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End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics and advocacy. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

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end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics and advocacy. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

Getting Started

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

Common Questions

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

Tools

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

Providers

  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider

Funding & Support

  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP

Your Region

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

Evidence & Data

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

Take Action

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

About

  • Our Story
  • Transparency
  • Media References
  • Founder
  • Press
  • Contact
end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics and advocacy. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

  • Browse All Pages
  • Search
  • Diagnosis Guide
  • While You Wait
  • Facts (Citation Ready)
  • All Questions
  • How Long Is the Wait?
  • What Is the OAP?
  • How Many Are Waiting?
  • Options While Waiting
  • Funding Amounts
  • Parent Navigator
  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker
  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider
  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP
  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton
  • London
  • Mississauga
  • All Regions
  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
  • Waitlist Data
  • Cost Calculator
  • Data Stories
  • Where Does the Money Go?
  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit
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  • Transparency
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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.

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Carroll v. Ontario · HRTO 2025-62264-I · our own pending, unadjudicated application

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  1. Home
  2. ›Comparisons
  3. ›Oap Vs Private

What are the out-of-pocket costs for autism therapy?

Private ABA therapy costs $100-$150/hour (BCBA supervised). Intensive programs of 20+ hours/week can cost up to $95,000 USD/year (2020 US cost estimate cited in FAO 2020 report; Canadian costs vary). Speech and OT cost $120-$160/hour. These costs are often prohibitive while families wait 5+ years for OAP funding.

Source: Ontario Provider Fee Schedules; FAO 2020 Report

Comparison charts and documents on a sunlit desk

Comparison Guide

OAP vs Private Autism Therapy

A plain-language comparison of costs, wait times, coverage, and outcomes to help you make the best decision for your child.

Quick Summary for Parents

  • OAP covers about $34,000/year, but intensive therapy costs $60K–$95K/year
  • OAP wait time is 5+ years. Private therapy starts in 1–3 months
  • Many families start private while waiting, then switch to OAP
  • Free options exist while you wait (school supports, interim funding, tax credits)
See free options while you wait

The numbers behind the comparison

Every jurisdiction comparison starts with these figures.

Registered

89,79989,799

Children registered

Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue

MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Funded

20,63320,633

Have active funding

Only 23% of registered children

MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Waiting

69,16669,166

Still waiting

Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.

MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Verified June 13, 2026 , MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Share these numbers
Ontario Autism Program key statistics (MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026, verified 2026-06-13)
MetricValue
Children registered89,799
Have active funding20,633
Still waiting69,166

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryOAPPrivateWinner
Annual Cost~$34,000 average$60,000–$95,000OAP
Wait Time5+ years1–3 monthsPrivate
Coverage25–50% of costs100% out of pocketOAP
Provider ChoiceOAP-approved list onlyAny qualified providerPrivate
Service HoursBased on fundingAs purchasedDepends
Evidence-BasedOAP-approved servicesAny evidence-based therapy=

Intensive ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) therapy runs 20–40 hours per week per AAP clinical guidelines. Ontario provider rates average $90–$150/hour (Ontario Autism Coalition, 2024–2025).

Common Questions

OAP provides about $34,000 per year on average for children receiving core services (FAO 2025–26 budget). Intensive ABA therapy (20–40 hours/week, as recommended by clinical guidelines) costs $60,000–$95,000 per year based on Ontario provider rates of $90–$150/hour (Ontario Autism Coalition, 2024–2025). This leaves a $40,000–$110,000+ gap that families must pay out of pocket, or reduce therapy hours.
Consider starting private therapy if your child is under 6 (the critical window for brain development), you can afford partial costs, or you have extended health benefits. Waiting 5+ years for OAP during ages 2–7 means missing the early intervention window. Many families combine both: they start private therapy while on the OAP waitlist, then switch to OAP when invited.
Only if that therapist is on the OAP-approved provider list. OAP funding cannot be used for providers who are not approved. Check the OAP Provider Directory before committing. Some private practices are OAP-approved, others are not.
There are free and low-cost options: (1) School supports like an IEP or educational assistant, free, (2) EarlyON and Preschool Speech programs, free, (3) Interim OAP one-time funding, up to $20,000, (4) ACSD (Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities), monthly financial support, (5) Disability Tax Credit, worth $3,500+/year, (6) Some providers offer sliding-scale or reduced rates.
Results depend on the therapist's qualifications and approach, not the funding source. Both OAP-approved and private therapists use evidence-based methods. Research shows that the quality and timing of therapy matters more than who pays for it. However, private therapy lets you start sooner, which can improve outcomes.
Think about: (1) Wait time, private starts in 1–3 months vs OAP 5+ years, (2) Cost, can your family handle the $40K–$110K annual gap? (FAO 2024), (3) Qualifications, both require a BCBA or equivalent, (4) Your child's age, under 6 means urgency, (5) Insurance, does your plan cover any therapy? (6) Mix approach, start private now, switch to OAP when invited.

Need Help Deciding?

Check our funding guide and cost calculator to understand your options.

OAP Funding GuideCost Calculator

Last reviewed: March 2026 | Sources: FAO 2025–26, Ontario Autism Coalition 2024–2025

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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]
    MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports (FOI release CSS2026-0749)Verified FAO Data
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario) • Report • 2026-03-04
    View
  • MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports (FOI release CSS2026-0749). Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario) (March 2026)
  • Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan Review (2024). Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (2024)

Related Resources

  • Comparisons Hub
  • ABA vs Other Therapies
  • Comparisons / Private Vs Public Autism Assessment Ontario
  • Autism Diagnosis Cost Ontario
  • OAP Eligibility
About This Article

Written by Spencer Carroll

Founder & Autism Advocate

Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system

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Last system verification: 2026-06-13. Next scheduled update: 2026-09-10.
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