Plain-language definitions

Ontario Autism Program Glossary

35+ terms from the Ontario Autism Program explained in plain language. Decode the alphabet soup: ABA, OAP, DON, BCBA, IEP, IPRC, SSAH, DTC, and more.

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35+ terms from the Ontario Autism Program explained in plain language. Decode the alphabet soup: ABA, OAP, DON, BCBA, IEP, IPRC, SSAH, DTC, and more.

Sources listed below · Verified 2026-08-10

OAP funding agreement status

Ontario Autism Program registered children by active agreement status
Segment	Value
Active Core Funding Agreements	20,711
Without an active agreement	71,263

Registered children, as of May 13, 2026; source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026. That administrative status is not a claim of attendance or ongoing clinical therapy.

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Terms and definitions

A

Terms beginning with A.
Term	Definition	Source
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis)ABA	Definition Evidence-based therapy using behavioral principles to teach skills and reduce barriers to participation. Evidence-based and supported by ABA research (AAP, NCAEP) when delivered early and intensively, typically 20 to 40 hours weekly. Note ABA is the primary evidence-based intervention funded through OAP Core Clinical Services.	Sources listed below
AccessOAP	Definition Ontario government's central intake organization for the Ontario Autism Program. Handles registration, waitlist management, and intake coordination. Phone: 1-833-425-2445. Website: accessoap.ca. Note First point of contact for all OAP-registered families. Register immediately after autism diagnosis, waitlist position is based on registration date.	Sources listed below

B

Terms beginning with B.
Term	Definition	Source
BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)BCBA	Definition A credentialed behavior analyst who designs and supervises ABA programs. BCBAs hold a graduate degree and pass a national certification exam. In Ontario, they are registered with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) as of July 2024. Note OAP Core Clinical Services funding can be used to hire a BCBA for program design and supervision.	Sources listed below
Behaviour Therapist (BT)BT	Definition A frontline therapist who delivers ABA therapy sessions directly with an autistic child, under the clinical supervision of a BCBA. Also called Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT) in some contexts.	Sources listed below

C

Terms beginning with C.
Term	Definition	Source
Core Clinical Services	Definition The OAP-funded intensive therapy services families wait for. Includes ABA, IBI, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy delivered at a clinically appropriate intensity. Reported wait: 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026). Note This is what the 71,263 children without a core funding agreement are waiting to access.	Sources listed below

D

Terms beginning with D.
Term	Definition	Source
DON (Determination of Needs)DON	Definition An OAP assessment conducted by an independent clinical expert that evaluates a child's support needs and determines their annual funding level. Funding ranges from $6,600 to $65,000 per year. Note Families are invited for a DON assessment only after they reach the front of the waitlist. Reported wait: 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026).	Sources listed below
DSM-5	Definition Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. Published by the American Psychiatric Association, this is the standard diagnostic reference used by psychologists and physicians to diagnose autism in Canada. The DSM-5 unified Asperger's syndrome, PDD-NOS, and autistic disorder under the single diagnosis 'Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)'.	Sources listed below
DTC (Disability Tax Credit)DTC	Definition A federal non-refundable tax credit for Canadians with disabilities, reducing income tax payable. Eligibility depends on the CRA criteria. Also gives access to the RDSP. Note Apply using Form T2201, completed by a medical practitioner.	Sources listed below

E–F

Terms beginning with E–F.
Term	Definition	Source
FAO (Financial Accountability Office of Ontario)FAO	Definition An independent office of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario that produces reports on government finances and programs. The FAO has published critical analyses of OAP waitlist data and funding levels used extensively as primary sources on this site.	Sources listed below
FOI (Freedom of Information)FOI	Definition Formal requests submitted under Ontario's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) to obtain government records not publicly available. FOI requests have been used by advocates and journalists to obtain OAP waitlist numbers, service delivery statistics, and internal correspondence.	Sources listed below
Foundational Family Services (FFS)FFS	Definition OAP supports available to ALL registered families regardless of their waitlist position. Includes parent training, caregiver-mediated intervention workshops, and support navigation. No waitlist. Note FFS does NOT replace Core Clinical Services. A few hours of parent training per month is not equivalent to the 25+ weekly hours of intensive ABA therapy that evidence supports.	Sources listed below

G–I

Terms beginning with G–I.
Term	Definition	Source
IBI (Intensive Behavioural Intervention)IBI	Definition A comprehensive, intensive application of ABA principles often delivered in the range of 20 to 40 hours weekly as individualized with a clinician. Most studied with young children (ages 2–5). Funded through OAP Core Clinical Services. Note Many children age past the commonly described early intervention window (0–6 years) while waiting for OAP Core Clinical Services.	Sources listed below
IEP (Individual Education Plan)IEP	Definition A legal document created by a school for a student with identified special education needs. Details the student's current levels of achievement, annual program goals, specific accommodations, and any specialized equipment or services. Must be reviewed at least once per school year. Note Every Ontario student with an exceptionality is entitled to an IEP. Parents have the right to participate in IEP development.	Sources listed below
Invitation System	Definition The current OAP access model where families wait to be "invited" to apply for Core Clinical Services based on their registration date. Families cannot self-refer for funding, they must wait for the Ministry to contact them. Note As of May 2026, 91,974 children are registered; 22.5% have an active core funding agreement (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026). Reported wait: 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026).	Sources listed below
IPRC (Identification, Placement, and Review Committee)IPRC	Definition A school committee process that formally identifies a student as having an exceptionality (such as autism) and determines their educational placement. IPRC decisions must be documented in writing. Parents have the right to be present, to disagree, and to appeal. Note Requesting an IPRC meeting is how families formally trigger school-board obligations for special education supports.	Sources listed below

