Direct answer
OAP Foundational Family Services are free group programs (workshops, entry-to-school) available to all registered families immediately. OAP Core Clinical services provide individualized childhood budgets up to $6,600–$65,000/year for evidence-based therapy — but require an invitation. As of early 2026, 77% of the 89,799 registered children (69,166) are still waiting for a Core Clinical invitation.
Start with the short answer, then reveal deeper context where helpful.
OAP Foundational Family Services are available to all families registered with OAP, beginning immediately upon registration. They include: caregiver-mediated early learning programs, family capacity building workshops, entry-to-school transition programs, after-school social skills groups, and caregiver coaching sessions.
OAP Core Clinical services provide an individualized childhood budget — up to $6,600–$65,000/year for children under 6 and up to $6,600–$65,000/year for children aged 6 and older. Families use this budget with an OAP-approved provider to access ABA, SLP, OT, and other evidence-based therapies tailored to their child's behaviour plan.
OAP Foundational Family Services are available to all families registered with OAP, beginning immediately upon registration. They include: caregiver-mediated early learning programs, family capacity building workshops, entry-to-school transition programs, after-school social skills groups, and caregiver coaching sessions.
Foundational services are delivered by regional service providers contracted by MCCSS. Families do not manage a budget — services are provided directly. While valuable, Foundational services are group-based and are not a substitute for the intensive individualized therapy provided through Core Clinical services.
OAP Core Clinical services provide an individualized childhood budget — up to $6,600–$65,000/year for children under 6 and up to $6,600–$65,000/year for children aged 6 and older. Families use this budget with an OAP-approved provider to access ABA, SLP, OT, and other evidence-based therapies tailored to their child's behaviour plan.
Core Clinical access requires an OAP invitation, which currently involves an average wait of 5+ years. Of the 89,799 children registered with OAP, only 20,633 (23%) are receiving Core Clinical services. The remaining 69,166 (77%) are in the Foundational tier pending their invitation.
MCCSS
Ontario Autism Program: Core Clinical and Foundational Services Framework (2024)
FOI
CBC News Freedom of Information Request, OAP bi-weekly progress report (January 7, 2026)
Understand the difference between OAP core clinical services (childhood budgets up to $63K) and foundational family services available while waiting.
Ontario Autism Program core clinical funding: up to $65,000/year. Ranges vary by age band and support level, from $6,600 to $65,000 annually.
Registration means your child is enrolled with OAP. Waitlist means you are registered but waiting for a Core Clinical invitation. 69,166 children are registered but not yet receiving Core 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.
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate