New here? Start with our 2-minute guide to OAP registration , no sign-up required.
Ontario 2026
Comprehensive guide to autism therapy, access, and support in Peel Region. Find ErinoakKids programs and ABA providers.
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 |
The available MCCSS FOI data is provincial, not a municipal estimate. It shows 91,974 children registered with the OAP, 71,263 waiting for funding, and only 22.5% with an active funding agreement as of May 13, 2026.
Provincial OAP registration and funding-agreement totals: MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026. The source does not publish a Mississauga-specific count.
Mississauga ABA therapy providers include Kinark Child and Family Services, Geneva Centre for Autism, several private Peel Region clinics, and Surrey Place (for some age groups). OAP-funded ABA requires waiting for an invitation and completing a Needs-Based Assessment. Private fees vary by provider and service plan; request an itemized written quote before committing.
Evidence-based therapy endorsed by major medical organizations. Demand in Peel Region far exceeds supply. See our guide to ABA therapy in Ontario for what to expect.
ABA therapy uses learning principles to teach skills and reduce challenging behaviors. ABA is a widely recognized evidence-based intervention supported by major medical organizations and widely available throughout Peel Region.
Ask which clinician provides each service and how time is billed
Ask whether assessment, program design, and oversight are separate charges
Compare the written quote with your funding agreement and insurance coverage
Call 1-833-425-2445 or visit AccessOAP.ca. Peel Region families are served by central intake.
Only OAP-registered providers can accept your funding. Search for Mississauga, Brampton, and GTA providers.
Check that providers have Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) on staff. Verify credentials at BACB.com.
Speech-language pathology and occupational therapy services in Mississauga are available through ErinoakKids, Kinark Child and Family Services, and private clinics. These therapies develop communication, motor skills, and self-regulation essential for development.
Speech therapy helps children with autism develop communication skills, including verbal language, alternative communication (AAC), and social communication. ErinoakKids and private clinics offer comprehensive SLP services.
Ask the provider and insurer to confirm coverage before treatment begins
Occupational therapy helps children with autism develop daily living skills, sensory regulation, fine motor skills, and independence. ErinoakKids is a major provider of OT services in Peel Region.
Ask the provider and insurer to confirm coverage before treatment begins
Public and private assessment pathways are available in and around Mississauga. Timelines, eligibility, referral requirements, and fees change, so confirm the current details directly with each provider before choosing a pathway.
ErinoakKids provides autism diagnostic, therapy, and family-support services. Confirm current programs, referral requirements, coverage, and availability directly with the centre.
Confirm coverage · Confirm referral requirements · Confirm availability
Contact Trillium Health Partners to confirm its current developmental-service pathways, referral requirements, coverage, and availability.
Confirm service pathway · Confirm coverage · Confirm referral requirements
Provides mental health and developmental services for children and youth in Peel Region. Offers counseling, therapy, and support programs for families navigating autism diagnosis and treatment.
Mental Health Support · Family Counseling · Community Programs
Private assessment may be another pathway. Before booking, verify the assessor's regulated credentials, ask whether the resulting documentation is accepted for OAP registration, and obtain the current timeline and total fee in writing.
Current fee
Current timeline
OAP documentation
Note: Private assessments must be conducted by registered psychologists or qualified physicians to be accepted for OAP funding.
Peel Region families access support through Autism Ontario, ErinoakKids family services, Peel Children's Centre, Community Living Mississauga respite programs, and school board accommodations. Many supports complement OAP services.
Free membership providing parent workshops, social programs, resource navigation, and advocacy support for families throughout Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon.
Beyond assessment and therapy, ErinoakKids offers comprehensive family support including parent training, sibling programs, respite information, and connections to community resources.
Provides support services for individuals with developmental disabilities including autism. Offers respite, recreation programs, employment support, and advocacy throughout Peel Region.
Students with autism in Peel Region are entitled to Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and accommodations through their school board, regardless of OAP funding status.
Your Rights: Request an IEP meeting in writing. Schools must provide reasonable accommodations including EA support, sensory breaks, and modified curriculum.
Families in Mississauga and Peel Region look for autism summer camps and summer programs each year, including day camps, integrated recreation, and respite-based options. Availability, ages served, and registration windows vary by program and fill quickly, so confirm dates and eligibility directly with each provider before the season.
