Guide
Start transition discussions at your child's IEP meeting in high school. Request a formal transition plan that addresses education, employment, community living, and health care. The earlier you start, the more options you can explore before the deadline of turning 18.
Contact your local DSO office to begin the adult eligibility determination process. You will need a psychological assessment confirming a developmental disability, proof of Ontario residency, and identification. The DSO process can take several months, so apply well before your child turns 18.
Apply for the Ontario Disability Support Program before your child turns 18 if possible. ODSP provides income support and extended health benefits for adults with disabilities. The application requires medical documentation of how the disability affects daily functioning and ability to work.
If your child can make some decisions with help, a supported decision-making agreement may be more appropriate than guardianship. This legal arrangement lets a trusted person help with decisions while preserving the individual's autonomy. Consult a lawyer experienced in disability law to choose the right option.
Explore employment supports through Ontario's Employment Ontario network and autism-specific agencies. Options include supported employment, skills training, social enterprises, and day programs. Apply early because many programs have wait lists of 6-12 months or more.
Review and update powers of attorney, RDSP beneficiary information, Henson Trust provisions, and health care consent arrangements. Ensure your child has a valid Ontario photo ID card if they do not drive. Inform OHIP and your family doctor of the transition to adult care.
Paediatric specialists typically discharge patients at age 18. Identify adult physicians, psychiatrists, and therapists before the transition date. Request that medical records be transferred and schedule introductory appointments during the overlap period.
If your child will need supported living arrangements, apply through your local DSO. Wait lists for residential supports in Ontario can exceed 10 years. Submitting the application early, even if residential care is not immediately needed, preserves your place on the list.
Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Transition planning resources and adult developmental services information (ontario.ca)
Developmental Services Ontario
Adult eligibility process and service navigation for people with developmental disabilities (dsontario.ca)
ARCH Disability Law Centre
Legal information on decision-making, guardianship, and rights of adults with disabilities (archdisabilitylaw.ca)
Transitioning to Adult Autism Services in Ontario
How to Apply for the Ontario Disability Support Program with an Autism Diagnosis
How to Set Up a Registered Disability Savings Plan for Autism Families
How to Access the Passport Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in Ontario
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
US$2.4M
Lifetime support costs for autism with co-occurring intellectual disability can reach US$2.4 million per person (Buescher et al.)
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%
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