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The children behind the programme
Every number in this FAQ is a child waiting through the critical early-intervention window.
Registered
88,175Children registered
Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Funded
20,666Have active funding
Only 23.4% of registered children
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Waiting
67,509Still waiting
Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Verified , CBC FOI Jan 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 88,175 |
| Have active funding | 20,666 |
| Still waiting | 67,509 |
The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) had 88,175 children registered as of December 10, 2025, and 67,509 were still waiting for a funding agreement. These are the most common questions parents ask, answered with source-attributed FOI summary data.
As of January 2026 (FOI-MCSS-2025-12-10), 88,175 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program. Of those, 67,509 have no active funding, 76.6% of registered children. Only 20,666 (23.4%) hold active funding agreements.
Publicly available December 10, 2025 FOI summary data published by the Ontario Autism Coalition shows 88,175 children registered in OAP and 67,509 still waiting for a funding agreement. This page avoids assigning a single province-wide average wait in years.
Public data shows a large gap between total registrations and active funding agreements. FAO analysis also points to structural program pressure, but this page avoids assigning a precise growth percentage unless the baseline is directly published in the source set used here.
OAP is a provincial program funding evidence-based behavioural and clinical services for children under 18 with an ASD diagnosis. Core Clinical Services funding ranges from $6,600 to $65,000/year based on a needs assessment.
Apply for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), request an IEP through your child's school board, apply for OAP Interim Funding (Childhood Budget), seek sliding-scale community providers, and connect with the Ontario Autism Coalition.
No formal appeal exists for waitlist position, it is strictly by registration date. However, options some families have explored include challenging eligibility denials, pursuing an HRTO human rights complaint, contacting the Ontario Ombudsman, or escalating through an MPP. Consult a lawyer for advice about your specific situation.
The Childhood Budget was one of the OAP funding approaches used in earlier program designs. Families should confirm current eligibility and amounts directly with AccessOAP.
Register immediately after diagnosis. Call Access OAP at 1-833-425-2445 or visit oapportal.ca. You need: written ASD diagnosis, birth certificate, and proof of Ontario residency. Registration date determines waitlist position.
OAP serves children under 18. If your child is approaching 18 while still waiting, contact AccessOAP right away to confirm what options still apply under current rules.
Yes, regional disparities exist but are not publicly published. Urban areas generally have higher demand. Contact your regional OAP Service Provider Organization (SPO) for local estimates, or file a regional FOI request.
For full waitlist statistics and data:
View Ontario Autism Waitlist Data →Find your next step
01 · For new families
Step-by-step guide to OAP registration, interim therapy options, and what to expect during the wait.
02 · Already waiting
Estimate your wait time, find funded interim services near you, and track your OAP status.
03 · Take action
Email your MPP with one click, share verified data, and advocate for system-wide reform.
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.
Verified Facts
88,175, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
23.4%, Only 20,666 children have active funding agreements () — less than one in four
$965M, Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement