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Education Series
The children in these classrooms
School-age children make up the majority of families waiting for OAP services.
Registered
88,175Children registered
Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Funded
20,666Have active funding
Only 23.4% of registered children
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Waiting
67,509Still waiting
Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Verified , CBC FOI Jan 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 88,175 |
| Have active funding | 20,666 |
| Still waiting | 67,509 |
The 10 largest Ontario school boards by enrollment. Phone numbers connect to the main board line, ask for Special Education Services.
The principal is the first point of contact for special education concerns. They coordinate with the school's Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) and can initiate the IPRC process.
If the school is unresponsive, escalate to the board level. Ask to speak with the Special Education Coordinator or the Superintendent of Education responsible for special education.
SEAC meetings are public. You can observe or formally register to depute, presenting your concerns directly to the committee on the record. Check your board's website for the schedule.
If the board does not act, you can file a formal complaint. See our school board complaint process guide for step-by-step instructions.
When you contact your board's Special Education department, use these questions to get specific, actionable information.
How to attend and depute at your board's SEAC to advocate for better autism supports.
GuideStep-by-step guide for filing a formal complaint when the board is unresponsive.
GuideThis page is part of the Education & Schools topic cluster. School rights, IEPs, IPRC, and advocacy for autistic students in Ontario.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
Verified Facts
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)
88,175, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
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
23.4%, Only 20,666 children have active funding agreements () — less than one in four
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement