Autism Services You Can Access Right Now While Waiting for OAP

Autism Services You Can Access Right Now While Waiting for OAP

There is no government-published average wait for OAP core services. Some families report waits of 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026). That is years of your child's early development — the most critical window for intervention — passing while you wait for a phone call.

You don't have to do nothing. Here's every service, program, and support available to your child right now, without OAP core services approval.

OAP Foundational Family Services (No Wait Required)

Every family registered with OAP — even those at the very bottom of the core services waitlist — can access Foundational Family Services (FFS) immediately.

These include:

• Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs (CMEYP): Parent-led intervention programs backed by evidence
• Family Support Services: Navigation, coaching, and family workshops
• Caregiver Education: Workshops on ABA principles, communication strategies, and behaviour support
• Skills-Based Workshops: Social skills groups for children
• Community Participation Supports: Funded activities in community settings

How to access: Contact your regional service provider after OAP registration. Your regional provider will reach out within weeks of registration.

These are not intensive ABA — but they are real, evidence-based supports you can use right now.

Interim One-Time Funding (Check Eligibility)

The OAP Childhood Budget is a closed program; applications are no longer accepted (ontario.ca). Interim one-time funding is only for children registered before April 1, 2021 (ontario.ca). Contact AccessOAP (1-833-425-2445) to confirm current eligibility. If eligible, it can be used for:

• Private ABA therapy
• Private speech therapy
• Private OT
• Respite care
• Equipment (communication devices, sensory tools)
• Parent training

Apply at: AccessOAP.ca or call 1-833-425-2445 after registering

School-Based Supports (No OAP Required)

If your child is school-aged (or entering JK), these services are free through the school board:

Special Education Services

• IEP (Individual Education Plan): Legal document outlining accommodations and goals
• Educational Assistant (EA): One-on-one support for students with high needs
• Resource Room access: Smaller group instruction
• Behaviour Support Teacher: Strategies for managing challenging behaviours

Related Professional Services

• School Board SLP: Get on the school board speech-language pathology waitlist now (separate from OAP)
• OT consultation: School OTs provide sensory assessments and classroom modifications
• Behaviour Consultants: Available through school boards, provide teacher training

How to access: Contact your school principal. Request an IPRC (Identification, Placement and Review Committee) meeting. An IEP must be developed if your child is identified as exceptional.

Early Childhood Programs (Ages 0–6)

Several publicly funded programs serve autistic children before school age, with no OAP core services required:

Surrey Place (Toronto & GTA)

Free early intervention programs for children 0–6. Services include assessment, family coaching, and group programs. Surrey Place also operates as an OAP service provider.

• surreyplace.ca | 416-925-5141

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (Toronto)

Provides specialized outpatient services. Also runs research programs that families can participate in at no cost.

• hollandbloorview.ca | 416-425-6220

Regional Children's Treatment Centres

Each region has a children's treatment centre that provides early intervention, speech, OT, and physiotherapy. Wait times are shorter than OAP for many specific services:

Contact your regional centre directly. Many have a universal intake process.

EarlyON Child and Family Centres

Free programs in every community across Ontario. While not autism-specific, they provide developmental monitoring, parent-child programming, and connections to community resources.

• Find yours: ontario.ca/earlyon

Community Programs and Organizations

Autism Ontario

Free membership. Regional chapters offer:

• Parent support groups
• Workshops and education
• Sibling support programs
• Social groups for autistic children
• Navigation support (connect with other parents who know the system)
• autismontario.com | 416-246-9592

Kerry's Place Autism Services

Ontario's largest autism service organization, providing community supports across the province without requiring OAP core services:

• Behavioural support
• Community living supports
• Employment programs
• Family support
• kerrysplace.org

Geneva Centre for Autism (Toronto)

Year-round programs, camps, social skills groups, and family support. Some programs are subsidized.

• genevacentre.ca | 416-322-7877

Ontario Autism Coalition

Parent advocacy organization. Provides navigation, support, and community connection.

• ontarioautismcoalition.com

Mental Health Services

Autism frequently co-occurs with anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. These services don't require OAP:

Pediatric Mental Health

• Your regional hospital's mental health programs: Most have dedicated child and youth mental health departments
• Children's Mental Health Ontario: Provides navigation to member agencies — CMHO.ca
• ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (24/7 mental health referral line)
• Ontario Structured Psychotherapy: Free CBT-based therapy for anxiety and depression (some locations accept children)

Respite Care

Caregiver Support Programs

• Respite Services: Available through Community Living and Developmental Services Ontario affiliates
• Caregiver Respite Fund: Through some regional children's treatment centres
• Kerry's Place respite programs: Available in many communities

Summer Programs

• Many autism-specific summer camps operate in Ontario at subsidized rates
• Autism Ontario maintains a camps and recreation directory

Telehealth and Online Resources

Particularly valuable for families in rural or remote Ontario:

• Autism Speaks Canada: Online courses and resources for families
• EarlyBird Programs: Intensive parent training (delivered online)
• Holland Bloorview's online resources: Research-based education for parents
• ABACUS (ABA Connect Us): Online parent training in ABA principles

Government Benefits (No Wait)

While not therapy, these financial supports are available immediately:

1. Disability Tax Credit: Apply immediately — up to $3,500/year in tax savings
2. RDSP: Open after DTC approval — government contributes up to $3,500/year
3. Child Disability Benefit: Monthly payments from CRA with DTC approval
4. Special Services at Home (SSAH): Ministry funding for children with disabilities

Summary: What You Can Do This Week

You can use these services while waiting for OAP core funding.

Sources: Ontario Autism Program, Autism Ontario, Kerry's Place Autism Services, Surrey Place, Children's Mental Health Ontario.