Oxytocin Treatment for Autistic Child Essay

A Prescription for HealthHypothetical PatientThe patient is a 5-year-old boy who presents with difficulties in social interaction and communication. He has poor eye contact, appears aloof, and seems uninterested in interacting with others. He has repetitive behaviors and interests, and he is particularly interested in parts of objects rather than the whole object. He has difficulty understanding the perspectives of others and does not seem to be aware of the personal space of others. Based on this presentation, it is likely that the patient has autism.Educating the PatientIn this case, it is most appropriate to educate the boys parents about autism. The first place to start is with the endocrine system. The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce and release hormones. These hormones help to regulate many of the bodys processes, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction. The endocrine system works closely with the nervous system to maintain homeostasis.The pituitary gland is often referred to as the master gland because it controls the production of other hormones in the body. The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and produces several important hormones, including growth hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Growth hormone helps to regulate bone growth and muscle development. Adrenocorticotropic hormone helps to regulate the stress response. The thyroid gland is located in the neck and produces thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone helps to regulate metabolism. The parathyroid glands are also located in the neck and produce parathyroid hormone. Parathyroid hormone helps to regulate calcium levels in the blood. The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys and produce adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline is released in response to stress and helps to increase heart rate and blood pressure. Cortisol helps to regulate metabolism and the immune system. The pancreas is located behind the stomach and produces insulin and glucagon. Insulin helps to regulate blood sugar levels by helping cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Glucagon helps to raise blood sugar levels by releasing stored glucose into the bloodstream. The ovaries are located in the pelvis and produce estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and develop secondary sexual characteristics. Progesterone helps to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. The testes are located in the scrotum and produce testosterone. Testosterone helps to develop secondary sexual characteristics and promotes sperm production (Wild & Zimmermann, 2021). All of these hormones work together thanks to the endocrine system, which helps the body to function and develop appropriately.One important hormone in social development is oxytocin. Oxytocin is known as the cuddle hormone because it is released when we hug, touch, or…

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…the patients case, it appears that the boy may be lacking sufficient oxytocin.Preliminary PrognosisA comprehensive treatment plan should focus on helping the child to regulate their hormone levels, in order to improve their overall health and well-being. If the patients parents are amenable to a prognosis of autism caused the endocrine system, then a treatment plan would involve. The patients parents should indicate that they understand the role that oxytocin plays and that it is a hormone that is involved in social interactions and bonding. A lack of oxytocin has been linked to autism. The hormone also plays a role in memory, stress response, and anxiety. Correcting the deficiency can help the boy with social interactions, bonding, memory, and stress response. A treatment plan that includes behavior therapy, medication, and supplements can help to correct the deficiency and improve the symptoms of autism.Conclusion: Treatment PlanThe treatment plan for an autistic boy should focus on regulating oxytocin levels. The boy's parents should administer oxytocin nasal spray to him on a daily basis. They should also keep a close eye on his social interactions and use positive reinforcement to encourage him to interact with others. In case of an emergency, the parents should call the doctor or take the boy to the hospital. This treatment plan will help the autistic…