1 in 50
According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about 1 in 50 children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis
Overlapping traits do not tell you the diagnosis on their own.
Autism and ADHD can share features, and people can have both. A qualified clinician considers development, daily functioning, history, and other possible explanations before making an assessment or treatment recommendation.
World Health Organization, Autism Spectrum Disorders Fact Sheet · Ontario Autism Program: Your guide to the OAP · Verified 2026-08-10
Medical Disclaimer
This page provides general information about autism and related therapies for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Every child is unique—consult qualified healthcare professionals (pediatricians, developmental pediatricians, BCBAs) to determine appropriate interventions for your child's specific needs.
Getting a Dual Diagnosis in Ontario
Public (OHIP) Route
CostFree ($0)
Wait TimeAsk the provider
Covers BothYes (if requested)
Request dual assessment upfront. Hospital-based programs can evaluate both conditions simultaneously.
Private Route
CostAsk the provider
Wait TimeAsk the provider
Covers BothYes (specify at booking)
Specify you want both conditions assessed when booking. Tax deductible as medical expense.
How to Tell Autism and ADHD Apart (and When Both Are Present)
Comparison table; scroll horizontally to view all columns.
| Area | Autism | ADHD | Both (Dual) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attention | Intense focus on interests, difficulty shifting | Difficulty sustaining focus, easily distracted | Hyperfocus on interests AND distractible elsewhere | World Health Organization fact sheet; qualified clinician assessment |
| Social | Difficulty reading social cues, preference for routine | Impulsive in social settings, interrupting | Misreads cues AND blurts out inappropriately | World Health Organization fact sheet; qualified clinician assessment |
| Movement | Stimming (repetitive motions for regulation) | Hyperactivity, fidgeting, restlessness | Both stimming AND hyperactive movement | World Health Organization fact sheet; qualified clinician assessment |
| Executive Function | Rigid thinking, difficulty with transitions | Poor planning, time blindness, disorganization | Rigidity about plans that are poorly organized | World Health Organization fact sheet; qualified clinician assessment |
| Sensory | Over/under sensitivity (sound, texture, light) | Sensory seeking, needs stimulation | Complex sensory profile, avoidant AND seeking | World Health Organization fact sheet; qualified clinician assessment |
When to Escalate Beyond a Standard Assessment
Overlapping symptoms can mask a safety concern that needs urgent attention rather than a routine wait-list referral. Contact a physician, walk-in mental health clinic, or emergency department promptly if a child or adult shows self-harm, threats of harm to others, a sudden change in behaviour after starting ADHD medication, or a mental health crisis. These situations should not wait for a scheduled dual-diagnosis assessment.
OAP Funding for Autism + ADHD
What OAP Covers for Dual Diagnosis
- ABA therapy adapted for ADHD co-occurrence
- Occupational therapy for executive function and sensory needs
- Speech-language pathology
- Social skills groups for neurodivergent children
- Parent/caregiver training for managing both conditions
What OAP Does NOT Cover
- -ADHD medication costs
- -Psychiatrist visits solely for ADHD medication management
- -ADHD-only therapy without autism-related goals
Pro Tip: Maximize Your Funding
When completing the OAP Determination of Need assessment, ensure the clinician documents both autism and ADHD impacts on daily functioning. Dual diagnosis typically qualifies for higher funding categories (up to $65,000/year for highest needs) because it demonstrates greater clinical complexity.
Source: Ontario Autism Program: Your guide to the OAP · Verified 2026-08-10.
Frequently Asked Questions: Autism and ADHD in Ontario
Frequently Asked Questions: Autism and ADHD in Ontario
Autism and ADHD can occur together. A qualified clinician can assess whether both are present. The OAP covers services when autism is the primary diagnosis.
Yes. OAP Core Clinical Services funding ($6,600–$65,000/year) can fund services addressing both autism and ADHD symptoms, including behavioural therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills groups. The key requirement is that your child has an autism diagnosis on file with the OAP. ADHD-specific prescription drug coverage may be available through OHIP+ or a private plan. Source: Ontario Autism Program: Your guide to the OAP. Verified 2026-08-10.
Dual assessments are available through developmental pediatricians, clinical psychologists, and hospital-based autism programs. Major centres include Holland Bloorview (Toronto), CHEO (Ottawa), and McMaster Children's Hospital (Hamilton). Private clinics can evaluate both conditions. Ask about the cost and what an assessment includes before booking.
Stimulant medications (Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse) and non-stimulants (Strattera, Intuniv) are commonly prescribed for ADHD symptoms in autistic children. Research shows they can be effective but may have different side effect profiles. Autistic children may be more sensitive to medication effects. Always work with a physician experienced in neurodevelopmental conditions.
Autism primarily involves differences in social communication and restricted/repetitive behaviours. ADHD involves inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Overlap symptoms include difficulty with executive function, sensory sensitivities, and social challenges. A qualified clinician can distinguish between the two and identify when both are present.
Adult dual diagnosis assessment may be available through CAMH (Toronto), private psychologists, and psychiatrists specializing in neurodevelopmental conditions. Ask providers about assessment scope, cost, and availability.
An ADHD diagnosis does not reduce autism services. In fact, a dual diagnosis can strengthen your case for higher-level OAP funding because it demonstrates greater clinical complexity. The Determination of Need assessment considers all co-occurring conditions when setting Core Clinical Services funding amounts. Document both diagnoses when registering with AccessOAP.
Evidence-based approaches for dual diagnosis include: (1) Combined behavioural therapy (ABA adapted for ADHD co-occurrence), (2) Occupational therapy for executive function and sensory needs, (3) Social skills groups designed for neurodivergent children, (4) Parent training in strategies for both conditions, and (5) ADHD medication managed by a developmental pediatrician alongside autism-specific therapies.
Your child's health
Where the waitlist stands
Families navigating autism services in Ontario face a documented multi-year wait. Here is the Ontario data — and a two-minute way to push back, when you are ready.
Evidence for this guide
- Autism Spectrum Disorders Fact Sheet. World Health Organization (2024)
- Ontario Autism Program: Your guide to the OAP. Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
- Ontario Autism Coalition FOI update on Ontario Autism Program registrations and funding. Ontario Autism Coalition (December 10, 2025)
Related guides
Guides and tools related to this page.
Sources on this page
The source chain stays visible.
Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.
Facts3
Sources2
91,974
children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism. Timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement
Last system verification: 2026-08-10. Next scheduled update: 2026-11-05.
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