The numbers behind the comparison
Every jurisdiction comparison starts with these figures.
Registered
89,799Children registered
Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue
MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026
Funded
20,633Have active funding
Only 23% of registered children
MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026
Waiting
69,166Still waiting
Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.
MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026
Verified , MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 89,799 |
| Have active funding | 20,633 |
| Still waiting | 69,166 |
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Therapy decisions should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and based on individual assessments.
Ontario families navigating autism therapy face a complex landscape. ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) is the most widely researched and is classified as a Core Clinical Service under the OAP. But ABA is not the only evidence-based option, and for many children, a multi-disciplinary approach combining several therapies produces the best outcomes.
The table below compares six common therapy types by evidence strength, weekly intensity, annual cost, what each is best suited for, and whether it is covered under OAP funding. Costs reflect typical Ontario provider rates as of 2025-26.
| Therapy | Evidence | Intensity | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) | Strong (Cochrane 2018) | 20-40 hrs/week | $50-80K/year |
| ESDM (Early Start Denver Model) | Strong (Dawson 2010) | 15-25 hrs/week | $40-60K/year |
| PRT (Pivotal Response Training) | Moderate | 10-20 hrs/week | $25-40K/year |
| Speech-Language Therapy | Strong | 1-3 hrs/week | $5-15K/year |
| Occupational Therapy (OT) | Moderate-Strong | 1-2 hrs/week | $4-10K/year |
| Social Skills Groups | Moderate | 1-2 hrs/week | $2-5K/year |
Costs are approximate and based on Ontario provider rates (2025-26). Actual costs vary by provider, region, and intensity. Evidence ratings reflect published systematic reviews and clinical guidelines.
For children under 6, intensive ABA or ESDM has the strongest evidence. The brain's neuroplasticity is highest during this window, making early intensive intervention most effective.
Clinical guidelines recommend a multi-disciplinary approach. A typical program might combine ABA (20+ hrs/week) with speech therapy (1-2 sessions/week) and OT (1 session/week) tailored to your child's needs.
A comprehensive therapy program can cost $60,000-$100,000+ per year. OAP core clinical funding covers a portion, but most families face a significant gap. See our funding gap analysis for details.
Look for BCBAs (Board Certified Behaviour Analysts) for ABA, registered SLPs for speech therapy, and registered OTs for occupational therapy. Ask about their experience with autism and their approach to naturalistic teaching.
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate
Evidence on this page
Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.
Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) delivered to children aged 18–30 months produced significant gains in IQ, adaptive behaviour, and autism severity — some children no longer met diagnostic criteria at follow-up
Cochrane systematic review finds evidence that early intensive behavioural intervention (EIBI) may produce positive effects on adaptive behaviour and communication for young children with ASD (low certainty of evidence)
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement
89,799
children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
According to the FAO (2020 report), OAP funding covers less than one-third of estimated need at 2018-19 service levels
23%
Only 20,633 children have active funding agreements — less than one in four