Assessment, diagnosis and interventions for autism spectrum disorders

The prevalence of ASD in children and adults is around 1% of the population in the UK. There is an increasing understanding that ASD is a lifelong condition in which the core features persist whilst manifesting differently according to different age stages.

Remit and target users

This guideline updates SIGN 98, published in 2007 to reflect the most recent evidence covering children and young people. The guideline provides recommendations for best practice in the screening, surveillance, diagnosis, assessment and clinical interventions for children and young people with ASD. It also incorporates evidence and recommendations on assessment, diagnosis and interventions for adults with ASD.

This guideline will be of interest to healthcare professionals and other multiagency colleagues who work with children and adults with ASD, as well as people with ASD, their parents, carers, relatives, partners and others with whom they interact.

How this guideline was developed

This guideline was developed using a standard methodology based on a systematic review of the evidence. Further details can be found in SIGN 50: A Guideline Developer’s Handbook.

Keeping up to date

This guideline was first issued in 2016 and revalidated in August 2019. Details can be found in the scoping report. It will be considered again for review in 2023. The review history, and any updates to the guideline in the interim period, are noted in the review report.

​Current 3-7 years

Some recommendations may be out of  date, declaration of interests governance may not be in line with current policy.