New here? Start with our 2-minute guide to OAP registration , no sign-up required.
This guide separates Ontario-wide OAP context from local provider records. Confirm current fees, intake, and eligibility directly.
How to compare OAP-funded and private social skills groups in Sault Ste Marie; confirm current details directly.
Three steps to access social skills groups through OAP or private funding.
DSO Northern Ontario is the Developmental Services Ontario regional intake contact for Sault Ste. Marie — 705-560-0303.
Sault Ste. Marie is served by Superior-Greenstone District School Board and Superior-Greenstone Catholic District School Board, for families coordinating school-based supports alongside OAP-funded therapy.
Ontario Autism Program — Program Guidelines (Core Clinical Services funding tiers)
Government of Ontario (2026-03-10)
AccessOAP — Childhood Budgets and Core Clinical Services
AccessOAP / Government of Ontario (2024)
BACB Certificant Registry
Behavior Analyst Certification Board (2024)
CASLPO Public Register of Members
College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (2024)
COTO Public Register
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (2024)
OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports — FOI response (scoped access evidence; not a province-wide average)
MCCSS, obtained under Freedom of Information; corroborated by CBC News (2026-03)
Assistive Devices Program — Communication Aids
Government of Ontario (2025)
Local service guide
This guide separates province-wide cost and wait context from the local provider list. Local provider records are not an endorsement or a promise of intake.
Regional wait figures are not substituted for the Ontario-wide wait shown in this guide. Check each provider directly for current intake.
Source check: 2026-08-06
| Factor | OAP-Funded | Private (Out-of-Pocket) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (Ontario-Wide) | Eligible under OAP Core Clinical Services when delivered by approved provider | Provider-specific; confirm current fees directly per session |
| Annual Budget | $6,600–$65,000/year (Core Clinical Services Childhood Budget, shared across all OAP-eligible therapies, not per therapy) | Provider-specific; confirm current fees directly |
| Wait Time (OAP: Ontario-Wide) | Not published as a comparable province-wide average | Confirm current intake directly |
| OHIP Coverage | N/A (OAP, not OHIP) | Not covered by OHIP |
| Private Insurance | N/A | Some employer plans cover group therapy or psychological services; verify your policy |
OAP wait and cost figures are province-wide context, not a prediction for a family or a regional estimate. Confirm current fees, intake, and availability directly. Last updated: 2026-08-06.
Confirm current group program availability
Contact school board for in-school social skills programming
This is not a complete directory. Search AccessOAP for the full list of approved providers in your area.
Register at accessoap.com to access OAP funding. Social skills groups delivered by approved providers are eligible under Core Clinical Services and may also be covered under the Childhood Budget.
Look for groups using the PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) curriculum, which has the strongest RCT evidence. SickKids, many school boards, and private clinics across Ontario offer PEERS-based programs.
Social skills groups work best when the child attends all sessions (typically 10–16 weekly sessions). PEERS also includes a parent component — caregivers learn coaching strategies to support skill generalization at home.
Start with AccessOAP
Registering on AccessOAP is free, and your registration date sets your place in line — which is why registering early matters even if you are not ready to start therapy. Registration does not release funding on its own: your Core Clinical Services funding allocation is assigned after you are invited to Core Clinical Services and complete a Determination of Needs meeting.
Register on AccessOAPReview current OAP guidance, then ask named providers about eligibility, fees, referral rules, and intake. This page does not publish unsupported regional figures.
No. They are named records used as leads; confirm credentials, service area, eligibility, and availability directly before relying on them.
Your Child's Health
Families navigating autism services in Ontario face a documented multi-year wait. Here is the Ontario data — and a two-minute way to push back, when you are ready.
Group-program evidence, costs, and funding for autistic children and teens.
Read the social skills groups guideDisclaimer: This page provides general information only. Costs, wait times, and provider availability change frequently. Always verify directly with providers and AccessOAP. Nothing on this page constitutes medical or legal advice.
Related Resources
How do I register for the Ontario Autism Program?
VerifiedTo register for the OAP, contact AccessOAP (1-833-425-2445) or create an account at accessoap.ca. You must provide a valid ASD diagnosis letter. Registration date determines your waitlist priority. Once registered, you can immediately access Foundational Family Services while waiting for Core Clinical Services.
Source: AccessOAP · Verify Link
What official government data tracks the Ontario autism waitlist?
VerifiedPrimary sources include Financial Accountability Office (FAO) annual reports, Ontario Auditor General reviews, Ontario Human Rights Commission policy statements, publicly available FOI data, and AccessOAP program data. Latest FOI data (May 2026) shows 91,974 registered children with only 22.5% having active funding agreements (up from 70,176 registered in the FAO 2023-24 report).
Source: FAO, Auditor General, OHRC, MCCSS FOI May 2026 · Verify Link
Social Skills Groups Providers in Sault Ste Marie
Key organizations offering social skills groups in the Sault Ste Marie area. Always verify OAP eligibility and current availability directly with the provider.