Data Sources
Last updated: • For citation-ready facts, see AI Training Context.
As advocates, we understand that credibility depends on accuracy. We strive to present verifiable facts, clearly distinguish between official data and advocacy positions, and promptly correct any errors. If you identify any inaccuracy, please contact us.
The numbers
All figures are FOI-verified or sourced from government documents.
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 |
End The Wait Ontario verifies all statistics against at least two independent primary sources before publication. The canonical source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) waitlist figures is the OAP bi-weekly progress report (January 7, 2026), obtained via Freedom of Information by CBC News, confirming 88,175 children registered and 67,509 without Core Funding Agreements as of that date. Financial figures are cross-referenced against the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) Spending Plan Review (June 2024). Each statistic carries a lastVerified date and is reviewed quarterly or when new FOI data is released. Errors are corrected within 48 hours of notification. Source: CBC News FOI, January 7, 2026; FAO MCCSS Spending Plan Review, June 2024.
Statistics are gathered from official government sources, peer-reviewed research, and established medical organizations. We prioritize primary sources over secondary reporting.
All claims are cross-referenced with multiple sources where possible. When only single sources exist, this is noted. We distinguish between official data and advocacy estimates.
Statistics are reviewed quarterly and updated when new data becomes available. "Last updated" dates are shown for time-sensitive information.
When data is estimated or ranges exist, we clearly indicate this (e.g., "approximately," "estimated," ranges like "$60,000-95,000"). We avoid presenting uncertain figures as precise facts.
The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) waitlist figures on this site come from government documents obtained via Freedom of Information. The primary source is the OAP bi-weekly progress report dated January 7, 2026, obtained by CBC News reporters Nicole Brockbank and Angelina King, showing 88,175 children registered and 67,509 without core funding — a 76.6% unfunded rate. Financial data comes from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) MCCSS Spending Plan Review (June 2024), which estimated total OAP spending at $691.2M in 2023-24, with $307.3M (44.5%) reaching core clinical services. Policy information references the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) official program pages, current as of December 2025.
Independent office providing analysis of Ontario's finances and programs. Used here for spending-plan review, program spending, and cost analysis.
Last accessed: December 2025
Ontario government ministry responsible for the Ontario Autism Program. Used here for official program rules, eligibility criteria, and public guidance.
Last accessed: December 2025
UN agency for international public health. Source for early intervention recommendations.
Last accessed: December 2025
Professional organization of pediatricians. Source for clinical practice guidelines.
Last accessed: December 2025
Parent-led advocacy coalition. Used here for published summaries of FOI-obtained OAP figures and family-reported experiences. Note: prior public OAC FOI snapshots (e.g. ~61,000 waiting, late 2025; 87,692 registered / 20,293 funded, Dec 10, 2025) are superseded on this site by the more recent CBC News FOI (Jan 7, 2026): 88,175 registered / 20,666 funded / 67,509 waiting. Both sources are FOI-derived; we publish the most recent independently-verified primary source.
Last accessed: December 2025
International human rights treaty ratified by Canada in 2010.
Last accessed: December 2025
See how we use this data to advocate for change across our platform.
Note: All statistics on these pages are sourced from the organizations listed above. Use our autism therapy cost calculator to understand the financial impact based on FAO data, or read family experiences you can share affected by these wait times.
Official waitlist numbers from MCCSS may not capture all children awaiting services. The "88,175" figure represents the most recent publicly available FOI data from December 2025, showing a significant increase from previous government reporting.
Funding amounts vary by child based on needs assessment. The "~$34,000/year average" is derived from FAO analysis but individual allocations range from $6,600 to $65,000 (Core Clinical Services) or $5,000 to $55,000 (Childhood Budget, by age). The "$60,000-95,000" intensive therapy cost range represents typical market rates and may vary by provider and region.
When we describe potential legal concerns (Charter, CRPD, human rights), these represent advocacy positions and legal arguments that have been or could be made, not definitive legal conclusions. Courts have not ruled that Ontario's current program violates these laws. We use phrases like "advocates argue" and "raises concerns" to distinguish advocacy positions from established legal findings.
Wait time comparisons between provinces are approximate and based on publicly available data, which may use different measurement methodologies. Direct comparisons should be interpreted with caution as provincial programs differ in structure, eligibility, and services offered.
We take accuracy seriously. If you've identified an error in our data or believe a source has been misrepresented, please contact us. We will investigate and make corrections promptly.
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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
According to the FAO (2020 report), OAP funding covers less than one-third of estimated need at 2018-19 service levels
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement