Regional Autism Services
69,166
children waiting
5+
year avg wait
~12,640
in Scarborough
Families in Scarborough face Ontario's province-wide autism crisis: 89,799 children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program but only 23% receive core clinical services. The average wait for funding is 5+ years. An estimated 12,640 autistic children live in Scarborough.
89,799
Province-wide registered
MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports (to Mar 4, 2026), obtained under Freedom of Information (release CSS2026-0749); corroborated by CBC News.
23%
Receiving core services
MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports (to Mar 4, 2026), obtained under Freedom of Information (release CSS2026-0749); corroborated by CBC News.
5+ years
Estimated wait time
OAC Community Survey 2025
12,640
Est. autistic children in Scarborough
Public Health Agency of Canada, 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth
Provincial Data
Data Visualized
Source: MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports (to Mar 4, 2026), obtained under Freedom of Information (release CSS2026-0749); corroborated by CBC News., as of March 2026
Scale Comparison
children registered with OAP
est. autistic children (1 in 50)
only 23% of registered
Who Is Served?
Key Numbers
69,166
children on the waitlist province-wide
5+
year average wait for core services (MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026)
~12,640
estimated autistic children in Scarborough
Diagnostic Services
Getting a formal diagnosis is the first step to accessing OAP funding. These are the primary diagnostic hubs serving Scarborough families.
Therapy Providers
OAP-registered providers deliver core clinical services. Private providers are also available for families who cannot wait.
Education & IEP Rights
Scarborough families attend schools under the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Understanding your child's educational rights, including IEPs (Individual Education Plans) and IPRCs, is vital while waiting for clinical services.
Explore the Region
Explore autism services, provider information, and waitlist context for Scarborough and nearby communities.
Nearest OAP access point: Toronto OAP Regional Office
Diagnostic hub
Diagnostic hub
Diagnostic hub
A legal document outlining your child's learning needs, supports, and goals within the Ontario curriculum.
The formal process to identify your child as exceptional and determine appropriate classroom placement.
Scarborough is served by the Toronto OAP Regional Office. Families face waits of 5+ years for OAP core clinical services. Province-wide, 89,799 children are registered and 23% have active funding agreements.
Register at AccessOAP.ca. Scarborough is part of the Toronto service area. Interim one-time funding ($22,000/year under 6, $5,500/year over 6) is only for children registered before April 1, 2021.
Scarborough Health Network offers paediatric referrals. Surrey Place Centre (downtown Toronto) and SickKids assess children from Scarborough. Private assessments range from $2,500–$4,500 with shorter waits than the public system.
Autism services, providers & waitlist info for Toronto
Autism services, providers & waitlist info for Mississauga
Autism services, providers & waitlist info for Markham
Autism services, providers & waitlist info for Brampton
Costs, coverage & access
SLP services & waitlists
Province-wide numbers
Resources & interim supports
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate