Direct answer
The OAP Determination of Needs (DON) assessment is a structured 2–6 hour intake conversation between your family and an AccessOAP assessor that determines your child's annual Core Clinical Funding amount. After it is complete, AccessOAP issues a Core Funding Agreement within 4–12 weeks. Preparation directly affects how accurately your child's needs are captured.
Autism diagnosis letter — the original diagnostic report from your developmental paediatrician, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Confirms eligibility.
Current IEP or IPRC documentation — shows what supports your child currently has at school.
Reports from current or previous private therapists — ABA, OT, SLP, psychology, physiotherapy. Include progress reports if available.
Medical records relevant to development — hearing/vision tests, sleep studies, genetic testing, neurology consults. Include any co-occurring conditions (ADHD, anxiety, epilepsy, GI issues).
Written list of current needs — be specific: "needs visual schedule for transitions" rather than "needs help with transitions". Communication, daily living, behaviour, learning, social.
List of current supports — school EAs, family help, respite providers, community programs. Helps the assessor understand the gap.
Communication: How does your child communicate when they want something? When they are upset? Can they follow multi-step directions?
Daily living: Walk me through a typical morning. Does your child dress themselves? Brush teeth? Use the toilet independently?
Behaviour and sensory: Tell me about behaviours that get in the way. What helps when your child is dysregulated? Sensory sensitivities or seeking?
Current supports and goals: What therapy or supports does your child have right now? What has worked? What are your top three goals for the next 12 months?
Plan for longer than you think. Many parents report 4–6 hour assessments. Consider splitting into 2–3 shorter sessions to keep the conversation focused.
Write down specific examples in advance. Concrete is better than general — "He had three meltdowns yesterday" beats "He has meltdowns at transitions".
Bring a partner or support person if possible. One parent answers, the other takes notes.
Be honest about hard days. Funding decisions are made on need. Painting a rosier picture than reality leads to less funding than your child actually requires.
AccessOAP compiles the assessor's notes into a Determination of Needs report.
Within 4–12 weeks, you receive a Core Funding Agreement specifying annual amount and approved service categories.
Once funding is in place, you can book OAP-eligible providers. Keep all receipts, invoices, and progress reports for annual reconciliation.
AccessOAP
OAP needs assessment process — 1-833-425-2445
Parent reports
Tier 3 — Aggregated from parent accounts in public community forums
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.
How long do families wait for Ontario autism services?
Ontario 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
What are OAP Foundational Family Services?
Foundational Family Services (FFS) are free OAP supports available without a waitlist, including parent workshops, coaching, and resource navigation. While valuable for learning strategies, FFS does NOT include direct therapy for children—families still face multi-year waits for Core Clinical Services that address skill development.
Source: Ontario Autism Program · Verify Link
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate