DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
This practice guideline was developed under the auspices of the Steering Committee on Practice
Guidelines. The development process is detailed in a document available from the APA
Department of Quality Improvement and Psychiatric Services: the “APA Guideline Development
Process.” Key features of this process include the following:
• A comprehensive literature review to identify all relevant randomized clinical trials as well
as less rigorously designed clinical trials and case series when evidence from randomized
trials was unavailable.
• Development of evidence tables that reviewed the key features of each identified study,
including funding source, study design, sample sizes, subject characteristics, treatment
characteristics, and treatment outcomes.
• Initial drafting of the guideline by a work group that included psychiatrists with clinical
and research expertise in ASD and PTSD.
• Production of multiple revised drafts with widespread review; 11 organizations and 55
individuals submitted significant comments.
• Approval by the APA Assembly and Board of Trustees.
• Planned revisions at regular intervals.