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Comprehensive guide to autism therapy, assessment, and support in Markham and York Region. Kerry's Place, Kinark, and ABA providers.
Provider Intake
Assessment Availability
Provincial Funding Wait
Local services exist, but they serve a fraction of the children registered provincially.
Registered
91,97491,974Children registered
Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue
MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
Funded
20,71120,711Have active funding
Only 22.5% of registered children
MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
Waiting
71,26371,263Still waiting
Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.
MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
Verified , MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Still waiting | 71,263 |
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.
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.
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. Private ABA commonly costs roughly $60,000–$80,000 annually (rates vary; confirm with providers).
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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 →
8 of 11 Regions at crisis level
Thousands of children in Markham, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill face 5-7+ year waits. Join us in advocating for immediate action.
SOURCE
Financial Accountability Office of Ontario • 2024
Primary source for OAP registration counts, core clinical enrollment, and reported funding allocation ranges.
SOURCE
World Health Organization • 2024
WHO guidance emphasizing timely access to early evidence-based psychosocial interventions.
SOURCE
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Official government guide to OAP eligibility, funding, and service pathways.
Take Action
Ontario families assembled this evidence from the government’s own records. Put it to work.
Related Resources
How much does ABA therapy cost in Ontario?
VerifiedABA therapy in Ontario costs $50-$150 per hour depending on provider credentials. Monthly costs for intensive programs (20-40 hours/week) range from $4,000 to $24,000. OAP funding covers a portion, but families typically face significant out-of-pocket expenses during the sensitive early intervention period.
Source: Ontario Provider Fee Schedules & FAO 2020 Report · Verify Link
How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?
VerifiedAs 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 · Mar 2026, FAO Report 2024 · Verify Link
How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist?
VerifiedLatest FOI data shows 91,974 children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program (May 2026), while only 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. The Ontario Autism Coalition reported in July 2026 that some families in its community had waited more than five years. That report is not a province-wide average. Last verified: 2026-08-10
Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO] & FOI Data · Verify Link
What makes End The Wait Ontario different from other autism resources?
VerifiedEnd The Wait Ontario analyzes Ontario's autism waitlist crisis using verified program data from Freedom of Information requests filed by the Ontario Autism Coalition (Dec 2025) and CBC News (Jan 2026), and the FAO. [FOI] Because this platform aggregates ministry and watchdog figures in one place, parents and advocates can monitor the crisis in real time and hold decision‑makers accountable. Last verified: 2026-08-10
Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO] & FOI Data · Verify Link
Why is there such a long waitlist?
VerifiedFAO spending‑plan reviews show that, even as 91,974 children are registered in the OAP (May 2026), only 22.5% have active funding agreements. [FOI] This structural underfunding creates a permanent backlog: each year, more children join the waitlist than transition into therapy.
Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO] & FOI Data · Verify Link
Evidence 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