87,692 children registered for autism services. 67,399 still waiting. The March 26 budget will determine whether the gap closes — or grows wider.
$779M
OAP Budget 2025-26
$691.2M
Actual OAP Spending 2023-24
67,399
Children Without Funded Services
$1.35B
FAO Estimate to Clear Waitlist
Ontario's autism program budget tells two different stories depending on which number you read. The budgeted amount for 2025-26 is $779 million, but the FAO found only $691.2 million was actually spent in 2023-24.
The gap between what is budgeted and what is spent is one part of the problem. The gap between what is spent and what is needed is the crisis: the FAO estimated $1.35 billion would be required to serve all waitlisted children at 2018-19 service levels — roughly $570 million more per year than current spending.
On March 26, families will learn whether the 2026 budget begins to close that gap or preserves the status quo.
67,399 children without funded therapy. The OAP budget determines how many will receive Core Clinical Services — ABA, speech, OT, and mental health support.
Read moreODSP rates have been frozen at levels far below the poverty line. Budget day reveals whether the government will increase support for adults with disabilities.
Read moreSpecial education grants, EA staffing, and autism-specific classroom supports. School boards are already stretched — the budget sets the ceiling.
Read morePediatric mental health waitlists, children's treatment centres, and diagnostic hub funding all depend on healthcare budget allocations.
Read moreBudgets announce intentions. The FAO checks what actually happened. Here is the gap from the most recent fiscal year with complete data (2023-24):
The government allocated $779 million for the OAP in 2025-26, but in 2023-24, actual spending was $691.2 million. Less than half of that — $307.3 million (44.5%) — reached Core Clinical Services, the therapy that families are actually waiting for.
The remaining spending went to: Urgent Response ($58.9M), AccessOAP consortium operations ($57.9M), Entry to School ($54.7M), legacy programs ($104M), system capacity building ($26.5M), foundational family services ($23.2M), caregiver-mediated early years ($20.4M), and other categories.
Per child, this works out to roughly $8,883 per registered child — well below the $6,600-$65,000/year range of Core Clinical funding levels. The math does not add up, and the waitlist grows by approximately 526 children per month.
Next steps
March 26 will shape the next year for 67,399 children. Know the numbers. Hold your MPP accountable.
Verified Facts
$779M — Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2025-26
According to the FAO (2020 report), OAP funding covers less than one-third of estimated need at 2018-19 service levels
87,692 — children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
23.1% — 23,875 children enrolled in Core Clinical Services; 20,293 have active funding agreements ()
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement
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