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The waiting reality
Free supports exist for Ontario autism families right now — no OAP funding required.
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 |
Multiple free supports are available in Ontario without OAP core funding. Foundational Family Services are free and available immediately after OAP registration with no waitlist. Schools must provide IEP accommodations under PPM 140 regardless of funding status. Financial supports include the Disability Tax Credit (~$3,000/year), RDSP (up to $90,000 in lifetime government grants), and SSAH for respite care. Community programs through Autism Ontario, EarlyON centres, and AIDE Canada provide additional free support.
Available immediately after OAP registration. Contact AccessOAP at 1-833-425-2445.
Available through your school board regardless of OAP status.
Verified Facts
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
$965M — Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement
According to the FAO (2020 report), OAP funding covers less than one-third of estimated need at 2018-19 service levels