J–M

Terms beginning with J–M.
Term	Definition	Source
MCCSS (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services)MCCSS	Definition Ontario government ministry responsible for administering the Ontario Autism Program (OAP), developmental services, children's aid, and social assistance programs. AccessOAP operates under MCCSS.	Sources listed below

N–O

Terms beginning with N–O.
Term	Definition	Source
OAP (Ontario Autism Program)OAP	Definition The Ontario government program providing autism services and funding for children and youth under 18. Administered by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) through AccessOAP. Note As of May 2026, 91,974 children are registered; 22.5% have an active core funding agreement (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).	Sources listed below
ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program)ODSP	Definition Income and employment support program for adults (18+) in Ontario with disabilities. Relevant for autistic adults who have aged out of the OAP. Provides monthly income support and benefits coverage.	Sources listed below
OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan)OHIP	Definition Ontario's provincial health insurance plan. Covers OHIP-insured diagnostic assessments for autism by physicians and psychiatrists, as well as speech-language pathology and occupational therapy delivered in hospitals and community health centres. Note OHIP-covered autism assessments are free but may have long wait times (commonly reported at 12–24 months). Private assessments commonly cost roughly $2,500–$4,000 but are faster (confirm with providers).	Sources listed below
Occupational Therapy (OT)OT	Definition Therapy addressing sensory processing, fine motor skills, daily living activities, and social participation. Commonly involved in autism support. Available through OHIP in hospitals, community health centres, and privately through OAP Core Clinical Services funding.	Sources listed below

P–R

Terms beginning with P–R.
Term	Definition	Source
PPM 140	Definition Ontario Ministry of Education Policy Program Memorandum 140 (2007). Directs school boards to support and fund Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) for students with autism. Establishes ABA as the evidence-based approach within the Ontario education system. Note Under PPM 140, school boards must have ABA professionals on staff to support students with autism.	Sources listed below
Psychoeducational Assessment	Definition A comprehensive evaluation by a registered psychologist that typically assesses cognitive abilities, academic achievement, and behavioral/emotional functioning. May include an autism diagnosis. Commonly required for IEP development and accommodations (e.g., EQAO exemptions, university accommodations). Cost: $3,000–$5,000 privately; available through school boards but wait times are 1–3 years.	Sources listed below
RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan)RDSP	Definition A federal long-term savings plan for Canadians with disabilities who hold a valid Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate. Contributions attract federal Canada Disability Savings Grants (up to $3,500 annually) and Canada Disability Savings Bonds (up to $1,000 annually for lower-income families). Designed for long-term financial security.	Sources listed below
Respite Care	Definition Temporary care for a person with a disability, providing caregivers with a planned break from their caregiving responsibilities. In Ontario, respite care for families of children with autism can be funded through SSAH (Special Services at Home). Critical for preventing caregiver burnout.	Sources listed below

S

Terms beginning with S.
Term	Definition	Source
SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist)SLP	Definition A regulated health professional addressing communication, language development, speech production, and (in some cases) feeding and swallowing. SLP services are among the most commonly needed by autistic children. Available through OHIP, school boards, community health centres, and privately through OAP Core Clinical Services funding.	Sources listed below
SSAH (Special Services at Home)SSAH	Definition Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services program providing funding for families caring for a child or adult with a developmental disability or physical disability at home. Can fund respite workers, support workers, and life skills programs. Apply through your local DSSAB (District Social Services Administration Board).	Sources listed below

T–Z

Terms beginning with T–Z.
Term	Definition	Source
WHO (World Health Organization)WHO	Definition The United Nations' global health authority. WHO's autism fact sheet (updated September 17, 2025) states that timely access to early evidence-based psychosocial interventions can improve autistic children's ability to communicate and interact socially; it does not set a specific wait-time target. Advocates have noted that Ontario's documented multi-year OAP waitlists cut against this timely-access principle. Note See /who-alignment for the full comparison of WHO guidance with Ontario’s OAP data. WHO has not assessed the Ontario Autism Program.	Sources listed below

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Verified references and sources

Watchdog Reports

[2024]
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan Review
Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Watchdog report • 2024-06-05
View

FOI Records

[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)
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario), obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition • FOI record • 2026-05-13
View

Official Organizations

[2025]
Autism Spectrum Disorders Fact Sheet (updated September 17, 2025)
World Health Organization (WHO) • Official • 2025-09-17
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Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.

Facts3

Sources3

91,974

children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program

Primary sourceMCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026Verified 2026-08-10

22.5%

Only 20,711 children have active funding agreements (22.5%), less than one in four

Primary sourceMCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026Verified 2026-08-10

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

Primary sourceWorld Health Organization (2025)Verified 2025-09-17

Last system verification: 2026-08-10. Next scheduled update: 2026-11-05.

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Written bySpencer Carroll

Founder & Autism Advocate

Lived experience: Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system