Has the government "cleared" the autism backlog?
Government claims of "clearing the backlog" refer only to sending initial administrative invitations, not delivering therapy. While 87,692 children are registered, only 23% receive core clinical services. [FOI] Thousands of "cleared" families merely receive a one-time $5,500 check which covers less than 6 weeks of therapy.
Source: FOI Data & Ontario Autism Coalition [OAC] · View SourceCurrent data on the Ontario Autism Program waitlist. 87,692 children are waiting for a system that was promised to be cleared.
Children currently registered and waiting for Core Clinical Services in Ontario.
For Core Clinical Services
Only ~19k of 87k served
Typical OAP funding covers only a fraction of clinical costs.
Watch the waitlist explode over the last 7 years of policy inaction.
Our data is derived from official government reports and independent oversight bodies to ensure accuracy and neutrality.
While waiting for OAP services, there are steps you can take to support your child and advocate for change.
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"My son was fourteen months old when doctors diagnosed him with severe, non-verbal autism. They said one thing clearly: early intervention is critical—the window closes by six. We registered immediately. That was September 2021. He's five now. We're still waiting."
Four years of phone calls. Two MP interventions. An ombudsman complaint. Emails to the Premier, the Minister, AccessOAP. Silence. Form letters. Nothing.
We've paid thousands out of pocket for speech therapy, OT, whatever we could afford. The intensive behavioral support he actually needs costs more per month than most families spend on rent. We're not wealthy. We've been drowning.
Then the World Health Organization shared our story—not as inspiration, but as indictment. A Canadian father waiting years for services that should take weeks. Proof that Ontario's system violates global standards for disability rights.
I built this organization because it should have existed when we needed it. I filed a human rights complaint because silence wasn't working. Carroll v. Ontario argues what thousands of families already know: making disabled children wait years for medically necessary services during their critical developmental window may constitute discrimination under Ontario's Human Rights Code.
Spencer Carroll
Founder & Parent Advocate
Applicant, Carroll v. Ontario (HRTO 2025-62264-I)
87,692
Registered
~20,293
In Services
~1 in 4
Accessing Care
HRTO Case Disclaimer
The legal claims in Carroll v. Ontario (HRTO 2025-62264-I) involve specific individual circumstances and are distinct from the general advocacy positions expressed on this website. This case alleges that wait times during documented critical developmental windows may constitute discrimination under Ontario's Human Rights Code.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is independently verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: February 1, 2026.
Has the government "cleared" the autism backlog?
Government claims of "clearing the backlog" refer only to sending initial administrative invitations, not delivering therapy. While 87,692 children are registered, only 23% receive core clinical services. [FOI] Thousands of "cleared" families merely receive a one-time $5,500 check which covers less than 6 weeks of therapy.
Source: FOI Data & Ontario Autism Coalition [OAC] · View SourceCurrent data on the Ontario Autism Program waitlist. 87,692 children are waiting for a system that was promised to be cleared.
Children currently registered and waiting for Core Clinical Services in Ontario.
For Core Clinical Services
Only ~19k of 87k served
Typical OAP funding covers only a fraction of clinical costs.
Watch the waitlist explode over the last 7 years of policy inaction.
Our data is derived from official government reports and independent oversight bodies to ensure accuracy and neutrality.
While waiting for OAP services, there are steps you can take to support your child and advocate for change.
Loading Instagram embed...
"My son was fourteen months old when doctors diagnosed him with severe, non-verbal autism. They said one thing clearly: early intervention is critical—the window closes by six. We registered immediately. That was September 2021. He's five now. We're still waiting."
Four years of phone calls. Two MP interventions. An ombudsman complaint. Emails to the Premier, the Minister, AccessOAP. Silence. Form letters. Nothing.
We've paid thousands out of pocket for speech therapy, OT, whatever we could afford. The intensive behavioral support he actually needs costs more per month than most families spend on rent. We're not wealthy. We've been drowning.
Then the World Health Organization shared our story—not as inspiration, but as indictment. A Canadian father waiting years for services that should take weeks. Proof that Ontario's system violates global standards for disability rights.
I built this organization because it should have existed when we needed it. I filed a human rights complaint because silence wasn't working. Carroll v. Ontario argues what thousands of families already know: making disabled children wait years for medically necessary services during their critical developmental window may constitute discrimination under Ontario's Human Rights Code.
Spencer Carroll
Founder & Parent Advocate
Applicant, Carroll v. Ontario (HRTO 2025-62264-I)
87,692
Registered
~20,293
In Services
~1 in 4
Accessing Care
HRTO Case Disclaimer
The legal claims in Carroll v. Ontario (HRTO 2025-62264-I) involve specific individual circumstances and are distinct from the general advocacy positions expressed on this website. This case alleges that wait times during documented critical developmental windows may constitute discrimination under Ontario's Human Rights Code.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is independently verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: February 1, 2026.