Objective   To investigate the sleep-related problems of autistic children.    Methods   Thirty two autistic patients who received medical treatment in the Department of Pediatrics of Xinqiao Hospital and 37 matched healthy children who attend in kindergarten of Xin-qiao hospital were investigated by the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionaire (CSHQ)

all of whose age ranged from 2.5 to 5 years old.    Results   The amount of sleep of autistic children was less than that of normal children (P0.05). In the CSHQ

there was no significant difference of the total score between autistic children and normal children (P0.05). There were significant differences of the subscale scores

such as sleep duration

night waking and daytime sleepiness between autistic children and normal children aged from 2.5 to 3 (P0.05). Significant differences were found in the subscale scores of sleep latency

sleep duration

night waking and daytime sleepiness of autistic children aged from 3 to 5 compared with normal children at the same age (P0.05).    Conclusion   Compared with normal children at the same age

autistic children aged from 2.5 to 5 have less amount of sleep and more serious problems in sleep duration

night waking and daytime sleepiness.