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end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics and advocacy. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

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end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics and advocacy. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

Getting Started

  • Browse All Pages
  • Search
  • Diagnosis Guide
  • While You Wait
  • Facts (Citation Ready)

Common Questions

  • All Questions
  • How Long Is the Wait?
  • What Is the OAP?
  • How Many Are Waiting?
  • Options While Waiting
  • Funding Amounts

Tools

  • Parent Navigator
  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker

Providers

  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider

Funding & Support

  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP

Your Region

  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton
  • London
  • Mississauga
  • All Regions

Evidence & Data

  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
  • Waitlist Data
  • Cost Calculator
  • Data Stories
  • Where Does the Money Go?

Take Action

  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit

About

  • Our Story
  • Transparency
  • Media References
  • Founder
  • Press
  • Contact
end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics and advocacy. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

  • Browse All Pages
  • Search
  • Diagnosis Guide
  • While You Wait
  • Facts (Citation Ready)
  • All Questions
  • How Long Is the Wait?
  • What Is the OAP?
  • How Many Are Waiting?
  • Options While Waiting
  • Funding Amounts
  • Parent Navigator
  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker
  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider
  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP
  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton
  • London
  • Mississauga
  • All Regions
  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
  • Waitlist Data
  • Cost Calculator
  • Data Stories
  • Where Does the Money Go?
  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit
  • Our Story
  • Transparency
  • Media References
  • Founder
  • Press
  • Contact

Legal Disclaimer: This website presents advocacy arguments based on publicly available data and legal frameworks. While we strive for accuracy, this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Nothing on this website should be construed as a guarantee of any specific legal outcome.

Independence: End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led advocacy group. We are not affiliated with the Ontario government, the Ontario Autism Coalition, Autism Ontario, or the World Health Organization. We cite FOI data obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition as a matter of public record. This does not constitute affiliation. References to these organizations are for informational purposes; no endorsement is implied.

Non-partisan policy advocacy: We advocate on policy outcomes for children and families and do not endorse any political party or candidate.

Statistics are current as of the dates cited and may change. For specific legal guidance, consult a licensed attorney. For medical advice, consult qualified healthcare professionals. Last updated: 2026.

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Speak softly and carry a big stick. — Theodore Roosevelt

Carroll v. Ontario · HRTO 2025-62264-I · our own pending, unadjudicated application

© 2026 End The Wait Ontario. All rights reserved. · Parent-led advocacy · Not a government agency

  1. Home
  2. ›Autism Diagnosis Mississauga
A quiet Mississauga park at golden-hour sunset
MISSISSAUGA & PEEL REGION

Autism Diagnosis in Mississauga

Navigating the diagnostic system in Peel Region. Accessing OHIP-covered assessments at ErinoakKids or finding a private clinic.

18-24 Months

ErinoakKids Wait

Per ErinoakKids 2024 intake data

$2,500-$4,000

Private Cost

3-8 Weeks

Private Wait

Quick Summary

  • Autism diagnosis in Mississauga: ErinoakKids
  • Private clinics & costs. Current wait times.

The regional reality

Access to diagnosis varies by region. The waitlist doesn't.

Registered

89,79989,799

Children registered

Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue

MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Funded

20,63320,633

Have active funding

Only 23% of registered children

MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Waiting

69,16669,166

Still waiting

Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.

MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Verified June 13, 2026 , MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Share these numbers
Ontario Autism Program key statistics (MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026, verified 2026-06-13)
MetricValue
Children registered89,799
Have active funding20,633
Still waiting69,166
OHIP-COVERED ASSESSMENT

ErinoakKids: The Public Diagnostic Provider

ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment

ErinoakKids is Ontario's largest children's treatment centre, serving Mississauga, Brampton, and the broader Peel Region. They are the primary hub for OHIP-covered autism diagnostic services in the area.

Mississauga Main Site

1230 Central Pkwy W, Mississauga, ON L5C 0A4

Referral Based

A physician or pediatrician referral is necessary to get on the waitlist.

Wait Times in Peel

Peel Region has one of the highest concentrations of children waiting for OAP services. The diagnostic waitlist at ErinoakKids typically exceeds 1.5 years.

Estimated Wait
18–24 Months
Visit ErinoakKids Website
PRIVATE ASSESSMENT

Private Clinics in Mississauga

To skip the 2-year wait, many Mississauga families opt for private assessment. This allows you to register with the OAP and start your "seniority clock" immediately.

Avg Cost in Peel

$3,200

Standard for a full clinical psychological assessment including ADOS-2 testing.

Wait Time

3-8 Weeks

Most local clinics book appointments within 1-2 months of initial contact.

Mississauga FAQ

Mississauga is served by the Peel District School Board (PDSB) and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB). Both require a formal diagnostic report to initiate Special Education (ISRC) supports.

Most major corporate health plans in Ontario include some coverage for "Registered Psychology services." We recommend checking if your plan covers between $1,500 and $3,000 for dependents.

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.

Take Action

Help End the Wait

Connect with autism service providers and support networks near you.

Write to Your MPPShare Your Story

Verified References & Sources

Updated: Mar 2026

Government Reports & Data

  • [2023]
    Exclusion of Students With Disabilities — 2023 SurveyVerified FAO Data
    Community Living Ontario • Report • 2023-10-01
    View
  • [2024]
    Inclusion Without Proper Support Is AbandonmentVerified FAO Data
    Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario • Report • 2024-06-01
    View
  • [2020]
    Autism ServicesVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2020-07-21
    View
  • [2024]
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan ReviewVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2024-06-05
    View
  • [2026]
    MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports (FOI release CSS2026-0749)Verified FAO Data
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario) • Report • 2026-03-04
    View

Last reviewed: March 2026

  • MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports (FOI release CSS2026-0749). Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario) (March 2026)
  • Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan Review (2024). Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (2024)

Related Resources

  • Diagnosis Hub
  • Services in Mississauga
  • Private Assessment Guide
About This Article

Written by Spencer Carroll

Founder & Autism Advocate

Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system

Evidence 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.

Facts6
Sources5

Evidence supports autism screening and intervention commencing in the first 2 years of life — earlier identification directly enables earlier intervention during the highest neural plasticity window

Government / peer-reviewedZwaigenbaum L, Bauman ML, Stone WL, et al. (2015)Verified 2015-10-01

1 in 50

According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis

Government / peer-reviewedPublic Health Agency of Canada (2024)Verified 2024-03-26

WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement

Government / peer-reviewedWorld Health Organization (2023)Verified 2023-11-15

89,799

children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program

Secondary sourceMCCSS FOI · Mar 2026Verified 2026-06-13

23%

Only 20,633 children have active funding agreements — less than one in four

Secondary sourceMCCSS FOI · Mar 2026Verified 2026-06-13

$965M

Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27

Government / peer-reviewedGovernment of Ontario, Ministry of Finance (2026)Verified 2026-03-26
Last system verification: 2026-06-13. Next scheduled update: 2026-09-10.
View methodologyBrowse every source