[Objective]To study the clinical characteristics and intervention methods of childhood autism.[Methods]With Gesell developmental scale assessment,Autism behavior Checklist ( ABC) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale ( CARS) ,the abilities of movement,language,sociality and life of 58 children with autism and 56 children with mental retardation were compared.[Results] All of the growth indexes among children with autism lagged significantly,especially in language,fine motor ability and adaptability. [Conclusion]Early detection,early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment measure have important significance on the childhood autism.