Can my toddler get autism services without a diagnosis?

Yes. OAP Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs are available for children aged 12-48 months without requiring a formal diagnosis. Contact AccessOAP to register your child.

How early can autism be diagnosed in Ontario?

Autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as 18-24 months by qualified professionals. Public assessment wait times of 18-24 months can delay diagnosis. Private assessments, costing $2,500-$4,000, may be faster.

What is the most important thing to do if I suspect my toddler has autism?

Register with AccessOAP immediately to timestamp your place in line. Then request a developmental assessment and ask about Caregiver-Mediated Programs that do not require a diagnosis.

Age Groups

Autism Services for Toddlers (0-3 Years) in Ontario: Early Intervention Guide

If you suspect autism, ask for an assessment and register for Ontario Autism Program supports as soon as you can. Early help can support communication and social engagement.

Quick Summary

Toddlers (0-3 Years): age range 0-3 years in the Ontario Autism Program.
Key services include Early Intervention Programs, Caregiver-Mediated Early Years, Speech-Language Pathology.
Province-wide, 77.5% of registered children are still waiting for core clinical services.

0-3 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

If you suspect autism, ask for an assessment and register for Ontario Autism Program supports as soon as you can. Early help can support communication and social engagement.

The Toddlers (0-3 Years) Roadmap: Priorities, Programs & Watch-Outs

Developmental focus

Joint attention and social engagement
Early communication and pre-verbal skills
Sensory processing and regulation
Motor development milestones
Play skills and imitation

OAP programs for Toddlers (0-3 Years)

Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs (ages 12-48 months)
Legacy Interim One-Time Funding ($22,000/year under 6; only for registrations before April 1, 2021)

Critical considerations & deadlines

No diagnosis required for Caregiver-Mediated Programs
Diagnostic waits can delay OAP registration
Private assessment recommended to avoid 18-24 month public wait
Evidence supports early, appropriate intervention

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 stands Email Your MPP

Frequently Asked Questions, Toddlers (0-3 Years)

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes. OAP Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs are available for children aged 12-48 months without requiring a formal diagnosis. Contact AccessOAP to register your child.

: Autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as 18-24 months by qualified professionals. Public assessment wait times of 18-24 months can delay diagnosis. Private assessments, costing $2,500-$4,000, may be faster.

: Register with AccessOAP immediately to timestamp your place in line. Then request a developmental assessment and ask about Caregiver-Mediated Programs that do not require a diagnosis.

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

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

The Toddlers (0-3 Years) Roadmap: Priorities, Programs & Watch-Outs

Developmental focus

Joint attention and social engagement
Early communication and pre-verbal skills
Sensory processing and regulation
Motor development milestones
Play skills and imitation

OAP programs for Toddlers (0-3 Years)

Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs (ages 12-48 months)
Legacy Interim One-Time Funding ($22,000/year under 6; only for registrations before April 1, 2021)

Critical considerations & deadlines

No diagnosis required for Caregiver-Mediated Programs
Diagnostic waits can delay OAP registration
Private assessment recommended to avoid 18-24 month public wait
Evidence supports early, appropriate intervention

Frequently Asked Questions, Toddlers (0-3 Years)

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes. OAP Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs are available for children aged 12-48 months without requiring a formal diagnosis. Contact AccessOAP to register your child.

: Autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as 18-24 months by qualified professionals. Public assessment wait times of 18-24 months can delay diagnosis. Private assessments, costing $2,500-$4,000, may be faster.

: Register with AccessOAP immediately to timestamp your place in line. Then request a developmental assessment and ask about Caregiver-Mediated Programs that do not require a diagnosis.

Autism Services for Toddlers (0-3 Years) in Ontario: Early Intervention Guide

Quick Summary

The Toddlers (0-3 Years) Roadmap: Priorities, Programs & Watch-Outs

Developmental focus

OAP programs for Toddlers (0-3 Years)

Critical considerations & deadlines

Where the waitlist stands

Frequently Asked Questions, Toddlers (0-3 Years)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my toddler get autism services without a diagnosis?Yes.

How early can autism be diagnosed in Ontario?Autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as 18-24 months by qualified professionals.

What is the most important thing to do if I suspect my toddler has autism?Register with AccessOAP immediately to timestamp your place in line.

Verified References & Sources

Government Reports & Data

Explore Related Resources

Autism Services for Toddlers (0-3 Years) in Ontario: Early Intervention Guide

Quick Summary

The Toddlers (0-3 Years) Roadmap: Priorities, Programs & Watch-Outs

Developmental focus

OAP programs for Toddlers (0-3 Years)

Critical considerations & deadlines

Where the waitlist stands

Frequently Asked Questions, Toddlers (0-3 Years)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my toddler get autism services without a diagnosis?Yes.

How early can autism be diagnosed in Ontario?Autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as 18-24 months by qualified professionals.

What is the most important thing to do if I suspect my toddler has autism?Register with AccessOAP immediately to timestamp your place in line.

Verified References & Sources

Government Reports & Data

Explore Related Resources