What is the OAP Entry to School Program?

The Entry to School Program is a free, 6-month OAP-funded program for children aged 3-6 entering school. It builds communication, social skills, and classroom routines to prepare children for school success.

Why does OAP funding change at age 6?

OAP Interim One-Time Funding drops from $22,000/year (under 6) to $5,500/year (age 6+) based on the rationale that early intervention is more intensive. This policy is controversial given ongoing needs.

How do I prepare my autistic child for kindergarten in Ontario?

Register for the OAP Entry to School Program, work with your school board on IPRC identification, visit the school beforehand, and coordinate with school staff about supports like Educational Assistants.

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

Age Groups

Autism Services for Preschoolers (3-6 Years) in Ontario: School Readiness Guide

The preschool years are critical for school readiness and intensive intervention. Children in this age range may access the OAP Entry to School Program and begin intensive therapy services during a key developmental window.

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

Preschool (3-6 Years): age range 3-6 years in the Ontario Autism Program.
Key services include ABA Therapy (intensive), Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy.
Province-wide, 76.6% of registered children are still waiting for core clinical services.

Preschool (3-6 Years), Key Facts

3-6 years

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

Developmental Focus: Preschool (3-6 Years)

School readiness skills
Social communication and peer interaction
Emotional regulation
Pre-academic skills
Self-care and independence

OAP Programs Available for Preschool (3-6 Years)

Entry to School Program (ages 3-6)
Interim One-Time Funding ($22,000/year under 6)
Core Clinical Services (when invited)

Critical Considerations for Families

Entry to School Program must be accessed before Grade 1
Intensive ABA (20-40 hrs/week) most impactful during this window
School board identification process should begin now
Funding at age 6 drops from $22,000 to $5,500

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 min Use the Cost Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions, Preschool (3-6 Years)

Frequently Asked Questions

: The Entry to School Program is a free, 6-month OAP-funded program for children aged 3-6 entering school. It builds communication, social skills, and classroom routines to prepare children for school success.

: OAP Interim One-Time Funding drops from $22,000/year (under 6) to $5,500/year (age 6+) based on the rationale that early intervention is more intensive. This policy is controversial given ongoing needs.

: Register for the OAP Entry to School Program, work with your school board on IPRC identification, visit the school beforehand, and coordinate with school staff about supports like Educational Assistants.

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

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

Where do you start?

Choose your path

The quickest routes to diagnosis guidance, evidence, practical support, and advocacy.

Just diagnosed?

First steps after an autism diagnosis

Already waiting?

What to do while on the waitlist

See the data

FOI-backed charts, methods, and evidence

Want change?

Write your MPP in 5 minutes

Verified Facts

Facts cited on this page

Under the Ontario Education Act, every student with special needs is entitled to an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and access to an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)

Gov / Peer-ReviewedGovernment of Ontario (2024)Verified: 2024-01-01

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

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-04-29

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

Gov / Peer-ReviewedPublic Health Agency of Canada (2024)Verified: 2024-03-26

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

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-04-29

$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 methodology View all sourcesNext data update: 2026-05-15

Age Groups

Autism Services for Preschoolers (3-6 Years) in Ontario: School Readiness Guide

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

Source: CBC FOI Jan 2026, FAO Report 2024

Is the Ontario Autism Program underfunded?

Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO]

Quick Summary

Preschool (3-6 Years): age range 3-6 years in the Ontario Autism Program.
Key services include ABA Therapy (intensive), Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy.
Province-wide, 76.6% of registered children are still waiting for core clinical services.

Preschool (3-6 Years), Key Facts

3-6 years

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

Developmental Focus: Preschool (3-6 Years)

School readiness skills
Social communication and peer interaction
Emotional regulation
Pre-academic skills
Self-care and independence

OAP Programs Available for Preschool (3-6 Years)

Entry to School Program (ages 3-6)
Interim One-Time Funding ($22,000/year under 6)
Core Clinical Services (when invited)

Critical Considerations for Families

Entry to School Program must be accessed before Grade 1
Intensive ABA (20-40 hrs/week) most impactful during this window
School board identification process should begin now
Funding at age 6 drops from $22,000 to $5,500

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 min Use the Cost Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions, Preschool (3-6 Years)

Frequently Asked Questions

: The Entry to School Program is a free, 6-month OAP-funded program for children aged 3-6 entering school. It builds communication, social skills, and classroom routines to prepare children for school success.

: OAP Interim One-Time Funding drops from $22,000/year (under 6) to $5,500/year (age 6+) based on the rationale that early intervention is more intensive. This policy is controversial given ongoing needs.

: Register for the OAP Entry to School Program, work with your school board on IPRC identification, visit the school beforehand, and coordinate with school staff about supports like Educational Assistants.

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

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

Where do you start?

Choose your path

The quickest routes to diagnosis guidance, evidence, practical support, and advocacy.

Just diagnosed?

First steps after an autism diagnosis

Already waiting?

What to do while on the waitlist

See the data

FOI-backed charts, methods, and evidence

Want change?

Write your MPP in 5 minutes

Verified Facts

Facts cited on this page

Under the Ontario Education Act, every student with special needs is entitled to an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and access to an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)

Gov / Peer-ReviewedGovernment of Ontario (2024)Verified: 2024-01-01

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

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-04-29

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

Gov / Peer-ReviewedPublic Health Agency of Canada (2024)Verified: 2024-03-26

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

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-04-29

$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 methodology View all sourcesNext data update: 2026-05-15