Autism Services Covered by OHIP in Ontario

What this means for your family

Ask your family doctor for a referral to a developmental pediatrician or child psychiatrist as early as possible, and ask how long the wait is. While that referral sits in a queue, budget separately for a private psychoeducational assessment if you need a diagnosis sooner, since a psychologist's report is not billed through OHIP. Keep every assessment report together in one file, because the Ontario Autism Program needs a written diagnosis (a letter is enough) that includes your child's name and date of birth, the assessment date, a statement that your child meets the criteria for autism, and the professional's name and credentials. Once a diagnosis is in hand, register right away rather than waiting for therapy funding to also be confirmed, since registration itself starts your place in line. For ABA, speech, or occupational therapy in the meantime, expect to pay privately or through workplace insurance until core clinical funding begins.