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The gap in the data
Ontario's per-child funding is the lowest in Canada, leaving families to cover tens of thousands out of pocket.
Registered
88,175Children registered
Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Funded
20,666Have active funding
Just 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 |
OAP funding typically ranges from $8,000-$22,000 annually, but intensive ABA therapy costs $50,000-$80,000/year.
Ontario per-child spending (~$8K-$12K) is the lowest in Canada. BC provides up to $22,000; Alberta up to $25,000. 67,509 children wait without any OAP funding.
| Province | Annual Funding | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Up to $25,000 | Highest |
| British Columbia | Up to $22,000 | Above Ontario |
| Manitoba | Up to $20,000 | Above Ontario |
| Ontario | ~$8,000-$12,000 | Lowest |
Therapy costs: $50,000-$80,000 for intensive ABA (20-40 hrs/week).
$8K-$22K
Per year (varies by needs)
$50K-$80K
Per year (intensive ABA)
Gap: $28,000-$72,000 annually that families must pay out-of-pocket or reduce services.
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.
APA Style:
End The Wait Ontario. (2026). How Much Autism Funding Does Ontario Provide? Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://www.endthewaitontario.com/answers/autism-funding-ontario-amountsRelated Resources
Verified Facts
$965M, Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27
According to the FAO (2020 report), OAP funding covers less than one-third of estimated need at 2018-19 service levels
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
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement