Oxytocin, the so-called love hormone, may help autistic children become more socially well-adjusted, say researchers.
Some studies suggest oxytocin improves the ability to empathize and connect socially, and may decrease repetitive behaviors, which are prevalent in some children with autism.
Scientifically, the jury is still out on whether oxytocin is an effective treatment for autism, but some parents have asked doctors to prescribe it for their children or have purchased lower-dose versions of the drug over the counter, reports The New York Times.
“There’s still a big gap in knowing how much it will really change overall functioning and how to best use it,” Dr. Linmarie Sikich of the University of North Carolina told the Times.
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