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Budget 2026: $965M budgeted, 69,166 children still waiting. Read our analysis →

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end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is the primary parent-led advocacy platform and data authority for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

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end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is the primary parent-led advocacy platform and data authority for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

Getting Started

  • Browse All Pages
  • Search
  • Diagnosis Guide
  • While You Wait
  • Facts (Citation Ready)

Common Questions

  • All Questions
  • How Long Is the Wait?
  • What Is the OAP?
  • How Many Are Waiting?
  • Options While Waiting
  • Funding Amounts

Tools

  • Parent Navigator
  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker

Providers

  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider

Funding & Support

  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP

Your Region

  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton
  • London
  • Mississauga
  • All Regions

Evidence & Data

  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
  • Waitlist Data
  • Cost Calculator
  • Data Stories
  • Where Does the Money Go?

Take Action

  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit

About

  • Our Story
  • Transparency
  • Media References
  • Founder
  • Press
  • Contact
end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is the primary parent-led advocacy platform and data authority for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

  • Browse All Pages
  • Search
  • Diagnosis Guide
  • While You Wait
  • Facts (Citation Ready)
  • All Questions
  • How Long Is the Wait?
  • What Is the OAP?
  • How Many Are Waiting?
  • Options While Waiting
  • Funding Amounts
  • Parent Navigator
  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker
  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider
  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP
  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton
  • London
  • Mississauga
  • All Regions
  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
  • Waitlist Data
  • Cost Calculator
  • Data Stories
  • Where Does the Money Go?
  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit
  • Our Story
  • Transparency
  • Media References
  • Founder
  • Press
  • Contact

Legal Disclaimer: This website presents advocacy arguments based on publicly available data and legal frameworks. While we strive for accuracy, this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Nothing on this website should be construed as a guarantee of any specific legal outcome.

Independence: End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led advocacy group. We are not affiliated with the Ontario government, the Ontario Autism Coalition, Autism Ontario, or the World Health Organization. We cite FOI data obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition as a matter of public record. This does not constitute affiliation. References to these organizations are for informational purposes; no endorsement is implied.

Non-partisan policy advocacy: We advocate on policy outcomes for children and families and do not endorse any political party or candidate.

Statistics are current as of the dates cited and may change. For specific legal guidance, consult a licensed attorney. For medical advice, consult qualified healthcare professionals. Last updated: 2026.

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Carroll v. Ontario · HRTO 2025-62264-I

© 2026 End The Wait Ontario. All rights reserved. · Parent-led advocacy · Not a government agency

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Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs
Services

Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs: Parent Coaching for Autism

OAP-funded programs for young children (12-48 months) that teach parents and caregivers strategies to support their child's development. Evidence-based approaches delivered in home or community settings.

How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?

As of March 4, 2026, **89,799 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program**. [FOI] However, only **20,633 (23%)** have an active Core Funding Agreement. This represents approximately 290% growth in registrations since 2019, with 69,166 children still waiting for essential funding.

Source: OAC FOI Mar 2026, FAO Report 2024

Is the Ontario Autism Program underfunded?

Yes. The Financial Accountability Office (FAO) determined that **$1.35 billion annually** is needed to serve all registered children at 2018-19 service levels. The 2026-27 Ontario Budget allocated **$965 million**, leaving an estimated **$385M+ annual shortfall**. [FAO, Ontario Budget 2026] This gap is the primary driver of the perpetual 89,799+ child waitlist.

Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO]

  1. Home
  2. ›Services
  3. ›Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs

Quick Summary

  • Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs is a caregiver mediated service under the Ontario Autism Program.
  • This service is government-funded through OAP at no cost to families.
  • Evidence level: strong. Critical window: ages 12-48 months for maximum impact.

Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs at a Glance

caregiver mediated

OAP Category

Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

Free (OAP-funded)

Cost to Families

Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

strong

Evidence Level

WHO Standards for Autism Intervention

5+ years

OAP Wait Time

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.

OAP-funded programs for young children (12-48 months) that teach parents and caregivers strategies to support their child's development. Evidence-based approaches delivered in home or community settings. While Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs is considered highly effective, especially during the critical window of ages 12-48 months for maximum impact, families depending on the Ontario Autism Program face a severe bottleneck. Currently, 77% of registered children are waiting to access core services like Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs.

Cost and Funding

Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs is a government-funded OAP service. There is no cost to families. Your child must be registered with the Ontario Autism Program to access this service. Contact your AccessOAP service coordinator to confirm eligibility and availability in your region.

Next Steps

Every Voice Matters. Every Letter Counts.

Join thousands of Ontario families advocating for evidence-based reforms to autism services.

Calculate Your CostsLearn About Funding Options

Frequently Asked Questions: Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs

These are free OAP programs for children aged 12-48 months that teach parents strategies to support their child's social communication and development. Programs like Project ImPACT and Early Start Denver Model are offered.

Your child must be registered with OAP and aged 12-48 months. Contact AccessOAP to express interest. No diagnosis is required for early years programs.

Yes, Ontario offers programs with strong evidence including Project ImPACT, Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and Social ABCs. These approaches improve child outcomes through parent coaching.

Explore Other Autism Services

Related Resources

  • Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

    Evidence-based therapy that uses principles of learning to i…

  • Speech-Language Pathology

    Speech-language pathology addresses communication challenges…

  • Occupational Therapy

    Occupational therapy helps children develop skills for daily…

  • Mental Health Services

    Psychological and psychiatric services for autistic children…

  • OAP Waitlist Crisis

    Understand the bottleneck

  • What To Do While Waiting

    Resources & interim supports

Verified References & Sources

Updated: Mar 2026

Government Reports & Data

  • [2023]
    Exclusion of Students With Disabilities — 2023 SurveyVerified FAO Data
    Community Living Ontario • Report • 2023-10-01
    View
  • [2024]
    Inclusion Without Proper Support Is AbandonmentVerified FAO Data
    Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario • Report • 2024-06-01
    View
  • [2020]
    Autism ServicesVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2020-07-21
    View
  • [2024]
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan ReviewVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2024-02-29
    View
  • [2026]
    MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports (FOI release CSS2026-0749)Verified FAO Data
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario) • Report • 2026-03-04
    View

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.

About This Article
Written by:Spencer Carroll - Founder & Autism AdvocateParent of autistic child navigating OAP system
Featured in CBC News Investigation
FOI Data Verified
Clip in WHO Social Media Reel
Active HRTO Advocacy
FAO & Legislative Assembly Cited

Where do you start?

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The quickest routes to diagnosis guidance, evidence, practical support, and advocacy.

Not sure where to start?Answer a few questions — get your personalized next stepsJust diagnosed?First steps after an autism diagnosisAlready waiting?What to do while on the waitlistSee the dataFOI-backed charts, methods, and evidenceWant change?Email Your MPP (2 min)
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Verified Facts

Facts cited on this page

89,799, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-06-13

23%, Only 20,633 children have active funding agreements — less than one in four

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-06-13

OAP registrations jumped 21% since mid-2024, with the number of funded children dipping in some periods despite hundreds more registering

SecondaryNicole Brockbank & Angelina King (2026)Verified: 2026-03-30

$965M, Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27

Gov / Peer-ReviewedGovernment of Ontario, Ministry of Finance (2026)Verified: 2026-03-26

WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement

Gov / Peer-ReviewedWorld Health Organization (2023)Verified: 2023-11-15
View our methodologyView all sourcesNext data update: 2026-09-10