The week after your child's autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming. This guide gives you a concrete action plan: what to do today, this week, this month, and while you wait for Ontario autism services.
The week after your child's autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming. This guide gives you a concrete action plan: what to do today, this week, this month, and while you wait for Ontario autism services.
Getting a diagnosis brings mixed emotions — relief at having answers, grief, fear about the future, and urgency. The urgency is real. In Ontario, the early intervention window (ages 0–6) is critical, and the system is slow. Here's exactly what to do, in order of priority.
Ask the assessor for:
Keep at least 3 copies. You'll need this report for: OAP registration, school IEP, disability tax credit, insurance claims, future service applications.
You don't have to do everything today. Your child is the same person they were before the diagnosis. The report is a key that opens doors to support. It's not a sentence.
This is the single most time-sensitive action. Every week you delay is a week added to your wait for core services.
How to register:
Or call the OAP Intake Line: 1-888-444-8830 (Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm)
Expect a confirmation email within 2–3 business days. Your wait time officially starts from your registration date, not the diagnosis date.
See our detailed OAP registration walkthrough →
While waiting for core OAP services (which can take 5+ years), you may be eligible for one-time interim funding of $5,000–$40,000 based on your family income.
Income thresholds (approximate):
| Family Income | Maximum Interim Funding |
|---|---|
| Under $55,000 | $40,000 |
| $55,000–$110,000 | $30,000 |
| $110,000–$165,000 | $20,000 |
| Over $165,000 | $5,000 |
Send them a copy of the diagnostic report. This ensures:
If your child is school-aged (4+), call the school's principal and request:
If your child is pre-school aged, contact your local school board's Early Learning department about JK entry planning.
The Disability Tax Credit is worth $1,500–$3,500+ per year in federal and provincial tax savings. It's also the required gateway to the RDSP.
How to apply:
The retroactive period is 10 years — if your child was diagnosed years ago and you haven't claimed this, you may be owed significant refunds.
Once you have DTC approval, open an RDSP at any major bank. The government contributes:
A child whose RDSP is opened at age 3 and receives maximum grants/bonds could have $250,000+ by age 18 — even with no family contributions.
Review your extended health benefits for:
Submit any claims from the assessment while it's fresh.
While waiting for OAP, private therapy is the main route to services. Costs:
Use interim OAP funding to offset these costs. Prioritize speech and ABA for children under 6.
Ontario schools provide services that do not require OAP registration:
The school services are often underfunded and slow, but they're free and don't require OAP.
Autism Ontario (autismontario.com) has regional chapters across the province. They offer:
Membership is free. The parent-to-parent knowledge sharing is invaluable.
Several services are available right now:
Full guide to services while waiting →
Start a binder (physical or digital) with:
This documentation becomes critical if you ever need to appeal OAP decisions, apply for additional funding, or pursue legal options.
Ontario families have legal rights under:
If you're being denied services or supports your child needs, contact:
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| OAP Intake Line | 1-888-444-8830 |
| ARCH Disability Law | 416-482-8255 |
| Autism Ontario | 416-246-9592 |
| CRA Disability (DTC) | 1-800-959-8281 |
| ServiceOntario (DTC forms) | ontario.ca |
The system is broken. The wait is unconscionable. But you are not alone, and there are concrete steps you can take today to help your child while fighting for systemic change.
Sources: Ontario Autism Program, Canada Revenue Agency, Autism Ontario, ARCH Disability Law Centre.
Getting an autism diagnosis in Ontario can take 2–5 years through the public system. This complete guide covers every option — public, private, and community-based — including costs, timelines, and what happens after you get the report.
Complete guide to registering for the Ontario Autism Program. Learn what documents you need, how to apply, and what to expect after registration.
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