Ontario 2026
Official Government PortalThe programme behind the number
AccessOAP is the gateway to Ontario's autism system, but the system behind it is failing tens of thousands of families.
Registered
88,175Children registered
Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Funded
20,666Have active funding
Only 23.4% of registered children
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Waiting
67,509Still waiting
Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Verified , CBC FOI Jan 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 88,175 |
| Have active funding | 20,666 |
| Still waiting | 67,509 |
A clip of Spencer Carroll, founder of End The Wait Ontario, was included in a reel shared by WHO's official Instagram account discussing autism early intervention and why the 0-6 age window is critical. Not endorsed by WHO.
The official intake portal for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP), operated by Accerta Services Inc. under contract with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS). Families must register through AccessOAP to access publicly funded autism services including core clinical services, foundational family services, and caregiver-mediated early years programs.
Source: MCCSS
Follow these five steps to register your child for the Ontario Autism Program. Registration is free. Timing for later program steps depends on registration date, invitations, and current capacity.
Obtain a formal diagnosis from a registered psychologist, psychological associate, or qualified physician.
Private assessment costs $2,500-$4,000 (1-3 months). Public OHIP assessment is free but takes 12-24 months.
Collect child's OHIP card, diagnosis report, proof of Ontario address, and parent ID.
Upload diagnosis as PDF for faster processing.
Visit accessoap.ca or call 1-833-425-2445 to create your family portal.
Have all documents ready before starting registration.
Complete the online form and upload all required documentation.
Register immediately after diagnosis - waitlist position is based on registration date.
AccessOAP contacts you when the next program step is available for your family.
Keep contact info updated to avoid missing your invitation.
Ontario Autism Coalition materials summarizing Freedom of Information data show a large backlog in the Ontario Autism Program. This page uses those published counts and avoids assigning a province-wide average wait in years unless an official source directly provides one.
Source: Ontario Autism Coalition summary of December 10, 2025 FOI data
AccessOAP is the official registration portal for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). It is operated by Accerta Services Inc. under contract with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS). Families must register through AccessOAP to access OAP funding for autism services. Contact: 1-833-425-2445 or accessoap.ca.
To register with AccessOAP: 1) Obtain an autism diagnosis from a qualified professional, 2) Gather documents (OHIP card, diagnosis report, proof of address, parent ID), 3) Visit accessoap.ca or call 1-833-425-2445, 4) Complete the online registration form, 5) Submit documents and wait for confirmation.
The AccessOAP phone number is 1-833-425-2445. The line is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM EST. You can also register online at accessoap.ca.
As of December 10, 2025, Ontario Autism Coalition materials summarizing Freedom of Information data reported 88,175 children registered in the Ontario Autism Program, 20,666 enrolled in Core Clinical Services, and 20,666 with an active Core Funding Agreement. The public record supports a large backlog, but this page does not assign a province-wide average wait in years.
For AccessOAP registration, you need: 1) Your child's Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card, 2) Formal autism diagnosis report from a qualified professional, 3) Proof of Ontario residence, 4) Parent or guardian identification. Upload documents as PDFs for faster processing.
AccessOAP accepts autism diagnoses from: registered psychologists, psychological associates, physicians (including psychiatrists and developmental pediatricians). Private assessments cost $2,500-$4,000 but are faster (1-3 months) compared to public OHIP-covered assessments (12-24 months wait).
After AccessOAP registration, your child is added to the Ontario Autism Program registry. AccessOAP contacts families when the next program step is available. While waiting, families may still be able to access supports such as Foundational Family Services or Entry to School, depending on current program rules and eligibility.
No, AccessOAP and Autism Ontario are different organizations. AccessOAP is the government registration portal for OAP funding. Autism Ontario is a charitable organization providing support groups, workshops, and resources (not funding). Register with AccessOAP for therapy funding; contact Autism Ontario for community support.
Complete guide to OAP funding levels, budgets, and what services are covered.
View GuideCompare AccessOAP, Autism Ontario, Ontario Autism Coalition, and more.
CompareJoin thousands of families advocating for better. Email your MPP and advocate for timely, evidence-based autism services.
Primary Sources
SOURCE
Financial Accountability Office of Ontario • 2024
Primary source for OAP registration counts, core clinical enrollment, and reported funding allocation ranges.
SOURCE
World Health Organization • 2024
WHO guidance emphasizing timely access to early evidence-based psychosocial interventions.
SOURCE
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Official government guide to OAP eligibility, funding, and service pathways.
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.
Verified Facts
88,175, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
23.4%, Only 20,666 children have active funding agreements () — less than one in four
$965M, Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement