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

Traditional OT vs Sensory Integration Therapy: What Ontario Families Should Know

Compare traditional occupational therapy with sensory integration therapy for autistic children in Ontario. Both are delivered by OTs but differ in focus and evidence base.

Quick summary

  • Side-by-side comparison of Traditional OT vs Sensory Integration autism services
  • Ask the occupational therapist what goal each activity serves. A useful plan should target daily function, measure progress, and change if it is not helping.
  • 2 frequently asked questions answered with evidence
  1. Home
  2. ›Comparisons
  3. ›Traditional OT vs Sensory Integration Therapy: What Ontario Families Should Know

Traditional OT

Traditional Occupational Therapy

Evidence Level
StrongWell-established practice
Cost per Session
$100-$17545-60 minutes
Focus
Functional skillsDaily living, fine motor, self-care
OAP Coverage
YesInterim and core funding

Strengths

  • Strong evidence for improving daily living skills
  • Addresses fine motor, self-care, and handwriting
  • Widely available across Ontario
  • Covered by OAP and most insurance plans

Limitations

  • May not directly address sensory sensitivities
  • Weekly sessions may be insufficient
  • Waitlists of 6-18 months for publicly funded OT
  • Generalization to home and school requires practice

Sensory Integration

Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy

Evidence Level
MixedGrowing but debated
Cost per Session
$120-$200Specialized equipment
Focus
Sensory processingRegulation and modulation
OAP Coverage
PartialIf delivered by registered OT

Strengths

  • Directly targets sensory processing differences
  • Uses child-directed, play-based activities
  • Can reduce sensory-related meltdowns and anxiety
  • Addresses underlying regulation challenges

Limitations

  • Evidence base is weaker and debated
  • Requires specialized equipment and trained OT
  • Fewer trained practitioners in Ontario
  • May not directly improve functional skills

Analysis

Ask the occupational therapist what goal each activity serves. A useful plan should target daily function, measure progress, and change if it is not helping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) therapy has a growing but debated evidence base. Some studies show positive outcomes for sensory processing and daily function, while systematic reviews call for more rigorous research. The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario considers it within scope of practice when delivered by a trained OT.

Yes, if delivered by a registered occupational therapist who is an OAP-registered provider. The therapy does not need to be labelled as "sensory integration" specifically — it falls under OT services funded through OAP interim or core clinical services.

Related Comparisons

ABA vs Other Autism Therapies: Evidence, Costs, and Choosing What's Right

Group vs Individual Autism Therapy: Finding the Right Balance in Ontario

Speech Therapy vs AAC Devices: Communication Options for Autistic Children in Ontario

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