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Table 2 Purpose of Diagnostic Guidelines

From: Clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in adults and children in the UK: a narrative review

Type of guideline

General purpose of type of guideline

Diagnostic Criteria

To assist clinicians in the diagnosis of mental conditions by providing descriptions of the main clinical features in each category

National Clinical Guidelines

To offer best practice advice and guidance for professionals and service users and their families

Guidelines from Professional Bodies

To offer profession specific advice to clinicians and healthcare professionals in their specialist area

Journal Articles

To summarise clinical guidelines in clinician-facing publications to keep clinicians up to date and/or alert them to changes in good practice