As the incidence of autism rises annually, its unknown pathogenesis makes it challenging to treat the varied repetitive and stereotyped behaviors that characterize its core symptoms. The striatum is an important brain region for the control of locomotor behaviors, featuring a unique mosaic structure, complex neural origin, and finely regulated developmental process that is highly susceptible to genetic and environmental influences. Both clinical and basic studies have indicated that abnormal development of the striatal nuclei may contribute to the pathogenesis of these repetitive stereotyped behaviors in autism. Clinical imaging data have primarily identified gross anatomical variations in the stratum (e. g., its general outline), but lack the resolution necessary to detect the cellular and subcellular alterations within the region. By introducing the abnormalities in the spatiotemporal development of the striatum and their links to the characteristic behaviors of autism, this review aims to advance our understanding of the role of the striatum in autism pathogenesis and to inform future animal studies and clinical research.