Comparison of saliva collection methods in children with high-functioning Autism Spectrum disorders: Acceptability and recovery of cortisol

Abstract This study compared cortisol concentrations yielded using three saliva collection methods (passive drool salivette and sorbette) in both in vitro and in vivo conditions as well as method acceptability for a sample of children (n = 39) with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders. No cortisol concentration differences were observed between passive and sorbette samples obtained in vitro or in vivo.The salivette derived concentrationwas lower than the other two methods for the in vitro derived comparisons but did not differ from the other methods when collected in vivo. Cross-day comparison for the salivettes was also found to differ significantlywhereas the cross-day comparisons did not differ for the passivemethod or the sorbette method. Overall passive drool and sorbettes were found to produce similar and stable readings of cortisol whereas the salivette yielded unstable and variable concentrations. Ratings suggested that the children generally perceived all methods as acceptable.