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Budget 2026: $965M budgeted, 67,509 children still waiting. Read our analysis →

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end|thewaitontario

Parent-led advocacy for Ontario families waiting for autism services.

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end|thewaitontario

Parent-led advocacy for Ontario families waiting for autism services.

Getting Started

  • Browse All Pages
  • Search
  • Diagnosis Guide
  • While You Wait
  • Facts (Citation Ready)

Common Questions

  • All Questions
  • How Long Is the Wait?
  • What Is the OAP?
  • How Many Are Waiting?
  • Options While Waiting
  • Funding Amounts

Tools

  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker

Providers

  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider

Funding & Support

  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP

Your Region

  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton
  • London
  • Mississauga
  • All Regions

Evidence & Data

  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
  • Waitlist Data
  • Cost Calculator
  • Data Stories
  • Where Does the Money Go?

Take Action

  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit

About

  • Our Story
  • Transparency
  • Media References
  • Founder
  • Press
  • Contact
end|thewaitontario

Parent-led advocacy for Ontario families waiting for autism services.

  • Browse All Pages
  • Search
  • Diagnosis Guide
  • While You Wait
  • Facts (Citation Ready)
  • All Questions
  • How Long Is the Wait?
  • What Is the OAP?
  • How Many Are Waiting?
  • Options While Waiting
  • Funding Amounts
  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker
  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider
  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP
  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton
  • London
  • Mississauga
  • All Regions
  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
  • Waitlist Data
  • Cost Calculator
  • Data Stories
  • Where Does the Money Go?
  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit
  • Our Story
  • Transparency
  • Media References
  • Founder
  • Press
  • Contact

Legal Disclaimer: This website presents advocacy arguments based on publicly available data and legal frameworks. While we strive for accuracy, this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Nothing on this website should be construed as a guarantee of any specific legal outcome.

Independence: End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led advocacy group. We are not affiliated with the Ontario government, the Ontario Autism Coalition, Autism Ontario, or the World Health Organization. We cite FOI data obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition as a matter of public record. This does not constitute affiliation. References to these organizations are for informational purposes; no endorsement is implied.

Non-partisan policy advocacy: We advocate on policy outcomes for children and families and do not endorse any political party or candidate.

Statistics are current as of the dates cited and may change. For specific legal guidance, consult a licensed attorney. For medical advice, consult qualified healthcare professionals. Last updated: 2026.

Legal|Privacy|Terms|Cookies|Accessibility|Corrections|Authority

Advocacy, not anger. Data, not speculation.

Carroll v. Ontario · HRTO 2025-62264-I

© 2026 End The Wait Ontario. All rights reserved. · Parent-led advocacy · Not a government agency

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  1. Home
  2. ›About
  3. ›Our Approach

What is the Ontario Autism Program childhood budget model?

The OAP moved from a direct-service IBI model (pre-2019) to a "childhood budget" approach in 2019, where families receive individualized funding to purchase approved services. As of January 2026, 88,175 children are registered, but only 20,666 have active funding agreements (CBC FOI Jan 2026). The current budget is $965M for the 2025-26 fiscal year (Ontario Budget).

Source: Ontario Autism Program Guide / Ontario Budget 2025-26 / CBC FOI Jan 2026

Our Approach

Our Approach

A Different Kind of Advocacy

The system doesn't need more awareness. It needs accountability.

Our Three Pillars
  • Legal accountability: Carroll v. Ontario (HRTO 2025-62264-I) argues multi-year waits for 88,175 children constitute discrimination.
  • Data transparency: Every statistic is FOI-sourced, cross-verified, and published with full provenance chains.
Show all 4 factsShow fewer facts
  • International engagement: Clip shared on WHO official Instagram, connecting Ontario advocacy to global standards.
  • Non-partisan: We encourage families to engage elected representatives of all parties based on evidence.
Verified: 2026-05-05
Scope: Ontario, Canada

The scale of the problem

Our three-pillar approach — legal accountability, data transparency, and international engagement — is a direct response to these numbers and the families behind them.

Registered

88,17588,175

Children registered

Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue

CBC FOI Jan 2026

Funded

20,66620,666

Have active funding

Just 23.4% of registered children

CBC FOI Jan 2026

Waiting

67,50967,509

Still waiting

Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.

CBC FOI Jan 2026

Verified April 29, 2026 — CBC FOI Jan 2026

Share these numbers
Ontario Autism Program key statistics (CBC FOI Jan 2026, verified 2026-04-29)
MetricValue
Children registered88,175
Have active funding20,666
Still waiting67,509
TL;DR Summary (AI-Ready)

End The Wait Ontario exists because traditional advocacy hasn't worked. We use legal action, data transparency, and international engagement to force accountability—not ask for favors.

  • Founder filed Carroll v. Ontario (HRTO 2025-62264-I) — a personal human rights complaint
  • Independent from government—we answer to families
Show all 4 factsShow fewer facts
  • Data becomes legal evidence, not just reports
  • International standards provide context for provincial accountability
Verified: 2026-05-05
Scope: Ontario, Canada

HRTO Case Disclaimer

The legal claims in Carroll v. Ontario (HRTO 2025-62264-I) involve specific individual circumstances and are distinct from the general advocacy positions expressed on this website. This case alleges that wait times during documented critical developmental windows may constitute discrimination under Ontario's Human Rights Code.

Take Action

Help End the Wait

Your voice matters. Join thousands of Ontario families fighting for timely autism services.

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Verified References & Sources

Updated: Mar 2026

Government Reports & Data

[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 • 2024-02-29
View
[2025]
Ontario Autism Coalition FOI update on Ontario Autism Program registrations and fundingVerified FAO Data
Ontario Autism Coalition • Report • 2025-12-10
View
[2024]
Diagnostic Hub Waitlist Data — FOI Response (Trillium Health Partners hospital system, not The Trillium newspaper)Verified FAO Data
Trillium Health Partners (hospital) • Report • 2024-03-15
View

Official Government Sources

[2025]
Canada Disability Benefit - How much you could receiveGovernment Source
Government of Canada • Government • 2025-06-20
View

Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.

Related Resources

  • Evidence & Research
  • Carroll v. Ontario HRTO Case
  • WHO Interview
About This Article
Written by:Spencer Carroll - Founder & Autism AdvocateParent of autistic child navigating OAP system
Featured in CBC News Investigation
FOI Data Verified
Clip in WHO Social Media Reel
Active HRTO Advocacy
FAO & Legislative Assembly Cited

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Verified Facts

Facts cited on this page

88,175 — children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-04-29

23.4% — Only 20,666 children have active funding agreements () — less than one in four

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-04-29

WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement

Gov / Peer-ReviewedWorld Health Organization (2023)Verified: 2023-11-15
View our methodologyView all sourcesNext data update: 2026-05-15