The children waiting for diagnosis
Diagnosis is the entry point, behind every assessment is a family already waiting for services.
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 |
The World Health Organization emphasizes that the period from birth to age 6 is the brain’s peak neuroplasticity window. During this time, intensive intervention can significantly improve outcomes in communication, social skills, and cognitive development.
Every month of delayed therapy during this developmental window can have lifelong impacts. Recognizing early signs and seeking assessment promptly gives your child the best chance for optimal development.
90% of brain development occurs before age 6. Early intervention capitalizes on this rapid growth period.
Ontario public autism assessments take 12-24 months. Private assessments can start this process in 2-4 months.
Children who receive early intervention show greater gains in language, social skills, and adaptive behavior.
These are warning signs that warrant professional assessment. Having one or more signs does not mean your child has autism, but it does mean you should discuss concerns with your pediatrician.
Regression refers to loss of previously acquired skills. About 20-30% of autistic children show regression, typically between 15-24 months.
If your child was using words and stopped, was socially engaged and withdrew, or lost other skills, contact your pediatrician immediately. Regression always warrants prompt assessment.
Track your child’s development across these key domains. The Concern column indicates when you should discuss with your pediatrician.
| Age | Expected Skill | Concern If... |
|---|---|---|
| 6-9 mo | Smiles responsively to familiar faces | No social smile |
| 9-12 mo | Uses gestures like reaching or waving | No gestures |
| 12-15 mo | Points to show interest, shares enjoyment | No pointing or sharing |
| 18-24 mo | Engages in simple pretend play | No pretend play |
| 24-36 mo | Plays cooperatively with other children | Plays alone only |
| Age | Expected Skill | Concern If... |
|---|---|---|
| 6-9 mo | Babbles with different sounds (ba, da, ma) | Quiet, no babbling |
| 12 mo | Says 1-2 words with meaning | No words |
| 18 mo | Says 10+ words, starts two-word phrases | Fewer than 10 words |
| 24 mo | Uses 50+ words, two-word phrases | No two-word phrases |
| 36 mo | Speaks in sentences, asks questions | Only echoes words |
| Age | Expected Skill | Concern If... |
|---|---|---|
| 9-12 mo | Looks at objects when you point | No joint attention |
| 12-18 mo | Imitates actions (waving, clapping) | No imitation |
| 18-24 mo | Follows simple one-step instructions | Does not understand |
| 24-36 mo | Sorts shapes, completes simple puzzles | No interest in toys |
| 24-36 mo | Shows interest in other children | Ignores other children |
The M-CHAT is a standard 20-question screening tool used at 18 and 24 months during well-child visits. It asks about social communication, joint attention, and repetitive behaviors.
Note: About 5% of children screen positive on M-CHAT. Of those, about 50% receive an autism diagnosis. The other half may have other developmental concerns or no diagnosis at all. A positive screen means further assessment is warranted.
Follow these steps if you are concerned about your child’s development. You are your child’s best advocate — if something feels wrong, pursue answers.
Write down specific behaviors, when you first noticed them, and how often they occur. Include videos if possible. This documentation is valuable for assessments.
Schedule an appointment with your child's doctor. Be specific about your concerns. Request a referral for autism assessment. In Ontario, you can self-refer to some regional centres.
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) is a standard screening tool. Your doctor may use it, or you can complete it online. Positive screening does not mean autism - it means further assessment is needed.
Request referral to: (1) Public hospital-based autism assessment clinic, or (2) Regional Children's Treatment Centre. Note wait times of 12-24 months for public assessments.
If wait times are too long and your child is under 6, consider private assessment ($2,500-$4,000, 2-4 month wait). Early diagnosis means earlier OAP registration and intervention.
Once you receive an autism diagnosis, call Access OAP at 1-833-425-2445 immediately to register.
Your child’s position on the OAP waitlist is based on the registration date, not the diagnosis date. Every day matters.
Central intake for Ontario Autism Program. Call to register after diagnosis.
Provides public autism assessments, early intervention services, and family support.
Parent support, information, and advocacy across all Ontario regions.
Find qualified psychologists for private autism assessment in your area.
Community services directory for autism resources and support in your area.
Use our printable milestone tracker to document your child’s development and prepare productive conversations with your pediatrician. Early tracking supports early intervention.
Print this checklist to track your child’s development. Bring to pediatrician appointments to discuss concerns.
Parents know their children best. If you are concerned about development, do not wait. Early assessment leads to earlier intervention, and early intervention leads to better outcomes.
Can autistic students get an educational assistant (EA)?
Schools may assign EAs based on IEP needs, but 47% of families report insufficient supports. EA availability varies by board and often fails to match clinical needs, leaving many autistic students without necessary classroom support.
Source: Ontario Education Act & OAC · Verify Link
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.
Evidence supports autism screening and intervention commencing in the first 2 years of life — earlier identification directly enables earlier intervention during the highest neural plasticity window
1 in 50
According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about 1 in 50 children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis
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
23%
Only 20,633 children have active funding agreements (23%) — less than one in four