Privacy, on your terms.Analytics run by default. Decline any time.
Ontario 2026
Autism therapy, assessment, and support in Niagara Region. Niagara Children's Centre programs, school board resources, and ABA providers.
Direct answer
MCCSS Ontario Autism Program figures, May 13, 2026, obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition under Freedom of Information · Verified 2026-08-10
In brief
Use the verified provincial figures below for OAP scale. Confirm current local services directly with each institution.
Ontario's figures, as of May 2026 (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
Registered
91,974
91,974Children registered
Total registered in the Ontario Autism Program
Funded
20,711
20,711Have active funding
22.5% of registered children
Without active agreement
71,263
71,263Without an active funding agreement
An administrative status; it does not confirm current service delivery.
Figures as of · MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · checked
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Without an active funding agreement | 71,263 |
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)
Niagara Region
The available MCCSS data is provincial, not a Niagara Region estimate. It shows 91,974 children registered with the OAP, 71,263 waiting for a funding agreement, and 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 Niagara Region count.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Provincial OAP registrations | 91,974 | MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 |
| Waiting for a funding agreement | 71,263 | MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 |
| Active funding agreements | 20,711 | MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 |
| Share with active funding | 22.5% | MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 |
Provider availability, OAP participation, intake status, and service areas can change. Search the current AccessOAP provider list, then confirm credentials, pricing, and availability directly with each provider before choosing a service.
Evidence-based therapy endorsed by major medical organizations. Demand in Niagara
ABA therapy uses learning principles to teach skills and reduce challenging behaviors. ABA is an intervention that families can discuss with a qualified clinician.
Request an itemized quote for direct therapy
Ask how program design and oversight are billed
Confirm the full cost before signing a service agreement
Call 1-833-425-2445 or visit AccessOAP.ca.
Search for Niagara Region, Hamilton, and GTA providers.
Check that providers have BCBAs on staff. Verify at BACB.com.
Speech therapy helps children with autism develop communication skills. Niagara Children's Centre and private clinics serve Niagara Region families.
Confirm OAP and insurance eligibility in writing
Occupational therapy helps children with autism develop daily living skills, sensory regulation, and fine motor skills.
Confirm OAP and insurance eligibility in writing
This directory identifies local institutions to contact. Confirm the current assessment pathway, referral criteria, and intake timeline with each organization.
567 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, ON L2T 4E2 · 905-688-1890
Contact Niagara Children's Centre to confirm current autism-related services, eligibility, referral requirements, coverage, and intake status.
Confirm Services · Confirm Coverage · Confirm Intake
3340 Schmon Parkway, Thorold, ON L2V 4Y6 · 905-688-6850
Contact Pathstone Mental Health to confirm its current programs, assessment or referral role, eligibility, coverage, and intake status.
Confirm Services · Confirm Referral Path · Confirm Intake
Private assessment availability, fees, referral rules, and timelines vary. Ask the provider for written details before booking.
Total Cost
Typical Wait
For OAP Funding
Note: Private assessments must be conducted by registered psychologists or qualified physicians to be accepted for OAP funding.
Free membership providing parent workshops, social programs, resource navigation, and advocacy support for Niagara Region families.
Visit Autism OntarioContact Niagara Children's Centre to ask which family-support programs are running now.
Visit Niagara Children's CentreProvides community support services for individuals with developmental disabilities in Niagara Region. Offers respite, recreation, and support programs.
Students identified through an IPRC must have an IEP. Schools can also write an IEP without an IPRC.
Your Rights: Request an IEP meeting in writing. You can ask in writing for an IPRC meeting and an IEP. The Education Act and Regulation 181/98 set the process.
| 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 |
Answers
The source used on this page does not publish a Niagara-specific OAP count. Province-wide, 91,974 children are registered and 71,263 are waiting for a funding agreement as of May 13, 2026.
Contact Niagara Children's Centre and Pathstone Mental Health to confirm their current assessment or referral role, eligibility rules, fees, and intake timelines.
Use the current AccessOAP directory to identify eligible providers and confirm each provider's service area and intake status directly.
Contact Niagara Children's Centre or Pathstone Mental Health directly for an itemized quote — cost depends on the provider, credentials, and program intensity. Confirm OAP and insurance eligibility in writing before starting.
Both DSBN and NCDSB provide:
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
What makes End The Wait Ontario different from other autism resources?
End The Wait Ontario collects Ontario autism waitlist figures in one place. Each figure on this site shows its source and date. The current counts come from MCCSS Ontario Autism Program figures, May 13, 2026, obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition under Freedom of Information; spending figures come from the Financial Accountability Office (FAO). [FOI] Parents and advocates can check the latest figures and the record behind each one. Last verified: 2026-08-10
Source: MCCSS FOI data via Ontario Autism Coalition [OAC] · Open source record
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