Have you tried this to relax and calm kids with autism?

Azalea, Have you heard of the remedy for a panic attack where you get the sufferer to breath in and out of a paper bag? http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/using-a-paper-bag-to-control-hyperventilation

Would this make you panic more even if you knew that doctors are happy to suggest that it works?

It seems to me that a pressure vest might achieve a similar result.

P.S. I had to read the bit about Ruby a couple of times before I was sure that you hadn't overdone the squeezing of the GP!

I'm glad I didn't jump to the conclusion with both feet then ;-)

I've learnt something new from everyone's contributions on this one.

Is it possible that it simply restricts the patient's breathing to the point where "over breathing", that comes with a panic attack, can't happen?

am severely classic autistic and have used a compression vest [the original; southpaw deep pressure bear hug vest] for many years apart from recent months as am to fat/put on a lot of weight from being on a lot of anti pyschotic medication.

when wearing it,there is a profound inner sense of calm,it feels like being on higher levels of codeine.

got mine from rompa originaly but they sell a very different version of mine now so cant recommend it.

Read Temple Grandin. Most published editions of "Thinking in Pictures" include "The Squeeze Machine", which I strongly recommend.

There is clear evidence that people on the spectrum have an unusual desire for weight or pressure on the body, and find it beneficial (certainly true for me). Exactly why is unclear - one suggestion is that hugging is less easy for sensory and proximity reasons so they get less hugging and close body contact from others.

Besides weighted vests, weighted blankets and "machines" which envelope and "hug" seem to be hugely beneficial for at least some people on the spectrum.

In adults it seems to manifest in sex play - people on the spectrum are turned on by the partner being on top, not always a logical request for males to make. If you don't believe me, I recall there's a reference to this in John Elder Robison's "Look me in the Eye".

As a child I tried to sleep under the mattress or down the side of the bed which was against a wall, or sleep under a heavy overcoat, or blankets tightly tucked in. Sounds strange maybe, but don't knock it if you don't understand it.

Hugging your own child yourself may not be straightforward if the child is touch sensitive or reacts badly to close proximity.

"Current research indicates that vests are an ineffective treatment for autism and ADHD." according to http://www.bundoo.com/articles/do-children-with-autism-need-a-special-vest/

My first reaction to this post was that it sounded like an advert. However, I shouldn't jump to conclusions so I haven't flagged it to the moderators.

It seems to me that there may be a strong placebo effect with this. The vest is "special" and involves the child getting extra, special attention so I can see that a child may react positively. Not sure how you would do a double-blind randomised trial with something like this!

Personally I would perhaps just do the hugging of my own child myself?