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Markham & York Region
Autism therapy, assessment, and support in Markham and York Region. Kerry's Place, Kinark, and ABA providers.
Provider Intake
Assessment Availability
Provincial Funding Wait
Direct answer
MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · Verified August 2026
In brief
Waitlist figures as of · reviewed
Sources: FAO Report 2023-24 (Financial Accountability Office of Ontario) · 2026 Ontario Budget (tabled March 26, 2026) · CBC News FOI investigation — bi-weekly OAP progress reports, Jun 2024 – Jan 2026, published Mar 30, 2026 (Nicole Brockbank & Angelina King) · MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports, Dec 10, 2025 – Mar 4, 2026, obtained under Freedom of Information (release CSS2026-0749) · MCCSS Ontario Autism Program figures as of May 13, 2026, released under Freedom of Information to the Ontario Autism Coalition and published in the OAC "OAP At A Glance" update, July 2026 (ontarioautismcoalition.com)
Current
Provider Intake
Confirm
Assessment Availability
71,263
Provincial Funding Wait
Find certified ABA providers in York Region
Speech-language pathology services
Diagnosis through Kinark & more
Community resources and respite
What provincial data can and cannot tell Markham families
Can tell you
Ontario-wide, 91,974 children are registered with the OAP and 71,263 are waiting for core clinical services funding (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
Cannot tell you
Ontario does not publish a current Markham or York Region-specific OAP waitlist count. Confirm current intake directly with each provider.
York Region
Ontario does not publish a current Markham-specific OAP waitlist count. The verified provincial record shows 91,974 children registered with the OAP and 71,263 waiting for core clinical services funding.
Provincial totals from MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026. They must not be presented as a Markham or York Region estimate.
ABA therapy
Markham and York Region ABA providers include Kerry's Place Autism Services, Kinark Child and Family Services, and private clinics in the Markham-Unionville and Richmond Hill areas. The region has growing demand from its large and expanding population. OAP-contracted services require registration and waitlist invitation. Ask providers for written estimates based on the services and hours your child needs.
Kerry's Place and Kinark are leading providers in York Region.
ABA therapy uses learning principles to teach skills and reduce challenging behaviors. Available through multiple providers in York Region.
Ask for the current rate and minimum session length
Confirm whether supervision, assessments, and reports are billed separately
Include travel, materials, cancellation, and reassessment fees
Call 1-833-425-2445 or visit AccessOAP.ca.
Search for Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, and GTA providers.
Verify BCBAs at BACB.com.
Therapy services
Speech-language pathology and occupational therapy services in Markham are available through Kinark Child and Family Services, Kerry's Place, and private clinics. These therapies develop communication and motor skills essential for school and daily functioning.
Speech therapy helps children with autism develop communication skills. Kinark and private clinics serve Markham families.
Request a written quote and check OAP or insurance eligibility
OT helps children with autism develop daily living skills, sensory regulation, and fine motor skills. Kinark and private clinics serve York Region.
Request a written quote and check OAP or insurance eligibility
Assessment
Kinark Child and Family Services and Markham Stouffville Hospital serve York Region families.
One of Canada's largest autism service providers. Offers residential programs, day programs, ABA therapy, respite care, and community support throughout York Region for all ages.
All Ages · Residential · OAP Provider
Comprehensive autism assessment, ABA therapy, and family support. Major OAP-registered service provider.
Assessment · ABA Therapy · OAP Provider
Part of Oak Valley Health, provides developmental pediatrics and autism assessment. OHIP-covered referrals from family doctors.
OHIP Covered · Referral Required
Private assessments may be available in Markham and the GTA. Confirm current intake, clinician qualifications, report requirements, and the total fee.
Confirm total cost
Confirm availability
For OAP Funding
Support
Free membership: parent workshops, social programs, resource navigation for families in Markham, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill.
Visit Autism OntarioRespite care, parent training, adult day programs, employment support, and community integration for families in York Region.
