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Direct answer
This detail is not published because a current claim-level program, tax, insurance, clinical, or cost source has not been confirmed. Use the official sources listed on this page and confirm the current eligibility rule, amount, timing, or service status with the administering program or a qualified adviser before acting.
Every answer on this site sits on the same verified counts. These are the current figures.
Published:
This detail is not published because a current claim-level program, tax, insurance, clinical, or cost source has not been confirmed. Use the official sources listed on this page and confirm the current eligibility rule, amount, timing, or service status with the administering program or a qualified adviser before acting.
This detail is not published because a current claim-level program, tax, insurance, clinical, or cost source has not been confirmed. Use the official sources listed on this page and confirm the current eligibility rule, amount, timing, or service status with the administering program or a qualified adviser before acting.
This detail is not published because a current claim-level program, tax, insurance, clinical, or cost source has not been confirmed. Use the official sources listed on this page and confirm the current eligibility rule, amount, timing, or service status with the administering program or a qualified adviser before acting.
This detail is not published because a current claim-level program, tax, insurance, clinical, or cost source has not been confirmed. Use the official sources listed on this page and confirm the current eligibility rule, amount, timing, or service status with the administering program or a qualified adviser before acting.
CRA
Eligible Medical Expenses - Income Tax Act, Section 118.2 (2025)
Local route
Assessment routes, local providers and school boards are tracked city by city. Pick the one closest to you.
The clock
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).
Whether you can combine the federal Disability Tax Credit with OAP funding is under source review — confirm with the CRA and AccessOAP.
Whether OAP core clinical funding covers ABA therapy, and at what amount, is under source review — confirm coverage with AccessOAP.
Private ABA therapy in Ontario is commonly quoted at roughly 50-80 dollars an hour (RBT) and 120-200 dollars an hour (BCBA). Full intensive programs are commonly quoted at 50,000-80,000 dollars a year. See the cost breakdown.
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.
Next Steps
These statistics represent real children missing their critical developmental windows.
Related Resources
How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?
VerifiedAs 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
How long do families wait for Ontario autism services?
VerifiedOntario autism wait times for core clinical services now exceed 5+ years (Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026). Funding invitations are currently reaching families who registered in August 2021 (Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026 (reported from community intake)). This delay far exceeds the sensitive early intervention window recommended by developmental specialists.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · Mar 2026, FAO Report 2024 · Verify Link
Is the Ontario Autism Program underfunded?
VerifiedYes. 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
Registered
91,97491,974Children registered
Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue
MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
Funded
20,71120,711Have active funding
Only 22.5% of registered children
MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
Waiting
71,26371,263Still waiting
Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.
MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
Verified , MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Still waiting | 71,263 |