The Panicosaurus. Kay Al-Ghani

place, we will have succeeded in giving them some control over their fears. If we can also induce gentle laughter – that most exquisite of mental releases, peculiar to humans – it will be an added bonus. It is thought that the first human laughter may have started as a gesture of shared relief at the passing of danger. The relaxation that results from smiles and genuine laughter inhibits the fight-or-flight response and so is a valuable tool to help to control anxiety, especially in children, although it should never be forced. Interestingly, in some children with autism uncontrollable laughter may actually be a sign of acute anxiety.

      For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety is something they may have to struggle with on a daily basis. Children with autism, especially those with Asperger syndrome, seem to worry excessively about everyday events that typical children would normally take in