Enhanced cortisol response to stress in children in autism.

Duerden et al. (2012) compared stress hormones in autistic and non-autistic kids during a routine blood draw.

They took saliva samples before, during, and after the needle stick to track the hormone cortisol.

All children were between 6 and 12 years old and had no other medical conditions.

Autistic children’s cortisol shot up faster and stayed high longer than in typical peers.

Peak levels were almost twice as high, and recovery took nearly 30 extra minutes.

The result points to a hair-trigger stress system in autism when the body is invaded.

van den Broek et al. (2006) saw normal cortisol in autistic adults doing public speaking, but Duerden et al. (2012) now show sky-high cortisol in autistic kids during a blood draw.

The difference is the stressor: social talk versus physical invasion, so the papers don’t clash—they warn us that method and age both matter.

South et al. (2017) found dampened skin-conductance to a social intruder, while Duerden et al. (2012) found heightened cortisol to a medical intruder; together they tell us autistic physiology reacts strongly to body threats but not to social ones.

When you schedule labs, dental work, or vaccines, plan extra calm-down time and sensory breaks.

Offer noise-canceling headphones, a favorite toy, or a parent’s hand before the needle comes out.

A slower, warn-show-do approach can blunt the cortisol spike and keep the whole day from unraveling.