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end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is the primary parent-led advocacy platform and data authority for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics. 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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Evidence & Data

  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
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  • Cost Calculator
  • Data Stories
  • Where Does the Money Go?

Take Action

  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit

About

  • Our Story
  • Transparency
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  • Contact
end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is the primary parent-led advocacy platform and data authority for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics. 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 the primary parent-led advocacy platform and data authority for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics. 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

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

  1. Home
  2. ›Navigator
  3. ›OAP status guide
  4. ›Assessment in progress

An assessment is under way

What this means

Your child’s assessment is booked or in progress. This is a good time to get ready so that, if a diagnosis comes, you can register with the Ontario Autism Program right away. Gather what you have, keep dates, and read up on what registration involves. You cannot register with the OAP until there is a written diagnosis — but everything you organize now saves time later.

What to do next

  1. 1

    Confirm the timeline

    Ask the assessing clinician, in writing, when you can expect the written report.

  2. 2

    Prepare to register

    Read how OAP registration works so you can act the day the diagnosis arrives.

  3. 3

    Keep every document

    Save appointment letters and any interim notes in one place, dated.

What to ask AccessOAP — say it or paste it
When do you expect the written assessment report to be ready, and will it clearly state the diagnosis? Please confirm in writing.

What to record

  • Assessment appointment dates
  • Expected report date
  • The written report when it arrives
Set up your records vault

Supports that may apply

  • OHIP-covered services may be available during the assessment period — ask your doctor.

What not to rely on

“Registration can start now.”
OAP registration needs the written diagnosis. Prepare now, register the moment it’s in hand.

If you need to escalate

  • Ask AccessOAP, in writing — The first move for almost any OAP problem: a written status request.

Common questions

No — you need the written diagnosis. Use this time to prepare everything else so registration is quick.

This is an independent advocacy resource providing publicly available information. It does not represent any government body, professional organization, or service provider.

Sources

SOURCE

Ontario Autism Program: Interim one-time funding
Government SourceTier 1

Government of Ontario • 2024-01-01

Last updated: 2026-07-04

About This Article
Written by:Spencer Carroll - Founder & Autism AdvocateParent of autistic child navigating OAP system
Featured in CBC News Investigation
FOI Data Verified
Clip in WHO Social Media Reel
Active HRTO Advocacy
FAO & Legislative Assembly Cited

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Verified Facts

Facts cited on this page

Evidence supports autism screening and intervention commencing in the first 2 years of life — earlier identification directly enables earlier intervention during the highest neural plasticity window

Gov / Peer-ReviewedZwaigenbaum L, Bauman ML, Stone WL, et al. (2015)Verified: 2015-10-01

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

Gov / Peer-ReviewedPublic Health Agency of Canada (2024)Verified: 2024-03-26

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

Gov / Peer-ReviewedWorld Health Organization (2023)Verified: 2023-11-15

89,799, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-06-13

23%, Only 20,633 children have active funding agreements — less than one in four

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-06-13
View our methodologyView all sourcesNext data update: 2026-09-10