Autistic children aged between three and eight have been shown to benefit from increased social skills when they use a nasal spray containing the hormone oxytocin.

That’s the latest news from a trial conducted by medical researchers in Australia, in which 31 children with autism were given a dose of the spray twice a day for five weeks.

Informally referred to as the ‘cuddle chemical’, naturally occurring oxytocin in the human body is controlled by a positive feedback mechanism whereby the hormone’s release causes an action which stimulates more of its own release, and it is associated with feelings of happiness.

In the UK, almost one in 100 children has autism or a related condition like Asperger’s Syndrome, which is ten times the figure recorded 30 years ago.

The latest news means that more autistic children could soon be able to enjoy better interactions with others.

Christine Blue, whose son participated in the Australian tests, said that the oxytocin dose appeared to have allowed her child to express his personality more effectively, meaning that he was happier as a result.

In an interview with ABC News, Mrs Blue said: “We were doing a whole lot of intervention before oxytocin.

“We weren’t really seeing a lot of results. The oxytocin trial seemed to be the point where Hayden was able to put all the puzzle pieces together.

“And from that point on, Hayden’s development has gone from strength to strength.”