Salivary cortisol and immunoglobulin A: Responses to stress as predictors of health complaints reported by caregivers of offspring with autistic spectrum disorder

► Stress response in ASD caregiver patients is compared to non-caregiver controls. ► Caregiving is associated with buffered cortisol and IgA responses to stress. ► Caregivers also report more perceived symptoms than controls. ► Perceived health is associated with care status and immuno-endocrine response. ► Predictors of perceived health in caregivers are identified.