Skip to main contentSkip to search
end|thewaitontario
Start HereOAP & FundingSchool & RightsSee the DataTake ActionExplore

New here? Start with our 2-minute guide to OAP registration , no sign-up required.

Monthly digest

Get the next FOI drop in your inbox before the news cycle picks it up.

End the Wait Ontario · We use double opt-in: you’ll get a confirmation email after submitting. Sourced from CBC, the Trillium, the Auditor General. ~1 email/month. Unsubscribe in one click. Privacy policy.

end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led advocacy organization. We publish FOI-verified data on the Ontario Autism Program waitlist and push for evidence-based reform. Built for Ontario families, researchers, and journalists.

Email Your MPP (2 min)

Getting Started

  • All Pages (Full Index)
  • Search
  • Diagnosis Guide
  • While You Wait
  • Facts (Citation Ready)

Take Action

  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • MPP Scorecard
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit

Providers

  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider

Common Questions

  • All Questions
  • How Long Is the Wait?
  • What Is the OAP?
  • How Many Are Waiting?
  • Options While Waiting
  • Funding Amounts

Tools

  • All Tools
  • Parent Navigator
  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker

Your Region

  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton
  • London
  • Mississauga
  • All Regions

Funding & Support

  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP
  • Autism Services Across Canada

Evidence & Data

  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
  • Waitlist Data
  • Cost Calculator
  • Data Stories
  • Where Does the Money Go?

About

  • Our Story
  • Transparency
  • Media References
  • Founder
  • Press
  • Contact

Legal Disclaimer: This website presents advocacy arguments based on publicly available data and legal frameworks. While we strive for accuracy, this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Nothing on this website should be construed as a guarantee of any specific legal outcome.

Independence: End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led advocacy group. We are not affiliated with the Ontario government, the Ontario Autism Coalition, Autism Ontario, or the World Health Organization. We cite FOI data obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition as a matter of public record. This does not constitute affiliation. References to these organizations are for informational purposes; no endorsement is implied.

Non-partisan policy advocacy: We advocate on policy outcomes for children and families and do not endorse any political party or candidate.

Statistics are current as of the dates cited and may change. For specific legal guidance, consult a licensed attorney. For medical advice, consult qualified healthcare professionals. Last updated: 2026.

Legal|Privacy|Terms|Cookies|Accessibility|Corrections|Authority

Speak softly and carry a big stick.·The data is the stick.·Follow the data. Demand the standard.

Founded by the family behind Carroll v. Ontario, a human-rights case about autism wait times (HRTO 2025-62264-I, not yet decided).

© 2026 End The Wait Ontario. All rights reserved. · Parent-led advocacy · Not a government agency

Comparison charts and documents on a sunlit desk
Public information

ABA vs ESDM for Toddlers Under 3: Choosing Early Intervention in Ontario

Compare traditional Applied Behaviour Analysis with the Early Start Denver Model for toddlers under 3 years old. Both are evidence-based, but they differ significantly in delivery, intensity, and philosophy.

Quick summary

  • Side-by-side comparison of ABA vs ESDM autism services
  • Both approaches may help some toddlers, but recommendations should come from a qualified assessment. ESDM evidence in the citation registry is for children aged 18-30 months.
  • 3 frequently asked questions answered with evidence
  1. Home
  2. ›Comparisons
  3. ›ABA vs ESDM for Toddlers Under 3: Choosing Early Intervention in Ontario

ABA

Applied Behaviour Analysis (Traditional)

Evidence Level
Strong50+ years of research
Recommended Hours
20-40 hrs/weekIntensive model
Cost per Year
$40,000-$80,000Ontario average
Setting
Clinic or homeStructured environment

Strengths

  • Extensive evidence base for skill acquisition
  • Measurable, data-driven progress tracking
  • Covered by OAP core clinical services
  • Wide availability of BCBA-supervised programs in Ontario

