The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) provides funding for autism services through Childhood Budgets ($5,000-$55,000/year based on needs) and Core Clinical Services. Eligibility requires a formal diagnosis, Ontario residency, and OHIP coverage. Wait times are 2-5+ years, with 60,000+ children currently waiting. Funding covers only 10-15% of actual therapy costs.
Annual Childhood Budget range
Children waiting for services
Average wait time
The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) is the provincial government's system for providing funding and services to children and youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Launched in its current form in 2019 after significant controversy and ongoing reforms, the program aims to provide needs-based support to Ontario families.
The program has two main components: Childhood Budgets, which provide direct funding to families to purchase services from registered providers, and Core Clinical Services, which are delivered directly by government-contracted agencies. Both components have significant wait times that leave many children without critical early intervention.
Direct funding to families based on assessed needs. Families choose their own service providers from the OAP registry and manage their budget.
Evidence-based services delivered by government-contracted providers, including foundational family services and comprehensive clinical services.
Child must be under 18 years of age
ASD diagnosis from a qualified professional (psychologist, psychological associate, or physician)
Must be a resident of Ontario with valid OHIP coverage
Must register through AccessOAP intake organization
Complete psychological assessment confirming ASD diagnosis
Valid Ontario health card for the child
Documentation showing Ontario residence
Identification for the primary caregiver/guardian
OAP Childhood Budgets are determined through a needs assessment process that considers the child's age, diagnosis severity, functional needs, and family circumstances. Budgets are allocated annually and can be used for approved services from registered providers.
| Age Group | Needs Level | Annual Budget | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6 | High Needs | $40,000-$55,000 | 40-50% of intensive therapy |
| Under 6 | Moderate Needs | $20,000-$40,000 | 25-35% of therapy |
| 6-17 | High Needs | $20,000-$35,000 | 20-30% of therapy |
| 6-17 | Moderate Needs | $10,000-$20,000 | 10-20% of therapy |
| All Ages | Lower Needs | $5,000-$10,000 | 5-10% of therapy |
Intensive ABA therapy costs $60,000-$120,000 annually. Even maximum OAP funding of $55,000 leaves families paying $5,000-$65,000+ out of pocket. Average funding of $8,000-$12,000 covers only 2-3 months of recommended therapy.
Families must manage their budgets carefully. Unused funds don't roll over to the next year. Many families supplement OAP funding with private insurance, RDSPs, or remortgaging their homes.
Get your child assessed by a qualified professional (psychologist, psychological associate, or physician with autism expertise). This can be done publicly (12-24 month wait) or privately ($2,500-$4,000).
Contact AccessOAP to register for the Ontario Autism Program. You'll need your child's diagnostic report and OHIP information. Call 1-888-284-3627 or visit ontario.ca/autism.
A care coordinator will assess your child's needs using standardized tools. This determines the funding level for your Childhood Budget.
You'll receive a letter with your Childhood Budget amount. If you disagree with the assessment, you can request a review or appeal.
Choose from registered OAP service providers. You can use your budget for ABA, speech therapy, OT, mental health services, and other approved services.
If registered for Core Clinical Services (intensive therapy), you'll be placed on the waitlist. Current wait times are 2-5+ years depending on region.
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm ET
Closed weekends and statutory holidays
Services must be purchased from providers registered with the OAP. Check the OAP Provider Directory at ontario.ca/autism or call 1-888-284-3627 to verify a provider is registered. Unregistered providers cannot be paid through OAP funding.
Despite ongoing reforms and funding announcements, the Ontario Autism Program remains in crisis. Wait times continue to grow as demand outpaces capacity, and thousands of children are missing their critical early intervention window.
| Service Type | Current Wait | Children Waiting | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Clinical Services | 2-5+ years | 60,000+ | Missing early intervention window |
| Childhood Budget | 12-24 months | Varies | Insufficient funding when received |
| Foundational Services | 6-12 months | Varies | Basic support only |
| Urgent Response | Days-weeks | Limited spots | Crisis situations only |
The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) is the provincial government program that provides funding and services for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder. It includes Childhood Budgets for purchasing services and Core Clinical Services provided directly by the government.
To be eligible for OAP, a child must: be under 18 years old, have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder from a qualified professional, be an Ontario resident with valid OHIP coverage, and be registered with the Ontario Autism Program through an Ontario Autism Program intake organization.
OAP Childhood Budgets range from $5,000 to $55,000 annually based on assessed needs and age. Children under 6 with higher needs may receive up to $55,000/year. Children 6+ typically receive $5,000-$35,000. The average is approximately $8,000-12,000 annually, which covers only 10-15% of actual therapy costs.
Wait times for OAP services range from 18 months to 5+ years depending on region and service type. As of 2025, over 60,000 children are waiting for core clinical services. Childhood Budgets have shorter waits (12-24 months) but provide insufficient funding for intensive therapy.
OAP Childhood Budgets can pay for: ABA therapy from registered providers, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, mental health services, social skills programs, respite care, and equipment/technology. Services must be from providers registered with the OAP.
To apply: 1) Get a formal autism diagnosis from a qualified professional, 2) Register with an Ontario Autism Program intake organization (AccessOAP) at 1-888-284-3627, 3) Complete the needs assessment, 4) Receive your Childhood Budget determination, 5) Select registered service providers.
Current funding is insufficient and wait times are unacceptable. Join 70,000+ families demanding immediate action to fix the Ontario Autism Program.
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