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end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics and advocacy. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

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

  • Parent Navigator
  • 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
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  • 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

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics and advocacy. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

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

  • Parent Navigator
  • 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

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics and advocacy. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

  • 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
  • Parent Navigator
  • 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.

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Speak softly and carry a big stick. — Theodore Roosevelt

Carroll v. Ontario · HRTO 2025-62264-I · our own pending, unadjudicated application

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

How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?

As of March 4, 2026, **89,799 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program**. [FOI] However, only **20,633 (23%)** have an active Core Funding Agreement. This represents approximately 290% growth in registrations since 2019, with 69,166 children still waiting for essential funding.

Source: OAC FOI Mar 2026, FAO Report 2024

Is the Ontario Autism Program underfunded?

Yes. The Financial Accountability Office (FAO) determined that **$1.35 billion annually** is needed to serve all registered children at 2018-19 service levels. The 2026-27 Ontario Budget allocated **$965 million**, leaving an estimated **$385M+ annual shortfall**. [FAO, Ontario Budget 2026] This gap is the primary driver of the perpetual 89,799+ child waitlist.

Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO]

  1. Home
  2. ›Local

Local service finder

Find autism services near you.

Pick a service and a city to get straight to OAP funding options, wait-time context, and local next steps — 702 guides across Ontario.

On this page

A clear path through the topic.

  1. 1Verified facts
  2. 2Practical guidance
  3. 3Ways to act

Service finder

Two steps to your local guide.

Choose a service, then search your city or region. Every combination links to a dedicated guide with OAP funding options and local context.

Step 1 — pick a service

78 cities match for Assessment

  • AjaxDurham Region
  • AuroraGTA
  • BarrieCentral Ontario
  • BellevilleEastern Ontario
  • Bradford West GwillimburyGTA
  • BramptonGTA
  • BrantSouthwestern Ontario
  • BrantfordSouthwestern Ontario
  • BrockvilleEastern Ontario
  • BurlingtonGolden Horseshoe
  • CaledonGTA
  • CambridgeWaterloo Region
  • Chatham-KentSouthwestern Ontario
  • ClaringtonDurham Region
  • CobourgEastern Ontario
  • CollingwoodCentral Ontario
  • CornwallEastern Ontario
  • DrydenNorthern Ontario
  • East GwillimburyGTA
  • Elliot LakeNorthern Ontario
  • Fort ErieNiagara Region
  • GeorginaGTA
  • Greater SudburyNorthern Ontario
  • GrimsbyNiagara Region
  • GuelphWellington County
  • Haldimand CountySouthwestern Ontario
  • Halton HillsGTA
  • HamiltonGolden Horseshoe
  • HuntsvilleCentral Ontario
  • InnisfilCentral Ontario
  • Kawartha LakesCentral Ontario
  • KenoraNorthern Ontario
  • KingstonEastern Ontario
  • KitchenerWaterloo Region
  • LakeshoreSouthwestern Ontario
  • LeamingtonSouthwestern Ontario
  • LincolnNiagara Region
  • LondonSouthwestern Ontario
  • MarkhamGTA
  • MidlandCentral Ontario
  • MiltonGTA
  • MississaugaGTA
  • New TecumsethCentral Ontario
  • NewmarketGTA
  • Niagara FallsNiagara Region
  • Norfolk CountySouthwestern Ontario
  • North BayNorthern Ontario
  • OakvilleGTA
  • OrangevilleCentral Ontario
  • OrilliaCentral Ontario
  • OshawaDurham Region
  • OttawaEastern Ontario
  • Owen SoundSouthwestern Ontario
  • PembrokeEastern Ontario
  • PeterboroughCentral Ontario
  • PickeringDurham Region
  • Port ColborneNiagara Region
  • Prince Edward CountyEastern Ontario
  • Quinte WestEastern Ontario
  • Richmond HillGTA

Showing the first 60 matches. Narrow your search to see more.

Coverage

Where these guides reach.

City counts reflect the site’s maintained regional dataset, not a claim of provider availability in every community.

  • GTA16 cities covered
  • Southwestern Ontario14 cities covered
  • Central Ontario11 cities covered
  • Eastern Ontario9 cities covered
  • Northern Ontario9 cities covered
  • Niagara Region8 cities covered
  • Durham Region5 cities covered
  • Waterloo Region3 cities covered
  • Golden Horseshoe2 cities covered
  • Wellington County1 city covered

Browse by service

Every service type, starting from Toronto.

Jump straight into a service guide, then switch cities from the finder above.

  • Autism Assessment
  • ABA Therapy
  • Speech Therapy (SLP)
  • Occupational Therapy (OT)
  • Respite Care
  • Behaviour Therapy (IBI/ABA)
  • Financial Support & Funding for Autism
  • School & IEP Support for Autism
  • Adult Autism Services

Take action

Help end the wait

Connect with autism service providers and support networks near you.

Write to your MPPShare your story

Verified References & Sources

Updated: Mar 2026

Government Reports & Data

  • [2023]
    Exclusion of Students With Disabilities — 2023 SurveyVerified FAO Data
    Community Living Ontario • Report • 2023-10-01
    View
  • [2024]
    Inclusion Without Proper Support Is AbandonmentVerified FAO Data
    Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario • Report • 2024-06-01
    View
  • [2020]
    Autism ServicesVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2020-07-21
    View
  • [2024]
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan ReviewVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2024-06-05
    View
  • [2026]
    MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports (FOI release CSS2026-0749)Verified FAO Data
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario) • Report • 2026-03-04
    View
About This Article

Written by Spencer Carroll

Founder & Autism Advocate

Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system

Evidence on this page

The source chain stays visible.

Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.

Facts3
Sources3

89,799

children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program

Secondary sourceMCCSS FOI · Mar 2026Verified 2026-06-13

23%

Only 20,633 children have active funding agreements — less than one in four

Secondary sourceMCCSS FOI · Mar 2026Verified 2026-06-13

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

Government / peer-reviewedWorld Health Organization (2023)Verified 2023-11-15
Last system verification: 2026-06-13. Next scheduled update: 2026-09-10.
View methodologyBrowse every source