Is my adult child still eligible for the OAP?

The OAP serves children and youth. For adults, the path is Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) and adult income/disability supports.

Parent Navigator

For youth 18 and over

A plain-language explanation of this stage and the next steps available to your family.

What this means

Your child is 18 or older, beyond the Ontario Autism Program, which serves children and youth. The path now is adult developmental services through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO), along with adult income and disability supports. If you haven’t already connected with DSO, that’s the next step — it has its own eligibility and wait. This isn’t a dead end; it’s a different door.

Ontario Autism Program — registration and eligibility information (retrieved September 8, 2026) · Verified 2026-07-04

What to do next

Next actions for this stage and sources used for this guide.
Action	What to do	Source
Connect with DSO	Contact Developmental Services Ontario to begin or continue the adult-services process.	Ontario Autism Program — registration and eligibility information (retrieved September 8, 2026)
Review adult benefits	Look at adult income and disability supports your family may be eligible for.	Ontario Autism Program — registration and eligibility information (retrieved September 8, 2026)
Keep your records	Adult services need the diagnosis and assessment history — keep them together.	Ontario Autism Program — registration and eligibility information (retrieved September 8, 2026)

What to ask AccessOAP, say it or paste it

My child is 18 or older. What adult developmental services are available through DSO, and how do I apply? Please reply in writing.

What to record

DSO application and eligibility documents
Diagnosis and assessment history
Benefit applications

Supports that may apply

Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) for adult developmental services.
Adult income and disability benefit programs.

What not to rely on

“There’s nothing after the OAP.”: Adult developmental services through DSO are the continuing path. Connect with them to understand your options.

If you need to escalate

Your MPP — Your elected representative can raise your case and the systemic problem.
Community legal clinic / ARCH — Legal help for low-income families and disability-rights matters.

Common questions

: The OAP serves children and youth. For adults, the path is Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) and adult income/disability supports.

Set up your records vault

Evidence for this guide

Evidence for this guide
Date	Record	Publisher	Source type
2026-09-08Government source	Ontario Autism Program — registration and eligibility information (retrieved September 8, 2026)	Government of Ontario	Government source

Last updated: 2026-07-04