Limitations

  • Highly structured, may not suit naturalistic learners
  • Very expensive at intensive hours
  • Requires significant family time commitment
  • Some autistic advocates raise concerns about compliance focus

ESDM

Early Start Denver Model

Evidence Level
StrongRCTs since 2010
Recommended Hours
15-25 hrs/weekPlay-based delivery
Cost per Year
$30,000-$60,000Fewer required hours
Age Range
12-48 monthsDesigned for toddlers

Strengths

  • Play-based and naturalistic delivery style
  • Designed specifically for toddlers
  • Integrates developmental and behavioural principles
  • Parents can deliver components at home

Limitations

  • Fewer certified ESDM therapists in Ontario
  • Limited availability outside major urban centres
  • Less effective after age 4
  • Waitlists for trained providers can be long

Analysis

Both approaches may help some toddlers, but recommendations should come from a qualified assessment. ESDM evidence in the citation registry is for children aged 18-30 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

ESDM is a play-based model studied in young children, including ages 18-30 months in the cited trial. Fit depends on the child, family capacity, provider training, and goals.

Yes. OAP core clinical and interim funding can be used for ESDM delivered by qualified providers. The challenge is finding certified ESDM therapists in Ontario, as there are fewer than BCBAs offering traditional ABA.

Hours should be individualized. Ask the clinician to explain the evidence for the proposed intensity, how distress will be monitored, and how the plan will change if it is not helping.

Related Comparisons

ABA vs DIR/Floortime: Comparing Autism Therapy Philosophies in Ontario

Intensive vs Focused ABA: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need in Ontario?

Toddler vs Preschool Intervention: Why Earlier Access Matters for Ontario Families

Verified References & Sources

Updated: Mar 2026

Government Reports & Data

  • [2023]
    Exclusion of Students With Disabilities — 2023 SurveyVerified FAO Data
    Community Living Ontario • Report • 2023-10-01
    View
  • [2024]
    Inclusion Without Proper Support Is AbandonmentVerified FAO Data
    Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario • Report • 2024-06-01
    View
  • [2020]
    Autism ServicesVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2020-07-21
    View
  • [2024]
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan ReviewVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2024-06-05
    View
  • [2026]
    Ontario Autism Program figures as of May 13, 2026 (MCCSS, released under Freedom of Information to the Ontario Autism Coalition; published in the OAC "OAP At A Glance" update, July 2026)Verified FAO Data
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario), obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition • Report • 2026-05-13
    View

Next Steps

Where the waitlist stands

Families navigating autism services in Ontario face a documented multi-year wait. Here is the Ontario data — and a two-minute way to push back, when you are ready.

See where the waitlist standsEmail Your MPP

Related Resources

  • Comparisons Hub
  • Autism Services Across Canada
  • Questions Answered
  • Data Hub
Citable source facts(2)Question-and-answer pairs with their source and verification link.

Is the Ontario Autism Program underfunded?

Verified

Yes. The Financial Accountability Office (FAO) determined that $1.35 billion annually is needed to serve all registered children at 2018-19 service levels. The 2026-27 Ontario Budget allocated $965 million, leaving an estimated $385M+ annual shortfall. This gap is the primary driver of the perpetual 91,974+ child waitlist.

Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO] · Verify Link

How much does Ontario fund for autism treatment?

Verified

Core Clinical Services funding ranges $6,600-$65,000 per year based on age/needs (with a total OAP budget of $965M for 2026-27, up from $779M in 2025-26, per the Ontario Budget tabled March 26, 2026). This is direct funding—families choose public or private providers. However, intensive ABA therapy can cost up to $95,000 USD/year (2020 US cost estimate cited in FAO 2020 report; Canadian costs vary), leaving significant out-of-pocket gaps.

Source: 2026 Ontario Budget, FAO Report 2023-24 · Verify Link

About This Article

Written by Spencer Carroll

Founder & Autism Advocate

Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system