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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

Preparing age group page
Siblings & Community
Age Groups

Autism Sibling & Community Support in Ontario

Support systems for siblings and the broader community to foster understanding, inclusion, and long-term support networks for autistic individuals.

How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?

As of January 2026, **88,175 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program**. [FOI] However, only **20,666 (23.4%)** have an active Core Funding Agreement. This represents approximately 285% growth in the waitlist since 2019, with over 67,000 children still waiting for essential funding.

Source: CBC FOI Jan 2026, FAO Report 2024

Is the Ontario Autism Program underfunded?

Yes. The Financial Accountability Office (FAO) determined that **$1.35 billion annually** is needed to serve all registered children at 2018-19 service levels. The 2026-27 Ontario Budget allocated **$965 million**, leaving an estimated **$385M+ annual shortfall**. [FAO, Ontario Budget 2026] This gap is the primary driver of the perpetual 88,175+ child waitlist.

Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO]

Quick Summary

  • Siblings & Community: age range All Ages in the Ontario Autism Program.
  • Key services include Sibling Support Groups, Community Living Ontario, Family Support Networks.
  • Province-wide, 76.6% of registered children are still waiting for core clinical services.
  1. Home
  2. ›Age Groups
  3. ›Siblings & Community

Siblings & Community, Key Facts

All Ages

Age Range

Ontario Autism Program

76.6% waiting

Province-wide waitlist

OAP bi-weekly progress report (Jan 7, 2026) obtained via FOI by CBC News

5+ years

Average OAP wait time

OAC Community Survey 2025

88,175

Registered province-wide

OAP bi-weekly progress report (Jan 7, 2026) obtained via FOI by CBC News

Support systems for siblings and the broader community to foster understanding, inclusion, and long-term support networks for autistic individuals.

Developmental Focus: Siblings & Community

  • Sibling relationships and support
  • Peer inclusion in community settings
  • Long-term future planning
  • Community education and awareness

OAP Programs Available for Siblings & Community

  • Foundational Family Services

Critical Considerations for Families

  • Siblings often require their own dedicated support
  • Inclusion benefits the whole community
  • Future planning is a lifelong process

Next Steps

Every Voice Matters. Every Letter Counts.

Join thousands of Ontario families advocating for evidence-based reforms to autism services.

Email Your MPP — 2 minUse the Cost Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions, Siblings & Community

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, programs like "Sibshops" and foundational family services through OAP provide dedicated spaces for siblings to connect and share experiences.

Explore Related Resources

Verified References & Sources

Updated: Mar 2026

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 • 2024-02-29
    View
  • [2025]
    Ontario Autism Coalition FOI update on Ontario Autism Program registrations and fundingVerified FAO Data
    Ontario Autism Coalition • Report • 2025-12-10
    View

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

  • Toddlers (0-3 Years)

    Autism services and supports for 0-3 years

  • Preschool (3-6 Years)

    Autism services and supports for 3-6 years

  • School-Age Children (6-12 Years)

    Autism services and supports for 6-12 years

  • Teens (12-18 Years)

    Autism services and supports for 12-18 years

  • Adults (18+ Years)

    Autism services and supports for 18+ years

  • ABA Therapy Ontario

    Costs, coverage & access

  • OAP Waitlist Tracker

    Province-wide numbers

  • What To Do While Waiting

    Resources & interim supports

  • Diagnosis Guide

    How to get an autism diagnosis in Ontario

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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

$965M, Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27

Gov / Peer-ReviewedGovernment of Ontario, Ministry of Finance (2026)Verified: 2026-03-26
View our methodologyView all sourcesNext data update: 2026-07-28