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end|thewaitontario

Parent-led advocacy for Ontario families waiting for autism services.

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

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

Tools

  • 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

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Evidence & Data

  • Evidence Library
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  • Where Does the Money Go?

Take Action

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About

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end|thewaitontario

Parent-led advocacy for Ontario families waiting for autism services.

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

  • 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

Parent-led advocacy for Ontario families waiting for autism services.

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Advocacy, not anger. Data, not speculation.

Carroll v. Ontario · HRTO 2025-62264-I

© 2026 End The Wait Ontario. All rights reserved. · Parent-led advocacy · Not a government agency

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What rights do autistic students have in Ontario schools?

In Ontario, students with autism have the right to an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and reasonable accommodations without a formal diagnosis, based on need. Parents can request an IPRC meeting to identify their child as 'exceptional', guaranteeing specific rights to support services.

Source: Ontario Education Act

Can autistic students get an educational assistant (EA)?

Schools may assign EAs based on IEP needs, but **47% of families** report insufficient supports. [OAC] 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

Can my child get an IEP without an autism diagnosis?

You do NOT need a formal medical diagnosis to get an IEP (Individual Education Plan) in Ontario schools. Write to your principal requesting an IPRC meeting, state you have a 'medical referral in progress,' and focus on identifying your child's needs rather than diagnostic labels.

Source: Ontario Education Act

  1. Home
  2. ›Education
  3. ›School Boards
  4. ›TVDSB

Public Board

Thames Valley District School Board

Special education and autism accommodation resources for families in London.

Board Summary

  • Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) serves London and is a public board.
  • Contact the Special Education department for information about supports available in London.
  • You have the right to request an IEP review at any time. Put the request in writing to the principal.

Contact Special Education

Special Education Phone
519-452-2000
SEAC (Special Education Advisory Committee)
View SEAC page
Board Website
https://www.tvdsb.ca

Your Rights with This Board

  1. 1
    Request an IEP review

    Contact the school principal in writing. The school must convene an IEP team meeting within 30 days of your written request. Be specific about which goals or accommodations you want reviewed.

  2. 2
    Escalate to the board

    If the school does not resolve the issue, contact the board's Special Education department or Superintendent of Education directly. Reference your written correspondence with the school.

  3. 3
    Use the SEAC

    The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is a public body that meets regularly and accepts public input. Depute at a SEAC meeting to raise systemic concerns at the board level.

  4. 4
    File a formal complaint

    If accommodation is denied or the board is unresponsive, file a formal complaint with the board's superintendent. If the pattern continues, file with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) under the duty to accommodate.

Related Education Resources

  • IEP Guide

    Accommodations vs modifications, SMART goals, and your legal rights.

  • IPRC Process

    The formal identification and placement process, the foundation for your IEP.

  • SEAC Advisory Committee

    Every board has a SEAC. Learn how to use it for systemic change.

  • EA Support Guide

    EA support must be documented in the IEP.

  • School Board Contacts

    Directory of all Ontario school board special education contacts.

  • PPM 140, ABA in Schools

    ABA-based methods must be offered in Ontario schools.

Next Steps

Understanding the System Is the First Step

Now that you know how it works, here's how to navigate it for your child.

Explore ResourcesEstimate Your Wait
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About This Article
Written by:Spencer Carroll - Founder & Autism AdvocateParent of autistic child navigating OAP system
Featured in CBC News Investigation
FOI Data Verified
Clip in WHO Social Media Reel
Active HRTO Advocacy
FAO & Legislative Assembly Cited

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Verified Facts

Facts cited on this page

Under the Ontario Education Act, every student with special needs is entitled to an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and access to an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)

Gov / Peer-ReviewedGovernment of Ontario (2024)Verified: 2024-01-01

88,175, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-04-29

1 in 50, According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis

Gov / Peer-ReviewedPublic Health Agency of Canada (2024)Verified: 2024-03-26

23.4%, Only 20,666 children have active funding agreements () — less than one in four

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-04-29

WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement

Gov / Peer-ReviewedWorld Health Organization (2023)Verified: 2023-11-15
View our methodologyView all sourcesNext data update: 2026-07-28