Just thought some of you may be interested in a technique used to help with sensory issues as well as help your Autistic child settle. Basically I have used this method for years on my Asperger son and it really works for us.
When your child is in obvious overdrive ans just cant settle heres what you can try. You turn them into a Sausage Roll. Simply lie child down on the floor, on either a floor rug or heavy based blanket etc. You then tell the child they are going to be a 'sausage' and you are going to roll them up in pastry. They can leave their arms out, or tuck them in, it depends on how comfortable they are with having restricted movement.
So, you roll the child into a kind of cocoon you could say, and while talking to them you pat them really quiet hard all over the body. Dont worry about this hurting the child, because it doesnt, in fact it does the opposite. It gives some a sense of security. My son likes it the harder the better. You pat them for at least 2 minutes or if they like it, longer. Then you simply roll them out, and for some reason a strange calm takes over.
I know, this sounds really weird,but it works. You may need to try it a few times, but now when my son feels overwhelmed, he asks to be rolled up. Good Luck.

one of the teachers in my daughter's class does this, but without a blanket. whenever my daughter gets overwhelmed, overstimulated, or just starts acting crazy, the teacher will take my daughter to a quiet corner and start rubbing, squeezing, and patting her really hard all over her arms and legs. works like a charm every time.

Thanks! I will try this with my daughter. She calms down if we rub her back. She rolls herself into her 'nest' and that's self calming for her. She is allowed to do this at school and its been very helpful.

At our local autistic school they have something like gym mats that are rolled into a circle. I have seen some children go into it when they get stressed and the teacher sits on top until the child lets them know they want to get out. Apparently, some children need the pressure to reduce their stress levels. My son used to like being held tightly so that he couldn't move when he was upset. It worked well for a long time but unfortunately it has stopped working for him now.

We call it the HOT DOG. He loves it. When I see he's getting out of sorts I hug him too. Or hold him on lap with his face towards me and place by chin on the top of his head and press down while hugging him. The other day his OT put a vest with weights on him for the first time. He had it on and got quiet right away. Even looked like he was going to sleep. Very relaxed. The thing he likes the best though is being swung in a balnket by Mom and Dad while singing Rock a bye Baby. When he wants to be swung he will say "Mommy, I want Rock a bye Baby." :wave:

I am so happy to hear this method is used even ont he other side of the world. It seems so odd, but yet practical. A program the school is doing with my son is called the ALERT program. It is too hard to explain in full here and as email is not allowed I will have to post another thread for those interested. Basically it teaches the child to recognise what sensory needs the child may have. Good luck all