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Compare ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) with the Passport program for autistic adults in Ontario. Both provide support but have different purposes, funding, and eligibility.
In brief
Ontario Disability Support Program
Passport Program (Ontario)
ODSP and Passport serve different needs and should be accessed together. ODSP provides income support (below poverty line); Passport funds community participation, respite, and skills. Autistic adults turning 18 should apply for both through DSO, as waitlists for Passport can be years long.
Yes. ODSP provides monthly income support while Passport funds community participation, day programs, and respite. Passport funding does not count as income for ODSP purposes. Apply for both through your regional DSO.
Contact your regional Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) office before your child turns 18. Apply for ODSP, Passport, and any other adult developmental services. There is no automatic transition — families must actively apply. Start at age 16 to account for waitlists.
Passport covers community participation (classes, recreation), person-directed planning, skills development, day programs, and caregiver respite. It does not cover housing, medical expenses, or basic living costs — those fall under ODSP and OHIP.
Next Steps
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.
What official government data tracks the Ontario autism waitlist?
VerifiedThe current province-wide waitlist record is the MCCSS FOI data published through the Ontario Autism Coalition data hub. As of May 2026, it shows 91,974 registered children and 22.5% with active funding agreements. Historical FAO, Auditor General, OHRC, and AccessOAP records provide separate context and should be cited for their own claims.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC May 2026 · Open source record
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