How to Open an RDSP for an Autistic Child in Ontario
Direct answer
An autistic child in Ontario qualifies for a Registered Disability Savings Plan once approved for the Disability Tax Credit. The federal government adds Canada Disability Savings Grant matching plus a Canada Disability Savings Bond, with CRA-set maximums, up to $90,000 in lifetime contributions per child. It is tax-deferred, with a $200,000 lifetime cap.
- Annual matching grant (max)
- $3,500
- Annual bond (max, income-tested)
- $1,000
- Lifetime government contribution (max)
- $90,000
Key facts
- Annual matching grant (max)
- $3,500
- Annual bond (max, income-tested)
- $1,000
- Lifetime government contribution (max)
- $90,000
- Lifetime personal contribution (max)
- $200,000
- Best deadline for full benefit
- Open before age 49
What this means for your family
Apply for the Disability Tax Credit before you do anything else, since no RDSP can open, and no grant or bond can be claimed, without that approval in hand first. Ask a few financial institutions how they handle RDSP paperwork before you pick one, since service and investment options differ even though the government rules are the same everywhere. Make a first contribution as soon as the plan opens, even a small one, since a contribution is what triggers matching for that calendar year rather than an empty account sitting untouched. Set a personal reminder well before your child reaches an age where new contributions can no longer draw the full match, since waiting too long can quietly shrink the total your family receives. Ask the financial institution directly whether past years can be backdated, since missed years are sometimes still claimable once the Disability Tax Credit is approved.
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Eligibility for an autistic child
To open an RDSP for an autistic child in Ontario, the child must (1) be approved for the federal Disability Tax Credit (DTC) - autism is generally eligible if it markedly restricts mental functions, daily living activities, or requires life-sustaining therapy; (2) be under 60 years old; (3) be a Canadian resident; (4) have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). The parent or legal guardian opens the plan as the "Holder" until the beneficiary reaches age of majority.
The DTC is the gateway: without it, no RDSP, no matching grants, no bond. Application is via CRA Form T2201 (Disability Tax Credit Certificate), completed jointly with a qualified medical practitioner. Approval commonly takes several months. Once approved, you can backdate up to 10 years of contribution-matching potential.
How the matching works
The Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG) matches what your family puts in, and it matches early contributions most generously at lower family incomes. The grant can add up to $3,500 a year.
The Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) is income-tested and needs no family contribution at all. Lower-income families get the bond automatically, up to $1,000 a year. It is the single most valuable benefit for a lower-income autistic family. The income thresholds that phase it out are set by the CRA.
Grants and bonds together are capped at $90,000 over a beneficiary's lifetime. The CRA publishes the current matching rates, income thresholds and caps at canada.ca/rdsp.
Step-by-step setup
Step 1: Apply for the Disability Tax Credit if not already approved (CRA Form T2201). Step 2: Choose an RDSP-eligible financial institution - most major Canadian banks, credit unions, and online brokers offer RDSPs (BMO, RBC, TD, Scotiabank, CIBC, Tangerine, Questrade, others). Step 3: Open the RDSP, naming the autistic child as beneficiary. The Holder is typically a parent for minors. Step 4: Make a first contribution (any amount; even a small first contribution triggers matching). Step 5: Apply for matching grant and bond using the financial institution's forms.
Important: contributions made before December 31 each year count toward that calendar year's grant/bond. There is no minimum contribution needed for the bond (it is automatic if income criteria are met).
Coordination with ODSP
RDSPs do NOT count as assets for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) eligibility. Money in an RDSP does not reduce ODSP benefits. Withdrawals from an RDSP also do not count as income for ODSP purposes. This makes the RDSP one of the most powerful financial planning tools for autistic adults receiving or expected to receive ODSP.
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 |
Frequently asked questions
Not automatically - but autism is among the most commonly approved DTC categories. A qualified medical practitioner (typically a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or psychiatrist) completes Form T2201 confirming that autism markedly restricts the child in at least one of the eligible categories (mental functions, speech, daily living, etc.). Approval rates for autistic children are high when the application clearly describes day-to-day impacts.
Yes. Lower-income families receive an annual Canada Disability Savings Bond automatically (income thresholds set by the CRA) - with NO family contribution required. This is the single most under-utilized benefit available to lower-income autistic families in Canada. Open the RDSP at any major bank, even with $0 contribution.
At age 18, the RDSP "Holder" role transitions. If your child has legal capacity, they become the Holder themselves. If not, a parent, guardian, or qualifying family member can continue as Holder. Plans should be reviewed at age 18 - many families also explore supported decision-making arrangements alongside the RDSP transition.
RDSP withdrawals are intended for retirement/long-term financial security, not current expenses. Withdrawals before age 60 trigger repayment of recent grants and bonds. The RDSP is a complement to - not a substitute for - current-need supports like the Canada Disability Benefit, ACSD, ODSP, and (eventually) OAP funding. Treat it as a long-term safety net.
Sources
CRA
Canada Revenue Agency - Registered Disability Savings Plan (canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/rdsp.html)
ESDC
Employment and Social Development Canada - Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond program rules
PLAN
Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network - RDSP Resource Guide (plan.ca)
Next steps
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