Therapy Resource

AAC vs PECS Ontario: A Guide for Autism Families

25-50% of autistic children are minimally speaking or non-speaking. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) gives non-speaking and minimally-speaking children a way to communicate, and research shows it supports, not hinders, natural speech development.

Quick Summary

  • Complete guide to AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices for autistic children in Ontario. Learn about ADP funding (historically about 75% coverage)
  • And how AAC supports speech development.

General information only—not a diagnosis, treatment plan, crisis service, or individual estimate. Confirm your next step with the linked source or a qualified professional.

The children these therapies serve

Behind every AAC device is a child who deserves a voice, and a family navigating a system that moves too slowly.

What Are the Key AAC Numbers for Ontario?

Understanding the scope of communication needs and the supports available to Ontario families.

25-50%

of autistic children are minimally speaking or non-speaking

~75%

of approved SGD device cost typically covered by Ontario's ADP program (confirm current coverage)

$200–$8,000+

typical device cost range before ADP or OAP funding

4–12 wks

commonly reported ADP application processing time after submission (varies; confirm with ADP)

89%

of participants showed increases in natural speech production after introducing AAC (systematic review)

~$7,770

commonly cited maximum ADP contribution toward an approved speech-generating device (confirm current amount with ADP)

Understanding AAC

What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication?

AAC refers to all communication methods used to supplement or replace spoken language. The word “augmentative” means adding to existing speech. The word “alternative” means providing a different means of communication. Most AAC users use a combination of methods at the same time.

AAC is not a last resort for children who fail to speak. It is a communication right. Ontario's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) supports the provision of AAC tools in educational and public settings. The OAP Clinical Framework 2024 explicitly names AAC as a core service for minimally speaking autistic children.

Key Research Finding

A systematic review published in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology found that 89% of participants showed increases in natural speech production after introducing AAC. Robust AAC use is now considered a best practice for minimally speaking autistic children by ASHA, ISAAC, and Ontario's OAP Clinical Framework.

From device to funding

AAC device tiers, matched to how Ontario funds them

Every AAC option below, from a picture card to a speech-generating device, maps to at least one funding path a family can pursue in Ontario.

No Technology

No-Tech AAC

Gestures, sign language, body language, and facial expressions. Always available, never runs out of battery. Foundational for all communicators.

Low Technology

Low-Tech AAC

Picture boards, communication books, PECS cards, and alphabet boards. Durable, portable, inexpensive, and effective.

Mid Technology

Mid-Tech AAC

Simple battery-powered devices with pre-recorded messages. Good for specific routines or high-use environments.

High Technology

High-Tech AAC

Robust speech-generating devices with dynamic display screens, text-to-speech synthesis, and extensive vocabulary systems. Most powerful option.

ADP (Assistive Devices Program)

Ontario Ministry of Health

Typically the majority of the approved device cost, up to a maximum that changes (confirm current amounts with ADP)

  1. 1.SLP completes a comprehensive AAC assessment
  2. 2.Physician or NP signs the ADP application form
  3. 3.ADP reviews and approves (timeline varies; often cited around 4-12 weeks)
  4. 4.Family pays the remaining 25% co-payment

OAP Core Clinical Services

Ontario Autism Program

$6,600–$65,000/year for therapy including AAC

  1. 1.Register on the OAP waitlist (apply immediately)
  2. 2.Access Foundational Family Services now, no wait
  3. 3.Core services fund AAC assessment and SLP therapy
  4. 4.Current wait for core services: multi-year waits (ETWO analysis of MCCSS FOI data (obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition))

School Board Funding

Ontario Ministry of Education

Full device cost for educational use

  1. 1.Request an AAC assessment through your child's school
  2. 2.IPRC team determines communication support needs
  3. 3.Board procures an approved device for school use
  4. 4.Note: device remains at school, not for home use
PECS & Low-Tech

No-Tech and Low-Tech AAC

PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) is one of the most researched low-tech AAC approaches for autism. Developed by Andy Bondy and Lori Frost, it teaches children to communicate by exchanging picture cards with a partner. PECS has over 30 years of research supporting its use and is implemented in Ontario schools across the province.

Sign language, particularly Makaton (simplified signs paired with speech and picture symbols), is widely used in Ontario schools and early years programs. Many Ontario school boards train Educational Assistants in basic Makaton signs as part of standard special education practice.

PECS Phase 1 can begin at any age

Including toddlers under 18 months. Early communication training reduces challenging behaviours linked to communication frustration before they become entrenched.

No device, no battery, no cost

Low-tech AAC works everywhere, in the grocery store, at the park, during power outages. It is always the backup when high-tech devices fail.

Free PECS resources through OAP

Ontario's Foundational Family Services program offers free workshops on PECS and low-tech AAC implementation. No waitlist required, available immediately.

High-Tech Devices

High-Tech AAC Devices

High-tech speech-generating devices (SGDs) produce spoken output and can contain thousands of vocabulary items. Ontario's ADP program was specifically designed to fund these devices for individuals who need them.

iPad with Proloquo2Go or TouchChat

Most common high-tech option in Ontario. Apps cost $200-$300. ADP may fund the iPad as a dedicated communication device when supported by a robust SLP assessment. Proloquo2Go is the most widely used AAC app in Ontario schools.

Dedicated SGDs (Tobii Dynavox, PRC-Saltillo)

Purpose-built devices ($3,000-$12,000+) with durable casings, loud speakers, and mounting systems. ADP directly covers approved dedicated SGDs up to the program maximum. Preferred by SLPs for children with complex or long-term communication needs.

Eye-Tracking Devices

For individuals with limited motor control who cannot reliably use touch screens. Eye-gaze technology allows communication by looking at symbols on the screen. Tobii Dynavox manufactures the most widely used eye-gaze systems available in Ontario.

Speech-Language Pathology

The SLP's Role in AAC

A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is the primary professional for AAC assessment and implementation in Ontario. SLP involvement is required for ADP funding and is strongly recommended by the OAP Clinical Framework 2024.

What SLPs Assess

  • Current communication abilities and methods
  • Language comprehension and expression levels
  • Motor skills needed for device access
  • Cognitive and literacy skills
  • Environmental and social communication needs
  • Family goals and daily routine requirements

How to Access an SLP

  • Request through your child's school (publicly funded)
  • Ask your pediatrician for a referral
  • Contact CASLPO for a regulated SLP near you
  • Access through OAP Core Clinical Services ($6,600–$65,000/year, long wait)
  • Hire privately, OAP Core Clinical Services or legacy Childhood Budget can cover costs
  • Autism Ontario chapters can recommend local SLPs

Important: AAC Training Is Ongoing

Getting a device is only the first step. Research shows that without adequate training for both the child and their communication partners (parents, teachers, EAs), AAC devices are often abandoned within the first year. Plan for ongoing SLP support and ensure your child's school team is trained on any device before it arrives in the classroom.

Evidence Base

AAC and Speech Development: What the Research Says

The most common parental concern, that AAC will prevent their child from speaking , is not supported by any credible research.

No studies show that AAC reduces or eliminates natural speech development in autistic children. The evidence runs in the opposite direction.

Source: ASHA Position Statement on AAC, 2022

Robust high-tech AAC introduced early (before age 3) is associated with greater gains in both AAC use and natural speech than delayed introduction.

Source: ISAAC Evidence Summary, 2023

Aided language stimulation, where communication partners model on the AAC device, is the most effective teaching strategy for new AAC users.

Source: Ontario OAP Clinical Framework, 2024

AAC reduces frustration-based challenging behaviours in the majority of minimally speaking autistic children when implemented with adequate communication partner training.

Source: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2021

Ontario AAC Resources and Apps

Tools and organizations supporting AAC for autism families across Ontario.

Recommended AAC Apps

  • Proloquo2Go

    Most widely used symbol-based AAC app in Ontario schools. iOS only. Comprehensive vocabulary, research-backed, ADP-eligible when prescribed by an SLP.

  • TouchChat HD with WordPower

    iOS and Android. Popular with older children and adults. Multiple vocabulary systems including core word approaches.

  • Snap Core First (Tobii Dynavox)

    Windows and iOS. Often paired with Tobii Dynavox dedicated devices. Strong core vocabulary focus and school integration tools.

  • LetMeTalk (Android, free)

    Free open-source AAC app. A solid starting point for families exploring AAC before committing to a paid system.

  • Cboard (web browser, free)

    Browser-based AAC board accessible on any device. Supported by UNICEF. Suitable for travel or as a backup when primary devices are unavailable.

Ontario AAC Organizations

  • ISAAC Canada

    International Society for AAC Canadian chapter. Annual conferences, evidence summaries, and family resources for AAC users.

  • CASLPO

    College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario. The public register to find a regulated SLP anywhere in the province.

  • Autism Ontario

    Chapters across Ontario offer AAC workshops, device lending libraries, and SLP referrals. Free to access.