Visit Kerry's PlaceProvincial entry point for adult developmental services, including for adults with autism transitioning from children's services.
IEPs and accommodations through YRDSB (public) and YCDSB (Catholic).
Your Rights: Request an IEP meeting in writing. Schools must provide reasonable accommodations.
Answers
Ontario does not publish a current Markham-specific OAP waitlist count. The provincial totals above describe Ontario as a whole, not a Markham or York Region estimate.
One of Canada's largest autism service providers. Residential programs, ABA, respite, employment support for all ages across York Region.
Yes, any OAP-registered provider in Ontario. Many Markham families access providers in Toronto, Richmond Hill, or Vaughan.
Rates vary. Request itemized written quotes for therapy and assessment, and verify clinician credentials, supervision, included reports, and all fees.
YRDSB and YCDSB provide IEPs, EAs, SLP, OT, and specialized autism classrooms.
Next steps
OAP funding
Understanding the Ontario Autism Program funding process for York Region families.
Registered Province-wide
Current verified OAP registration total
Waiting Province-wide
For core clinical services funding
Budget Per Child
2026–27 budget analysis figure
Through Kinark Child and Family Services, Markham Stouffville Hospital, or a private registered psychologist. Confirm public referral requirements and current intake; obtain a complete written quote from private clinicians.
Call 1-833-425-2445 or visit accessoap.ca immediately after diagnosis. Every day counts for your position on the waitlist.
Only OAP-registered providers can accept your funding. York Region has many options across Markham, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill. Verify BCBA credentials at bacb.com.
Keep AccessOAP contact details current and retain copies of notices and submissions. The sources used here do not establish a York Region-specific wait time.
School support
Two school boards serve Markham families with autism-specific accommodations.
Ontario's third-largest school board provides comprehensive special education services including Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Educational Assistants, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and autism-specific classrooms.
Your Rights: Request an IPRC meeting in writing with your school principal. Schools must provide reasonable accommodations regardless of OAP funding status.
Similar special education services through the Catholic board. Both boards are required under the Ontario Education Act to accommodate students with autism through appropriate educational programming.
Key Services: IEPs, EA support, speech-language pathology, OT, assistive technology, and transition planning.
Chapter 2
A Province Divided ›
6 of 11 Regions at crisis level
Reported wait: 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026).
| Date | Record | Publisher | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024Government source | MCCSS Spending Plan Review (2023-24) | Financial Accountability Office of Ontario | Government source |
| 2024Government source | Autism Spectrum Disorders (fact sheet) | World Health Organization | Government source |
| Government source | Ontario Autism Program: Your guide to the OAP | Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services | Government source |
How much does ABA therapy cost in Ontario?
Private ABA fees in Ontario vary by provider, credentials, setting and intensity. Ask for a complete written quote. OAP Core Clinical Services may fund eligible services after a funding invitation ($6,600–$65,000/year).
Source: Ontario Autism Program: guidelines for core clinical services and supports · Open source record
How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?
As of May 13, 2026, 91,974 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program. However, only 20,711 (22.5%) have an active Core Funding Agreement. This represents ~300% growth in registrations since 2019, with 71,263 children still waiting for essential funding.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · Open source record
How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist?
Latest FOI data shows 91,974 children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program (May 2026), while 22.5% have active funding agreements. [FOI] An active funding agreement does not mean a child is receiving services; it is an administrative status distinct from service delivery. Some families report waits of 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026). That report is not a province-wide average. Last verified: 2026-08-10
Source: MCCSS FOI data via Ontario Autism Coalition [OAC] · Open source record
Guides and tools related to this page.
Sources on this page
Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.
91,974
children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
22.5%
Only 20,711 children have active funding agreements (22.5%), less than one in four
$965M
Ontario allocated $965M to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27
Check the author’s context, review method, and how to report an error.
Founder & Autism Advocate
Lived experience: Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system