In crisis right now? Call or text 988 (mental health crisis) or 911 (immediate physical danger)
Free · 24/7 · Canada-wide
Emergency Resources
Crisis SupportAutism crises happen. Knowing what to do in advance — who to call, how to de-escalate, what to tell first responders — can make all the difference when it matters most. This guide covers Ontario-specific resources, step-by-step crisis response, and how to build a safety plan before you need it.
The human cost of waiting
Caregiver burnout is one outcome of a system that forces families to wait years for support.
Registered
88,175Children registered
Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Funded
20,666Have active funding
Just 23.4% of registered children
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Waiting
67,509Still waiting
Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Verified — CBC FOI Jan 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 88,175 |
| Have active funding | 20,666 |
| Still waiting | 67,509 |
Save these numbers in your phone before a crisis happens. Know which number to call for which situation.
988
Call or text 988 for mental health crisis, emotional distress, or suicidal thoughts. Free, 24/7, Canada-wide.
How to use:
Call or text anytime. Tell them you are the parent of an autistic child in crisis.
911
Call 911 when there is immediate physical danger — serious self-injury, bolting into traffic, or violence that cannot be safely managed.
How to use:
Tell dispatcher immediately: "My child is autistic." This triggers autism protocols.
Local CMH
Most Ontario regions have a 24/7 children's mental health crisis line. Find yours through Children's Mental Health Ontario.
How to use:
Visit crisiscall.ca or call your regional Children's Mental Health Centre directly.
Crisis situations are more common than many families expect — and are directly linked to inadequate community supports.
30-40%
of autism families report experiencing a mental health crisis in the past year
3-7x
higher rate of emergency department visits for autistic children vs. neurotypical peers
988
launched November 2023 — now the fastest path to crisis support in Canada
5+ yrs
average OAP waitlist — families face crises without adequate behavioural support
103+
Children's Mental Health Ontario member agencies with crisis services across the province
70%
of autistic individuals experience co-occurring anxiety — a major crisis driver
The response to each situation is different. Confusing the two can result in calling emergency services unnecessarily — or not calling when you should.
A neurological overload response. The child loses control — not deliberately. It is not a behaviour choice.
A situation involving serious risk of harm that cannot be safely managed at home by family alone.
Follow these steps in order. Stay calm — your regulated nervous system is one of the most powerful de-escalation tools you have.
Remove sharp objects, clear space around the child, and make sure bystanders step back. If the child is in a dangerous location (near traffic, stairs), calmly and quietly guide them to safety. Do not restrain unless there is immediate serious injury risk.
Turn off TVs, music, and bright lights. Ask others to leave the room. Speak in a calm, low, flat tone. Avoid asking questions or giving verbal instructions — language processing is impaired during a meltdown. Create quiet.
Your nervous system regulates theirs. Slow your breathing. Avoid eye contact if it increases distress. Stay nearby but not hovering. Do not try to reason, explain consequences, or discuss what happened during the meltdown — wait until they are calm.
Once the intensity begins to decrease, offer preferred comfort items — a weighted blanket, headphones, a favourite object. Follow your child's lead. Some children want physical comfort; others need space first. Let them set the pace.
Call 988 if you or your child is experiencing suicidal thoughts. Call your local children's mental health crisis line if the situation is escalating beyond your ability to manage safely. Call 911 only if there is imminent risk of serious physical harm that cannot be otherwise managed.
Emergency rooms are designed for efficiency — not sensory comfort. These strategies can reduce trauma and improve care for your autistic child in an ER setting.
Ontario Hospital Initiative
Many Ontario hospitals have implemented autism-specific emergency protocols following advocacy from Autism Ontario and families. Holland Bloorview, SickKids, CHEO, and McMaster Children's Hospital have dedicated teams trained in autism communication and sensory needs. If your local ER lacks these protocols, Autism Ontario can connect you with advocacy resources.
Ontario has crisis services in every region. Find the ones closest to you and save them in your phone before a crisis happens.
A safety plan created when you are calm is your most important crisis tool. Complete each section below, print it, and share it with your child's school, therapists, and anyone providing regular care.
Section 1
Full name, date of birth, autism diagnosis date, primary physician's name and contact.
Section 2
How does your child communicate? (verbal, AAC device, PECS, sign language). Note the device model and what vocabulary they can reliably access under stress.
Section 3
List the top 3-5 triggers for your child. Include sensory triggers (sounds, textures, lights) and situational triggers (transitions, unexpected changes, specific people).
Section 4
What does distress look like before a full meltdown? (hand-flapping increase, echolalia, pacing, covering ears, specific vocalisations). Document your child's unique signs.
Section 5
What works for your child? (weighted blanket, specific music, outdoor space, quiet room, preferred fidget). List 3-5 strategies in order of most effective.
Section 6
Medications (name, dose, frequency, prescribing doctor). Allergies. Physical health conditions. Preferred approach by police/EMS if they need to interact with your child.
Where to Get Safety Planning Help
Your local CMHA chapter and Children's Mental Health Ontario member agency can provide professional safety planning support at no cost to families. Many Ontario children's mental health centres offer single-session safety planning appointments without a waitlist. Autism Ontario chapters also facilitate safety planning workshops through their family support programs.
Crisis prevention begins with understanding what drives the crisis. Most autism crises are predictable and preventable when adequate supports are in place.
Keep a crisis diary for 2-4 weeks. Note the time, location, what preceded the crisis, and how it resolved. Patterns almost always emerge. Share the diary with your child's behaviour therapist or psychologist.
OAP Foundational Family Services offers free behaviour management workshops — no waitlist. A Behaviour Therapist can help identify antecedents and build a Positive Behaviour Support Plan specifically for your child.
Many crises are driven by communication frustration. AAC tools, visual supports, and PECS reduce this frustration by giving children a reliable way to express needs before they escalate.
Parent and caregiver mental health is a crisis prevention factor. When caregivers are regulated, children are more likely to regulate. Access support through 988, your own physician, or CMHA's mental health services.
Ontario's Special Services at Home (SSAH) program funds respite workers. Access respite before reaching your limit, not after. Your regional DSO office can help you apply.
Funded programs available to Ontario families. Application is required for most ongoing services, but crisis lines and emergency supports are available immediately.
Call or text 988 anytime. Free, 24/7, bilingual. For suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or mental health crises.
Call 1-866-797-0000 to speak with a registered nurse 24/7. Free health advice including mental health guidance.
Each region has its own 24/7 crisis line through CMHO member agencies. Find yours at cmho.org.
Find crisis services in your area at crisisservicescanada.ca — the most comprehensive national crisis directory.
Funding for respite workers and behaviour support. Apply through your regional DSO. Can fund emergency respite during crises.
Free behaviour management training and workshops — no waitlist. Helps prevent crises through proactive support.
Regulated mental health services for children. Waitlists exist for ongoing therapy but crisis services are immediate.
Free cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression — available to parents and caregivers too.
Autism families across Ontario face these challenges every day — often without the professional support they need because the OAP waitlist stretches 5+ years. There are community resources available right now.
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.
Related Resources
Verified Facts
88,175 — children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
According to the FAO (2020 report), OAP funding covers less than one-third of estimated need at 2018-19 service levels
$965M — Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27
23.4% — Only 20,666 children have active funding agreements () — less than one in four
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement