What can I do while I wait?

Stay on the record with regular written status requests, use any family/early-years supports you can access now, and document everything — including what you pay privately.

How much is core funding?

Core funding depends on the child’s age and needs; the published range is $6,600–$65,000/year. What your family would receive is determined through the program’s needs process, not promised in advance.

Parent Navigator

You’re registered and waiting

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

What this means

You’re registered and waiting for core clinical funding. The community-reported wait is 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026). As of May 13, 2026, 71,263 registered children and youth had no active Core Funding Agreement (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026). While you wait, two things matter: staying on the record with regular written status requests, and using any supports available to you now. Core funding amounts depend on a child’s age and needs (the published range is $6,600–$65,000/year), but no one can promise your family a specific amount or date — ask AccessOAP directly.

Ontario Autism Program — registration and eligibility information (retrieved September 8, 2026) · More than 67,500 Ontario kids waiting for core autism funding as demand grows · Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan Review · Verified 2026-07-04

What to do next

Next actions for this stage and sources used for this guide.
Action	What to do	Source
Request a written status update	Every few months, ask AccessOAP — in writing — where your child stands. File each reply.	Ontario Autism Program — registration and eligibility information (retrieved September 8, 2026) More than 67,500 Ontario kids waiting for core autism funding as demand grows Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan Review
Ask what you can access now	Ask AccessOAP what family and early-years supports are available while you wait.	Ontario Autism Program — registration and eligibility information (retrieved September 8, 2026) More than 67,500 Ontario kids waiting for core autism funding as demand grows Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan Review
Track private costs	If you’re paying privately, record every receipt. A running total is powerful evidence.	Ontario Autism Program — registration and eligibility information (retrieved September 8, 2026) More than 67,500 Ontario kids waiting for core autism funding as demand grows Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan Review
Build your timeline	Turn your wait into a dated chronology — the foundation of any escalation.	Ontario Autism Program — registration and eligibility information (retrieved September 8, 2026) More than 67,500 Ontario kids waiting for core autism funding as demand grows Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan Review

What to ask AccessOAP, say it or paste it

I’d like a written update on where my child stands for core clinical funding, including my registration date and what the next step is. Please reply in writing.

What to record

Your registration confirmation
Each written status request and reply
Private therapy receipts
Anything you’re told verbally — then confirm it in writing

Supports that may apply

Ask AccessOAP about foundational family services (caregiver workshops, coaching) available while you wait.
Ask whether caregiver-mediated early-years programs apply to your child.

What not to rely on

“They’ll call when it’s your turn.”: Don’t rely on a call. Ask AccessOAP to put their answer in writing. A verbal answer has no date and no record. A dated written record is what protects you.
“You’re guaranteed a set amount.”: Core funding depends on age and needs. No one can promise your family a specific amount — ask AccessOAP.

If you need to escalate

Ask AccessOAP, in writing — The first move for almost any OAP problem: a written status request.
Your MPP — Your elected representative can raise your case and the systemic problem.
Ombudsman Ontario — Independent oversight of how government bodies handled your case.

Common questions

: The community-reported wait is 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026). As of May 13, 2026, 71,263 registered children and youth had no active Core Funding Agreement (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026). AccessOAP has not published individual wait predictions — ask them, in writing, where your child stands.
: Stay on the record with regular written status requests, use any family/early-years supports you can access now, and document everything — including what you pay privately.
: Core funding depends on the child’s age and needs; the published range is $6,600–$65,000/year. What your family would receive is determined through the program’s needs process, not promised in advance.

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
2026-03-30Research source	More than 67,500 Ontario kids waiting for core autism funding as demand grows	CBC News	Research source
2024-06-05Government source	Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan Review	Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO)	Government source

Last updated: 2026-07-04