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Press & Media
Press Kit
Quick Summary
- Official media resources, fact sheets, and contact for journalists.
- Verified data on 88,175 children waiting for Ontario autism services.
Media Inquiries
For interviews, fact-checking, and comments from our leadership team, use the contact form.
Key Statistics
Copy-ready headline numbers for journalists
Registered Children
88,175
CBC FOI, Jan 2026
Without Core Funding
67,509 (76.6%)
CBC FOI, Jan 2026
Average Wait
5+ Years
FAO reports, parent surveys
Annual Budget
$965M vs $1.35B needed
Ontario Budget 2026-27 / FAO
Growth Since 2019
~280%
OAP redesign baseline: ~23,000
Net Monthly Growth
+402/mo
Unfunded children added monthly
Key Facts for Journalists
Copy-paste ready facts with sources for your reporting.
88,175 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program as of the latest FOI data (December 2025). Source: Ontario Autism Coalition FOI response.
67,509 children are waiting for core clinical services funding. Source: FOI data, December 2025.
The average wait for core clinical services exceeds 5 years. Source: FAO reports, parent surveys.
OAP core clinical services funding ranges from $6,600 to $65,000 per year based on Determination of Needs assessment. Source: Ontario MCCSS.
Intensive ABA therapy costs $60,000 to $95,000 per year privately. Source: FAO 2020 MCCSS Spending Plan Review.
The WHO emphasizes timely access to early evidence-based intervention for autism. Source: WHO Autism Fact Sheet.
WHO Guidance on Autism
WHO recommends early access to evidence-based psychosocial interventions for children with autism. Ontario's 5+ year average wait contradicts this guidance. ETWO is not affiliated with or endorsed by WHO.
WHO Autism Fact SheetPrimary Data Sources
- Ontario Autism Coalition FOI (Dec 2025) — Registration counts, enrollment data, funding agreements
- Financial Accountability Office of Ontario — MCCSS Spending Plan Review, budget projections ($1.35B needed)
- Ontario Budget 2026-27 — Current $965M OAP allocation
- PHAC — Prevalence rate of 1 in 50 (Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth)
Media Contact
For interviews, fact-checking, data requests, and spokesperson availability, contact us directly. We aim to respond to media inquiries within 24 hours.
Media Coverage
Verified media appearances and coverage of End The Wait Ontario and the Ontario autism waitlist crisis.
CBC Ottawa Morning (Radio One)March 31, 2026
Ottawa boy one of 67,500 Ontario kids waiting for core supports — Live interview with Spencer Carroll
CBC News (Toronto Enterprise Unit)March 30, 2026
More than 67,500 Ontario kids waiting for core autism funding as demand grows — Features End The Wait Ontario
The Trillium (Queen's Park Press Gallery)March 27, 2026
Advocacy group calls for new autism program funding to go 'exclusively' to core therapies — Features Spencer Carroll
The Trillium (Queen's Park Press Gallery)March 25, 2026
Ottawa dad says he's trying to boost 'accountability' with autism waitlist website
WHO official channel (@who)October 29, 2025
Autism early intervention video shared on official World Health Organization channels featuring Spencer Carroll
CBC NewsMarch 2024
Ontario autism waitlist grows to record levels as families face years-long wait for services
CityNews TorontoMarch 2024
Ontario autism services waitlist continues to grow as families demand action
Downloadable Assets
Cite Our Data
Use this citation format for reports, articles, and briefings that reference our verified Ontario autism waitlist statistics.
End The Wait Ontario. (2026). Ontario Autism Waitlist Facts (FOI latest available data (2026)). https://www.endthewaitontario.com/factsOur data is drawn exclusively from government publications, Freedom of Information responses, and statutory officers' reports. We apply triple-verification against primary sources. Full methodology: endthewaitontario.com/evidence/methodology
Shareable Statistics Graphics
Download branded stat cards for articles, reports, and social posts. Each image includes “Source: endthewaitontario.com” attribution — so every share creates a citation.
67,509 Waiting — Download PNG
88,175 Registered — Download PNG
5+ Year Wait — Download PNG
20,666 Funded — Download PNG
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End The Wait Ontario is non-partisan. We encourage families to engage with elected representatives of all parties. Our advocacy is based exclusively on verified government data, not political affiliation.
Verified References & Sources
Updated:Government Reports & Data
[2020]
Autism ServicesVerified FAO Data
Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2020-07-21
[2024]
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan ReviewVerified FAO Data
Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2024-02-29
[2025]
Ontario Autism Coalition FOI update on Ontario Autism Program registrations and fundingVerified FAO Data
Ontario Autism Coalition • Report • 2025-12-10
[2024]
Diagnostic Hub Waitlist Data — FOI Response (Trillium Health Partners hospital system, not The Trillium newspaper)Verified FAO Data
Trillium Health Partners (hospital) • Report • 2024-03-15
Official Government Sources
[2025]
Canada Disability Benefit - How much you could receiveGovernment Source
Government of Canada • Government • 2025-06-20
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.
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.
About This Article
Written by:Spencer Carroll - Founder & Autism Advocate
Verified Facts
Facts cited on this page
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
According to the FAO (2020 report), OAP funding covers less than one-third of estimated need at 2018-19 service levels
$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