Indigenous Autism Services in Ontario
Direct answer
Jordan's Principle is a human rights principle for First Nations children. It is intended to prevent service gaps, delays, or denials connected to First Nations identity. Families may submit requests for health, social, and educational products, services, or supports through Indigenous Services Canada, and there is no fee to access the request process.
Key facts
What this means for your family
Get written approval before you spend your own money on a service you hope will be reimbursed, since Indigenous Services Canada reviews each request case by case and an earlier approval for someone else, or even for your own child previously, does not guarantee this particular request will be approved. Call the dedicated Jordan's Principle line when you are ready to start, since a parent or guardian can ask directly and there is no fee to submit a request. Describe the actual need clearly, whether it is speech therapy, equipment, an education-related support or a mental health service, since those are the kinds of requests the process is built to consider. Keep a copy of whatever is submitted and any reference number you receive, so you can follow up if you do not hear back within a reasonable time. Do not assume a request already approved will automatically renew without asking again.
The numbers behind this answer
Every answer on this site sits on the same verified counts. These are the current figures.
Ontario's figures, as of May 2026 (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
Registered
91,974Children registered
Total registered in the Ontario Autism Program
Funded
20,711Have active funding
22.5% of registered children
Without active agreement
71,263Without an active funding agreement
An administrative status; it does not confirm current service delivery.
Show as table
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Without an active funding agreement | 71,263 |
About This Article
Published:
Last updated:
What Jordan's Principle does
- Indigenous Services Canada describes Jordan's Principle as a human rights principle shaped by Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decisions. Its purpose is to prevent First Nations children from encountering gaps, delays, or denials in access to government services because of their First Nations identity.
- Government of Canada information says Jordan's Principle supports First Nations children living in Canada and can help with health, social, and educational needs. Official examples include speech therapy, medical equipment, educational supports, and mental health supports.
Submitting a request
- A parent or guardian may ask Indigenous Services Canada to consider a product, service, or support. Each new request is reviewed case by case, and a previous approval does not guarantee that another request will be approved or renewed.
- Obtain written approval before committing funds. There is no fee to access Jordan's Principle. The contact number is 1-855-JP-CHILD, or 1-855-572-4453, and the line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Frequently asked questions
Government of Canada sources describe health, social, and educational needs. Official examples include speech therapy, medical equipment, educational supports, and mental health supports. Approval is not automatic; every new request is considered case by case.
No. Indigenous Services Canada says there is no fee for First Nations children to access Jordan's Principle. Families can call 1-855-JP-CHILD, or 1-855-572-4453, at any time of day.
Do not rely on an earlier approval or assume a new request will be accepted. Indigenous Services Canada says each new request is considered case by case and advises obtaining written approval before committing funds.
Sources
Jordan's Principle overview, purpose, free access, and contact information.
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Official statement on case-by-case review and obtaining written approval before committing funds.
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Current child health and wellness page describing the purpose of Jordan's Principle.
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Current Indigenous benefits page describing who Jordan's Principle supports and the scope of needs.
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Current life-events page confirming the Jordan's Principle contact number and 24-hour availability.
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Official Jordan's Principle eligibility announcement and examples of supported products and services.
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Next step near you
Where to be assessed near you
- TorontoHolland Bloorview
- OttawaCHEO
- MississaugaErinoakKids (Mississauga Facility)
- BramptonErinoakKids (Brampton)
- North YorkHolland Bloorview (referral)
- ScarboroughSickKids (referral)
See every Ontario city we track
Assessment routes, local providers and school boards are tracked city by city. Pick the one closest to you.
Where the wait clock starts
A child's place in the Ontario Autism Program queue is set by the AccessOAP registration date. 71,263 children are registered and still waiting for core funding (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
Next steps
Keep going with related guidance, tools, and evidence.
Related questions
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Rural Ontario families face fewer providers, longer travel, and reduced therapy hours. Learn about the rural-urban autism service gap and available solutions.
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