Objective To know the characteristics of symptoms in autism,and to understand the diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in DSM-Ⅴ. Methods Children with autism were diagnosed using DSM-Ⅳ criteria and assessed by Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) in Shanghai Mental Health Center.Then the positive rates of each item in DSM-Ⅳ and ABC,and the difference of every item in DSM-Ⅳ between gender/age were analysed. Results 1)Among 466 autistic children,the highest positive rates of qualitative impairment in social interaction,communication,restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior,interest and activities,delays or abnormal functioning were 95.3%,84.8%,79.8%,92.9% respectively.There were differences among ages on marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors;marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others; stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language;apparently inflexible adherence to specific,nonfunctional routines or rituals; delays or abnormal functioning in social interaction.There was difference between boys and girls in language as used in social communication,persistent preoccupation with parts of objects.2) 263 of 466 children diagnosed by DSM-Ⅳ children met DSM-Ⅴ part A.3) The positive rates ranged from 34.2%~94% in ABC,there was difference between genders on item 27. Conclusions With DSM-Ⅴ,the diagnosis of ASD may decrease,social communication and language may get better with age,but the behavior may get worse.Gender may be not the primary factor that affect the symptoms.