a part of a subcategory of conditions that include Asperger’s and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). This means that not only we’re far from knowing it all, but we're also just starting. Around this discoveries, there’s a recent study that says oxytocin could be an alternative way to help young children with autism.

Oxytocin is commonly known for being produced in the organism during childbirth (both during and after). However, the called “love hormone” also plays a role in social bonding. So the question now must be: what role it plays in helping children with autism? As a naturally occurring hormone, oxytocin can help them to create bonds and communicate with others.

According to a research in Molecular Psychiatry, a five-week treatment with nasal oxytocin spray can improve emotional, social and behavioral difficulties children with autism have in their early growth. Nonetheless, the results have inconsistencies when compared to long term studies. The long-term use of this hormone has shown to be detrimental to children, as it decreases the brain’s natural production of oxytocin. Also, another research has shown that oxytocin levels are not lower on people with autism, compared to non-autistic.

The next step for researchers is to understand the true effects of oxytocin and how it improves social behavior on the brain circuitry. This study might lead them to understand to what extent autistic children respond to oxytocin and the possible development of oxytocin-based medicines, not for individuals cases but a major spectrum.

It’s important to keep track of all the alternatives, such as this one, as they could lead to a better understanding of autism and how the autistic people's brains function. But remember to be wise and cautious about treatments, and never decide before consulting a specialist. Feel like your children could use some extra help? Then Autism Soccer could be the initiative that’ll change their life. Access their website and see it yourself!