Guide
Request written progress reports from every therapist and service provider your child has seen in the past year. Reports should include measurable outcomes, hours delivered, and goals achieved. Compile these into a single folder for easy reference at the review meeting.
Read your child's existing service plan carefully. Note which goals have been met, which are in progress, and which were not addressed. Identify any goals that are no longer relevant and any new needs that have emerged over the year.
Write down any services your child needs but is not receiving. Use specific examples from daily life, school, or therapy. If wait times prevented access to a recommended service, document the timeline and impact on your child.
Create a one-page summary of your child's current status, key concerns, and requests for the coming year. Practise presenting your points clearly and concisely. Having written notes ensures you cover everything important during the meeting.
Bring all documentation to the meeting. Present your child's progress and unmet needs. Ask the coordinator to explain any changes to funding or eligibility. Request that all agreed-upon changes be documented in writing before you leave.
Review the updated service plan for accuracy before signing. Confirm the date of the next annual review. Ask for a copy of the signed plan and any related correspondence. Follow up on any action items within two weeks of the meeting.
Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Ontario Autism Program guidelines for annual reviews and service plan updates (ontario.ca/autism)
Autism Ontario
Family resources and advocacy tools for navigating OAP processes (autismontario.com)
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.
89,799
children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
23%
Only 20,633 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