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end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led advocacy organization. We publish FOI-verified data on the Ontario Autism Program waitlist and push for evidence-based reform. Built for Ontario families, researchers, and journalists.

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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.

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Speak softly and carry a big stick.·The data is the stick.·Follow the data. Demand the standard.

Founded by the family behind Carroll v. Ontario, a human-rights case about autism wait times (HRTO 2025-62264-I, not yet decided).

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

Preparing age group page
Age Groups

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

For preschoolers, check Entry to School eligibility and contact the school board early. Keep therapy goals practical: communication, routines, self-care, and school readiness.

  1. Home
  2. ›Age Groups
  3. ›Preschool (3-6 Years)
  1. 0-3 years
  2. All Ages
  3. 3-6 years
  4. 6-12 years
  5. 12-18 years
  6. 18+ years

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, 77.5% of registered children are still waiting for core clinical services.
3-6 years
Age Range
Ontario Autism Program
77.5%
Province-wide waitlist
MCCSS Ontario Autism Program figures as of May 13, 2026, released in response to an Ontario Autism Coalition Freedom of Information request and published by the OAC in July 2026; part of the same bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress-report series as FOI release CSS2026-0749 (to Mar 4, 2026) and the CBC News FOI investigation (Jun 2024 – Jan 2026).
5+ years
Average OAP wait time
OAC Community Survey 2025
91,974
Registered province-wide
MCCSS Ontario Autism Program figures as of May 13, 2026, released in response to an Ontario Autism Coalition Freedom of Information request and published by the OAC in July 2026; part of the same bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress-report series as FOI release CSS2026-0749 (to Mar 4, 2026) and the CBC News FOI investigation (Jun 2024 – Jan 2026).

For preschoolers, check Entry to School eligibility and contact the school board early. Keep therapy goals practical: communication, routines, self-care, and school readiness.

The Preschool (3-6 Years) Roadmap: Priorities, Programs & Watch-Outs

Developmental focus

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

OAP programs for Preschool (3-6 Years)

  • Entry to School Program (ages 3-6)
  • Legacy Interim One-Time Funding ($22,000/year under 6; only for registrations before April 1, 2021)
  • Core Clinical Services (when invited)

Critical considerations & deadlines

  • 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
  • Legacy interim funding at age 6 drops from $22,000 to $5,500

Next transition

Preschool (3-6 Years) → School-Age Children (6-12 Years)

Planning ahead matters: school-age children (6-12 years) covers 6-12 years, with its own programs and deadlines. Review it before your child ages out of 3-6 years.

See the School-Age Children (6-12 Years) roadmap

Next Steps

Where the waitlist stands

Families navigating autism services in Ontario face a documented multi-year wait. Here is the Ontario data — and a two-minute way to push back, when you are ready.

See where the waitlist standsEmail Your MPP

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.

The $22,000/year under-6 and $5,500/year age-6+ amounts belong to legacy Interim One-Time Funding for children registered before April 1, 2021. They are not the general current Core Clinical Services pathway.

Register for Entry to School. Work with your school board on Identification, Placement, and Review Committee identification. Visit the school and ask about supports like Educational Assistants.

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 • 2024-06-05
    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

Explore Related Resources

Related Resources

  • Toddlers (0-3 Years)

    Autism services and supports for 0-3 years

  • School-Age Children (6-12 Years)

    Autism services and supports for 6-12 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

Related Resources

  • Entry to School Program
  • Education Hub
  • Services by Age
Citable source facts(2)Question-and-answer pairs with their source and verification link.

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

Verified

As of May 13, 2026, 91,974 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program. However, only 20,711 (22.5%) have an active Core Funding Agreement. This represents ~300% growth in registrations since 2019, with 71,263 children still waiting for essential funding.

Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · Mar 2026, FAO Report 2024 · Verify Link

Is the Ontario Autism Program underfunded?

Verified

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. This gap is the primary driver of the perpetual 91,974+ child waitlist.

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

About This Article

Written by Spencer Carroll

Founder & Autism Advocate

Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system