What is oxytocin?
Oxytocin is a hormone that helps to get labour and breastfeeding started. It might also help birthing mothers bond with their newborn babies. And it might help babies develop trust, attachment and social skills, like the ability to recognise emotions and empathise.
Who is oxytocin therapy for?
Oxytocin has been trialled with autistic people who have anxiety, repetitive behaviour or social challenges.
What is oxytocin therapy used for?
Oxytocin has been trialled as a way of managing autistic people’s anxiety symptoms and helping with their social interactions, including their ability to make eye contact and recognise emotions. It has also been trialled as a way of reducing repetitive behaviour and relieving gastrointestinal discomfort.
Where does oxytocin therapy come from?
Professor Eric Hollander and colleagues introduced oxytocin infusion as a therapy for autistic people in 1983. These researchers drew on findings from animal studies that showed that oxytocin is linked to animals grooming themselves too much, as well as to repetitive animal behaviour.
What is the idea behind oxytocin therapy for autistic people?
Oxytocin is a natural hormone that’s involved in social behaviour, social connection, stress reduction, and positive and calm emotions. Some studies have found that some autistic people have unusual oxytocin levels or that their brains respond to oxytocin in unusual ways. So researchers have wondered whether oxytocin might help autistic people.
Supporters of oxytocin therapy for autistic people believe oxytocin plays a role in the development of autism. They also think that using synthetic oxytocin could improve social interaction and reduce repetitive behaviour. But researchers don’t yet fully understand how oxytocin works in the body and how it affects behaviour.
What does oxytocin therapy involve?
People can take oxytocin by injection or nasal spray or in a lozenge under the tongue. Most studies have used a nasal spray. It doesn’t take long to take a dose of oxytocin, but the treatment might go on for several weeks or months.
Does oxytocin therapy help autistic children?
Research shows mixed results:
- Some small studies have shown short-term positive effects on social behaviour or emotion recognition, but other studies have reported negative effects.
- Some studies have shown no difference between oxytocin and a placebo.
- Research reviews have suggested that oxytocin might have only a limited benefit for people’s everyday lives.
Oxytocin is generally considered safe, but serious side effects have been reported. We don’t yet know about the long‑term effects of oxytocin use in autistic children.
More high-quality studies are needed to weigh up any positive effects against negative effects, side effects and long-term risks.
Also, most studies to date have looked at short-term use and use for autistic adults. Studies are looking at the use of oxytocin for autistic children and its use in combination with other therapies.
Who prescribes oxytocin?
A GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician can prescribe oxytocin.
These health professionals can also give you information about oxytocin and possible side effects. If your child is prescribed oxytocin, your health professional will monitor your child at regular appointments.
Where can you find a doctor who prescribes oxytocin?
You can find psychiatrists at Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists – Find a psychiatrist.
How are parents involved in oxytocin therapy for autistic children?
If your child is prescribed oxytocin, you need to ensure your child takes it each day. You also need to monitor its effects.
How much does oxytocin cost?
Costs vary depending on the form of oxytocin used – nasal spray, injection or lozenge.
Therapies and supports for autistic children range from behavioural therapies and developmental approaches to medicines and alternative therapies. When you understand the main types of therapies and supports for autistic children, it’ll be easier to work out the approach that will best suit your child.