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Service Provider Guide
Both organizations provide autism services after diagnosis, but they serve different geographic areas and have different strengths. This guide compares the two to help families find the right fit.
| Category | Kerry's Place | Geneva Centre |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Not-for-profit autism service provider | Not-for-profit autism service provider |
| Geographic reach | Province-wide, 22+ Ontario communities | Primarily Toronto and GTA |
| Population served | 9,000+ people of all ages | Children, youth, and adults |
| ABA therapy (children) | Yes | Yes |
| Adult day programs | Yes, extensive | Yes |
| Residential / group homes | Yes, province-wide | Limited |
| Supported living | Yes | Yes |
| Respite services | Yes | Yes |
| Employment support | Yes | Yes |
| Family support | Yes | Yes |
| Assessment services | No, not a diagnostic centre | Yes, assessment services offered |
| School support programs | Yes | Yes |
| OAP-funded services | Yes (for eligible children) | Yes (for eligible children) |
| DSO Passport funded | Yes (for adults) | Yes (for adults) |
Service offerings change, confirm current programs directly with each organization.
Kerry's Place Autism Services is one of Ontario's largest not-for-profit autism service providers, serving over 9,000 people across more than 22 Ontario communities. Services span the full lifespan, from ABA therapy for children and youth, to adult day programs, group homes, supported living, respite, family support, skills development, and employment programs.
Kerry's Place is distinguished by its province-wide geographic reach and its depth of residential and housing supports, areas where most providers have limited capacity. Services may be funded through OAP Core Clinical Services agreements (children), DSO Passport (adults), or privately.
Kerry's Place does not provide autism diagnosis. Contact: kerrysplace.org.
Geneva Centre for Autism is a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization serving children, youth, and adults. Services include ASD assessment, ABA intervention, school support programs, life skills, employment support, respite, and family services. Geneva Centre has a concentrated Toronto and GTA presence.
Unlike most autism service organizations, Geneva Centre offers some assessment services in addition to post-diagnostic support, making it an option for families seeking both diagnostic and therapeutic services from one organization. Services may be OAP-funded, DSO Passport-funded, or privately paid depending on service type and client age.
Contact: genevacentre.ca.
Key takeaway
Kerry's Place is the right first call for families outside Toronto who need province-wide services or residential supports. Geneva Centre is a strong option for Toronto/GTA families who want assessment and therapeutic services under one roof. Both organizations have internal waitlists, contact them directly for current service availability and intake.
Kerry's Place Autism Services is one of Ontario's largest autism service providers, serving 9,000+ people across 22+ Ontario communities. Services include ABA therapy for children and youth, adult day programs, group homes, supported living, respite for families, family support, skills development, and employment programs. Kerry's Place does not provide autism diagnosis, it provides services after diagnosis. Visit kerrysplace.org for current service listings in your region.
Geneva Centre for Autism is a Toronto-based not-for-profit serving children, youth, and adults. Services include ASD assessment (unlike most service providers), ABA intervention, school support, life skills programs, employment support, respite, and family services. Geneva Centre has a stronger urban Toronto/GTA presence and offers some assessment services that Kerry's Place does not. Visit genevacentre.ca for current service listings.
The right organization depends on your location, your child's age, and the specific services you need. Kerry's Place has province-wide reach and stronger residential and housing supports. Geneva Centre has a stronger Toronto urban presence and offers assessment services. Neither organization is superior overall, each specializes in different areas and geographies. Families outside Toronto should check whether Kerry's Place serves their community.
Yes. Both Kerry's Place and Geneva Centre can deliver services funded through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) Core Clinical Services funding agreement. With 71,263 children waiting for OAP Core Clinical Services, families on the waitlist may access interim Foundational Family Services while waiting. Some services may also be funded through the DSO Passport program for eligible adults.
Contact each organization directly to inquire about current service availability and intake processes. Kerry's Place: kerrysplace.org. Geneva Centre for Autism: genevacentre.ca. Note that both organizations have their own internal service waitlists for specific programs. Funding source (OAP, Passport, private) will affect which services you can access, confirm this at intake.
Next Steps
71,263 children are on the waitlist. Learn what interim support is available while you wait.
Related Resources
How long does autism diagnosis take in Ontario?
VerifiedBefore joining the OAP waitlist, Ontario diagnostic waitlists average 12–24 months at public hospitals. This pre-waitlist delay means total time from first concern to therapy often exceeds 5–7 years, an invisible bottleneck in official statistics.
Source: Ontario Autism Program [OAP] · Verify Link
Is private autism assessment faster in Ontario?
VerifiedPrivate autism assessments cost $2,500–$4,000 but reduce wait times from years to weeks. Many families face the choice of paying out-of-pocket to access the OAP sooner or waiting while their child misses the critical early intervention window.
Source: Ontario Autism Program [OAP] · Verify Link
Evidence 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
According to the FAO (2020 report), OAP funding covers less than one-third of estimated need at 2018-19 service levels
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism. Timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement