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Oshawa is in Durham Region, where families face the same reported wait as the rest of Ontario: 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026). This guide covers autism service option available to Durham Region families.
Direct answer
MCCSS Ontario Autism Program figures, May 13, 2026, obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition under Freedom of Information · Verified 2026-08-10
OAP registration and funding figures are provincial. Local figures are not published.
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)
In brief
Start here in Oshawa
OAC community-reported invitation cohort: August 2021 (Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026 (reported from community intake)). Verified 2026-08-10.
Invitations are reported to be reaching families registered in August 2021 (Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026 (reported from community intake)). Provincially, 91,974 children are registered and 22.5% have an active funding agreement as of May 13, 2026 (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026). Durham Region's provider availability and intake status can change, so confirm current details directly with each organization.
The DDSB provides IEP development, Educational Assistant (EA) support, the Identification Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) process, and referrals to school-based speech-language and occupational therapy. Contact your school's Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) to initiate an IPRC meeting and begin the formal identification process.
Special Education Rights GuideThe Catholic board offers equivalent special education programming under the Ontario Education Act, including IEP, EA support, and the IPRC process. Both boards are legally required to accommodate autistic students through appropriate educational programming and placement decisions.
Free drop-in programs across Durham Region for children 0-6 and their caregivers. Multiple Oshawa locations.
Caregiver education, sibling support, and family navigation services.
Housing, respite, and community participation funding for adults with developmental disabilities including autism.
Residential and day program support for adults in Oshawa and Clarington.
Autism research partnerships and occasional community assessment collaborations in Durham Region.
Invitations are reported to be reaching families registered in August 2021 (Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026 (reported from community intake)). Province-wide, 91,974 children are registered in OAP and 22.5% have an active funding agreement as of May 13, 2026 (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
Ask Grandview Kids, Lakeridge Health, and psychologists listed in the College of Psychologists of Ontario directory about current assessment pathways, referral requirements, fees, and intake dates.
Contact Grandview Kids, Kinark Child and Family Services, Kerry’s Place, or private BCBA practitioners to confirm current services, eligibility, fees, and intake dates.
Grandview Kids is Durham Region's designated children's treatment centre. Services include autism assessment and diagnosis, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, ABA therapy, and family support programs. Grandview Kids is an OAP-approved service provider. Wait times for publicly funded services are significant, families are advised to register early and explore private options while waiting.
The Durham District School Board (DDSB) and Durham Catholic District School Board both provide special education support for autistic students. Services include Individual Education Plan (IEP) development, Educational Assistant support, Identification Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) process, and referrals to school-based speech and occupational therapy. Contact your school's Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) to initiate the IPRC process.
Adult autism services in Durham Region include Developmental Services Ontario, Community Living Oshawa/Clarington, Kerry’s Place, and ODSP. Contact each organization to confirm current services and eligibility.
Register through AccessOAP (accessoap.ca) or call 1-833-425-2445. The process is the same across Ontario: (1) Obtain an autism diagnosis from a qualified professional, psychologist, psychiatrist, or pediatrician. (2) Register on AccessOAP with your diagnosis report. (3) Complete a Determination of Need assessment with an OAP-authorized assessor. (4) Wait for a funding invitation. Grandview Kids and Kinark can assist with the registration process for Durham Region families.
Community resources in Oshawa and Durham Region include: Autism Ontario Durham Region chapter (events, workshops, family meetups), Community Living Oshawa/Clarington, EarlyON Child and Family Centres across Durham (free programming for children 0-6), and Kerry's Place family support programs. Ontario Tech University also collaborates with community partners on autism research and awareness initiatives.
Don't wait to take action. Register for OAP, explore private assessment options in Durham Region, and connect with local support.
Last reviewed: August 2026
How long do families wait for Ontario autism services?
The reported wait for OAP Core Clinical Services funding is 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026). The FOI data does not contain a government-published average. Pending verification: Editorial review not recorded. Excluded from citation-ready exports.
Source: Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026 · Open source record
What percentage of registered children receive autism services in Ontario?
Of 91,974 children registered in the Ontario Autism Program (May 13, 2026), 22.5% have active Core Funding Agreements. This is an administrative measure and does not establish service receipt; approximately 77.5% have no active agreement.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · 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