Advocacy group calls for new autism program funding to go 'exclusively' to core therapies

The 2026 Ontario Budget announced $186 million in additional funding for the Ontario Autism Program, bringing total planned spending to $965 million — up from $779 million in 2025-26. The budget stated this would "enable more children and youth to access core clinical services."

But the Ontario Autism Coalition immediately pushed back, calling on the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to direct this funding exclusively to Core Clinical Services — not to foundational services, workshops, or administrative overhead.

The OAC's Position

We are grateful to see the government move away from the cycle of temporary funding patches.

Foundational services and one-time workshops have their place, but they are not a substitute for the intensive, evidence-based therapy like ABA, SLP, and OT that children need to thrive. This budget increase will only be a success if it translates directly into more 'Invitation to Core Clinical Services' letters landing in parents' mailboxes.

End The Wait Ontario in the Story

Spencer Carroll echoed the OAC's demand for core-only funding — and went further, calling for independent audit authority over how program funds are spent.

Every new dollar should be directed to core clinical services with independent audit authority over how public funds are spent across the program. Without that, families have no way to verify whether this investment reaches a therapist's office or stops somewhere upstream.

Calling this the largest investment in program history is giving yourself a participation trophy. The waitlist is also the largest in program history.

Academic Perspective

Janet McLaughlin, an associate professor of health studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, noted that while the increase was welcome, the backlog is so substantial that most families will still face long delays.

Any increase in autism funding is welcome news for families who have been waiting far too long for services — unfortunately, the backlog to enter core services is so substantial that most families will likely still face long delays.

McLaughlin also called for additional funding for the education system, housing, and long-term supports for youth and adults with autism — areas the budget did not address.

Published by The Trillium, March 27, 2026, by Sneh Duggal. Read the full article on thetrillium.ca