Autism Ontario's Peel Chapter and ErinoakKids family services are common starting points for recreation and program information in the region. For a province-wide overview of camp types, what to ask, and how funding may apply, see our guide to autism summer camps in Ontario.
The four steps below apply across Peel Region. For full eligibility and assessment details, read our complete OAP funding guide.
You need an official autism diagnosis from a registered psychologist, psychological associate, or qualified physician (pediatrician, developmental pediatrician, or psychiatrist).
Free (OHIP covered)
Confirm current wait
ErinoakKids, Trillium Health Partners
Request a written quote
Confirm current wait
Private psychologists in Mississauga/GTA
AccessOAP is the single entry point for all OAP services in Ontario. Peel Region families register through the central system. Register as soon as you receive your diagnosis - every day counts for your spot in line.
Call to register or get help
Mon-Fri, 8:30am - 5:00pm ET
Important: Your place in line is based on your registration date, not your diagnosis date. Register immediately to minimize wait time.
While waiting for funding, research and contact OAP-registered providers in Mississauga and Peel Region. You'll choose your own providers when funding becomes available.
Peel Region Reality: Current wait times for Core Clinical Services funding are 5-7+ years. New registrants (post-April 2021) do not qualify for interim funding, and regular OAP funding is not retroactive.
While waiting for OAP funding, consider:
When your name reaches the top of the waitlist, AccessOAP will contact you to arrange funding. You'll receive approximately $10,492/year on average for Core Clinical Services (2026-27 Budget).
$10,492/year
Needs-based, varies by child
Request quote
Fees vary by service plan
Before signing: compare the itemized provider quote with the services authorized in your funding agreement. Ask both the provider and AccessOAP to confirm eligible expenses in writing.
The cited MCCSS FOI series reports Ontario-wide totals rather than a Mississauga count. Provincially, 91,974 children are registered, 71,263 are waiting for funding, and 22.5% have an active funding agreement as of May 13, 2026.
ErinoakKids provides diagnostic, therapy, and family-support services in Peel Region. Contact the centre to confirm its current autism programs, referral requirements, coverage, OAP participation, and wait time.
Yes, you can use any OAP-registered provider in Ontario, including Toronto-based providers. Many Mississauga families choose Toronto or Oakville providers for more options. However, consider travel time and whether providers charge travel fees. Some providers offer virtual supervision to reduce costs.
There is no verified rate table on this page that supports a Mississauga-to- Toronto price comparison. Compare providers using the same questions:
Both PDSB (Peel District School Board) and DPCDSB (Dufferin-Peel Catholic) provide special education services:
Contact your school's principal or special education resource teacher to request an IEP meeting.
Peel Region has a strong network of autism services due to ErinoakKids' presence and proximity to Toronto. However, demand still far exceeds supply. Peel families benefit from access to both local providers (Mississauga, Brampton) and nearby options in Toronto, Oakville, and Burlington. The challenge remains long wait times and funding gaps, similar to the rest of Ontario.
10,000+ children in Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon are affected by autism, with thousands facing 5-7+ year waits for services. Join us in advocating for immediate action from provincial officials.
Related Resources
What are autism wait times in Mississauga?
VerifiedMississauga and Peel Region have some of the longest absolute waitlists due to rapid population growth. ErinoakKids is the primary service provider, but with over 10,000 children waiting in the region, families wait 5+ years for funded entry.
Source: CBC FOI Jan 2026 & Family Reports · Verify Link
What autism services does ErinoakKids provide?
VerifiedErinoakKids is Ontario's largest children's treatment centre, serving Mississauga, Brampton, and Oakville. They provide OAP Core Clinical Services, assessment, and foundational services. Due to volume, their internal waitlists can be substantial even after receiving OAP funding.
Source: ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development · Verify Link
Why is the autism waitlist so long in Peel Region?
VerifiedPeel Region (Mississauga/Brampton) has experienced explosive population growth that OAP funding allocations have not matched. The region has a high density of young families, creating a severe bottleneck for both school-based and clinical autism services.
Source: Peel Regional Council Health Reports
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
Next steps & sources
Direct action pathways, primary source data, and contextual verification.
Founder & Autism Advocate