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Budget 2026: $965M budgeted, 69,166 children still waiting. Read our analysis →

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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.

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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

  • 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
  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker
  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider
  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
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  • How to Register
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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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Carroll v. Ontario · HRTO 2025-62264-I

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Has the government cleared the autism backlog?

No. Government claims of "clearing the backlog" refer only to administrative invitations, not actual service delivery. While **89,799 children** are registered, 69,166 still lack funding for clinical therapy. [FOI] March 2026 data confirms that only 23% of children have accessed core services.

Source: OAC FOI Mar 2026

  • CBC FOI Jan 2026: 89,799 registered with OAP (March 4, 2026)
  • CBC FOI Jan 2026: 20,633 enrolled in Core Clinical; 20,633 have active funding (March 2026)
  • WHO: timely access to evidence-based interventions matters
  • Take action: email your representatives
  • Share your story (with consent)
CBC FOI Jan 2026: 89,799 registered with OAP (March 4, 2026)CBC FOI Jan 2026: 20,633 enrolled in Core Clinical; 20,633 have active funding (March 2026)WHO: timely access to evidence-based interventions mattersTake action: email your representativesShare your story (with consent)CBC FOI Jan 2026: 89,799 registered with OAP (March 4, 2026)CBC FOI Jan 2026: 20,633 enrolled in Core Clinical; 20,633 have active funding (March 2026)WHO: timely access to evidence-based interventions mattersTake action: email your representativesShare your story (with consent)CBC FOI Jan 2026: 89,799 registered with OAP (March 4, 2026)CBC FOI Jan 2026: 20,633 enrolled in Core Clinical; 20,633 have active funding (March 2026)WHO: timely access to evidence-based interventions mattersTake action: email your representativesShare your story (with consent)
A child waits alone on a park bench at golden hour, seen from behind

News & Updates

Latest Updates

What's the latest on Ontario autism services?

Latest updates on Ontario autism services, advocacy events, and policy changes, with links to primary sources.

See latest coverageShare your story
News summary

Recent reports show the OAP waitlist has reached 89,799 registered children, with ongoing service gaps in Northern Ontario.

  • Waitlist: 89,799 registered children
  • Events: Queen's Park rally announced for Feb 1
Show all 4 factsShow fewer facts
  • Research: 0-6 year window is critical for outcomes
  • Regional focus: Northern Ontario service desert
Verified: 2026-06-13
Scope: Ontario, Canada

The crisis in the news

Media coverage reflects a provincial pattern, not individual incidents.

Registered

89,79989,799

Children registered

Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue

OAC FOI Mar 2026

Funded

20,63320,633

Have active funding

Only 23% of registered children

OAC FOI Mar 2026

Waiting

69,16669,166

Still waiting

Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.

OAC FOI Mar 2026

Verified June 13, 2026 , OAC FOI Mar 2026

Share these numbers
Ontario Autism Program key statistics (OAC FOI Mar 2026, verified 2026-06-13)
MetricValue
Children registered89,799
Have active funding20,633
Still waiting69,166

Latest articles

Radio Interview Mar 31, 2026

CBC Ottawa Morning: Spencer Carroll live on radio

Spencer Carroll interviewed on CBC Radio One about his son's wait for autism services. Follow-up to the CBC News investigation. Aired to Ottawa's political and public-service audience.

Read more
Investigation Mar 30, 2026

CBC investigation: 89,799 Ontario kids waiting for core autism funding

CBC News obtained 18 months of bi-weekly OAP progress reports via FOI, revealing 89,799 registered children and only 23% funded. Features End The Wait Ontario.

Read more
Budget Response Mar 27, 2026

Trillium: OAC asks for $186M to go 'exclusively' to core therapies

Ontario Autism Coalition calls on government to direct the $186M budget increase exclusively to core clinical services. Spencer Carroll calls for independent audit authority.

Read more
Press Release Jan 15, 2025

Waitlist reaches 89,799 registered children

New data shows the waitlist has grown to 89,799 children, leaving thousands more without core clinical services.

Read more
Event Feb 01, 2025

Rally at Queen's Park announced

Families and advocates will gather to ask for immediate action on the autism services backlog.

Read more
Report Dec 10, 2024

WHO releases new early intervention guidelines

WHO emphasizes the importance of the 0-6 year window for neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Read more
Investigation Nov 22, 2024

Northern Ontario service desert

Report on the shortage of providers in Northern communities, where some families travel 4 hours for therapy.

Read more

Take action

Help end the wait

Your voice matters. Join thousands of Ontario families fighting for timely autism services.

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 • 2024-02-29
    View
  • [2025]
    Ontario Autism Coalition FOI update on Ontario Autism Program registrations and fundingVerified FAO Data
    Ontario Autism Coalition • Report • 2025-12-10
    View

Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.

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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

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

OAP registrations jumped 21% since mid-2024, with the number of funded children dipping in some periods despite hundreds more registering

SecondaryNicole Brockbank & Angelina King (2026)Verified: 2026-03-30

$965M, Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27

Gov / Peer-ReviewedGovernment of Ontario, Ministry of Finance (2026)Verified: 2026-03-26

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
View our methodologyView all sourcesNext data update: 2026-09-10