  • Ontario ADP Program

    Apply for ADP device funding (historically about 75% of approved cost) through the Ontario Ministry of Health. Your SLP initiates the application process.

  • Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab (Toronto)

    Ontario's leading pediatric rehab hospital with a specialized AAC clinic and device demonstration centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find an AAC-Experienced SLP in Ontario

The right Speech-Language Pathologist will guide your family through AAC assessment, device selection, ADP funding, and ongoing training.

Find a Provider Near YouOAP Funding Guide

Take Action

Help End the Wait

Ontario families assembled this evidence from the government’s own records. Put it to work.

Email Your MPP (2 min)Share Your Story

Verified References & Sources

Updated:

Government Reports & Data

  • [2023]
    Exclusion of Students With Disabilities — 2023 SurveyVerified FAO Data
    Community Living Ontario • Report • 2023-10-01
    View
  • [2024]
    Inclusion Without Proper Support Is AbandonmentVerified FAO Data
    Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario • Report • 2024-06-01
    View
  • [2020]
    Autism ServicesVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2020-07-21
    View
  • [2024]
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan ReviewVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2024-06-05
    View
  • [2026]
    Ontario Autism Program figures as of May 13, 2026 (MCCSS, released under Freedom of Information to the Ontario Autism Coalition; published in the OAC "OAP At A Glance" update, July 2026)Verified FAO Data
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario), obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition • Report • 2026-05-13
    View

Related Resources

Citable source facts(6)Question-and-answer pairs with their source and verification link.

What does the WHO say about early autism intervention timing?

Verified

The WHO Fact Sheet on Autism Spectrum Disorders (2023) states that timely access to early evidence-based psychosocial interventions can improve the ability of autistic children to communicate effectively and interact socially. Dawson et al. (2010, Pediatrics; PMID 19948568) confirmed in an RCT that ESDM (Early Start Denver Model) at 18–30 months produced significant developmental gains.

Source: WHO Fact Sheet: Autism Spectrum Disorders (2023); Dawson et al., Pediatrics 2010 (PMID 19948568) · Verify Link

What autism services are available in Ontario while waiting for OAP?

Verified

While waiting for OAP Core Clinical Services, families can access: Foundational Family Services (free, no waitlist), school-based IEP supports, Preschool Speech and Language programs, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, private therapy (if financially able), and DSO registration for transition planning.

Source: Ontario Autism Program · Verify Link

What free autism resources are available in Ontario?

Verified

Free autism resources in Ontario include: EarlyON Child and Family Centres (drop-in), Preschool Speech and Language (assessment/therapy), OAP Caregiver Workshops (training), and Foundational Family Services. These are available without the main OAP waitlist but do not replace intensive clinical therapy.

Source: Ontario.ca · Verify Link

How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist?

Verified

Latest FOI data shows 91,974 children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program (May 2026), while only 22.5% have active funding agreements. [FOI] An active funding agreement does not mean a child is receiving services; it is an administrative status distinct from service delivery. The Ontario Autism Coalition reported in July 2026 that some families in its community had waited more than five years. That report is not a province-wide average. Last verified: 2026-08-10

Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO] & FOI Data · Verify Link

What makes End The Wait Ontario different from other autism resources?

Verified

End The Wait Ontario analyzes Ontario's autism waitlist crisis using verified program data from Freedom of Information requests filed by the Ontario Autism Coalition (Dec 2025) and CBC News (Jan 2026), and the FAO. [FOI] Because this platform aggregates ministry and watchdog figures in one place, parents and advocates can monitor the crisis in real time and hold decision‑makers accountable. Last verified: 2026-08-10

Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO] & FOI Data · Verify Link

Why is there such a long waitlist?

Verified

FAO spending‑plan reviews show that, even as 91,974 children are registered in the OAP (May 2026), only 22.5% have active funding agreements. [FOI] This structural underfunding creates a permanent backlog: each year, more children join the waitlist than transition into therapy.

Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO] & FOI Data · Verify Link

Evidence on this page

The source chain stays visible.

Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.

Facts3
Sources2

1 in 50

According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about 1 in 50 children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis

Government / peer-reviewedPublic Health Agency of Canada (2024)Verified 2024-03-26

22.5%

Only 20,711 children have active funding agreements (22.5%), less than one in four

Government / peer-reviewedMCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026Verified 2026-08-10
Last system verification: 2026-08-10. Next scheduled update: 2026-11-05.
View methodologyBrowse every source

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About This Article

Written by

Founder & Autism Advocate

Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system