Garrick, put the bong down.

littlechanges, you sound a little sheltered.

littlechanges, if you think this doesn't happen you really have no idea. My own mother put me through hell growing up(without even realizing she was doing anything wrong) and my father let her. This @!$%# happens and the child suffers.

Garrick is correct...problems in infant/parent bonding can present themselves in many ways in relation to the child's social development. This area of research is very important, because many current factors such as premature births, working mothers, economic stressors, etc. can get in the way of healthy infant/caregiver bonding...and this bonding disorder phenomenon could even have something to do (in some cases) with the high prevalence of what we call Attention Deficit Disorders currently, in my opinion.

That said...this new research concerning pitocin and it's possible ability to assist those who suffer with autism disorder symptoms is a fascinating and wonderful break through in understanding...and so common sense. If we just looked for the simple answers that are right in front of us, more often, we would be in a lot better shape...and we would be consuming a lot less pharmaceuticals. I always appreciate treatments that are aimed at addressing the underlying cause of the disorder, rather than a band-aide approach to address the symptoms that sometimes causes more problems than good. I believe hormone (naturally present in the body) therapies are the way of the future in mental/emotional health treatment breakthroughs...and most likely for physical health issues as well, but it is a difficult and intricate field of study...as we still do not understand much about the master workings of hormones in all bodily functioning...and some of the environmental factors that disrupt this balance.

I comletely agree KJR, the fact is both my mother and I have ADD(plus she also suffers from depression). Ritalin was absolutely awful for me, it made me feel empty emotionally, like I has ceased to exist. The other meds weren't as bad but they were still taking a toll on me. From 7 until 18 I was made to consume treatments for my symptoms. By the time I was a legal adult I felt so very emotionally separate/distant from everyone. These last 12 years of being med free I've come a long way in becoming ok.

Kozakura...Good luck to you. There are many natural stress relievers that can work to help with stress, anxiety, and attention deficit types of symptoms... and a lot of good articles with this type of information out there. I am a firm believer in prayerful meditation and a good diet as starters.

There was just recently an article that discussed nine foods that are natural calmers...stress reducers. They are... oranges, sweet potatoes, dried apricots, nuts (almonds, pistachios, and walnuts), turkey, spinach, salmon, avocados and green vegetables. Additionally, my own personal calmer is a few chocolate chip/walnut cookies with milk. Protein supplement drink like Boost can also be very helpful as an inbetween meals snack.

Also, I think being good to yourself (taking time to nurture yourself) is of major importance...as well as taking time to help others, a very natural mood lifter. Thank you for your insights, and again, good luck...it sounds like you are on a positive path to wellness.

Garrick is correct...problems in infant/parent bonding can present themselves in many ways in relation to the child's social development.

Technically true. However, there is plenty of research that points to a strictly genetic root cause in many (although certainly not all) manifestations of autistic spectrum behavior.

I am on the autistic spectrum. As an infant I did not like to be held. My mother was distraught over that actually. I still don't like being touched that much. Sometimes, (and in my opinion often) the root is physiological... Ah... Nature over nurture. Although I will speculate that often enough when presented with an infant that is well... 'off' socially, and not giving the 'right' cues from very early, many parents may--to varying degrees--'reject' such a child, which will only further compound the situation.

This area of research is very important, because many current factors such as premature births, working mothers, economic stressors, etc. can get in the way of healthy infant/caregiver bonding...and this bonding disorder phenomenon could even have something to do (in some cases) with the high prevalence of what we call Attention Deficit Disorders currently, in my opinion.

I'm grateful that you clarified this as just an opinion. My opinion is that it is one that is fraught with danger. Regardless of your benign intent or good sense, not everyone has that; and thinking like this is all too prone to abuse. It opens the door wide open again for speculation about 'cold mother syndrome', or 'that all autistics are sexually abused', or whatever shadenfreudian theory people want to toss at the wall to see what sticks.

This kind of nurture-over-nature speculation tends to feed on itself and spread, creating an accusatory, caustic environment for parents of these children and the children themselves. In my opinion, it is ultimately counter productive, and can compound into something extraordinarily socially dangerous.

I am the mother of a teen with Asperger's Syndrome. Morgan's comments are absolutely correct. Most of the comments posted here are coming from clueless spectators or PIDs (Parents In Denial) with the exception of KJRs comments concerning hormone imbalances. Genetic predisposition to spectrum issues is prevalent in many of these cases, and there is definitely a digestive enzyme problem in most of these cases, too, where the ingested proteins cannot be broken down in the body to form the amino acids that are so necessary for neurological development. With that being said, I'm all for continued study in the fields of genetics/hormone therapy, because this may well be the source of a cure for the future...but for now, I'm all for giving oxytocin a try if my teen is onboard with the same.