Therapy Decision Guide
Play therapy delivered by regulated health professionals (psychologists, occupational therapists, or speech-language pathologists) with defined clinical goals is eligible under OAP core clinical services. Unstructured recreational play programs are not OAP-eligible.
Ask any prospective provider which of these credentials they hold, and confirm the credential with the relevant regulatory college before starting.
Several structured play approaches have evidence supporting their use with autistic children. Integrated Play Groups (IPG), developed by Pamela Wolfberg, brings together autistic children ("novice players") with neurotypical peers ("expert players") in structured play sessions guided by a trained adult facilitator. Research shows IPG increases symbolic play, social interaction, and reduces isolated or stereotyped play patterns.
Other structured play approaches include Joint Attention Symbolic Play Engagement and Regulation (JASPER), developed by Connie Kasari at UCLA, which targets joint attention and symbolic play as foundational skills for language and social development. JASPER has strong evidence from multiple RCTs showing increases in joint engagement, play diversity, and expressive language in young autistic children.
In Ontario, play therapy is often delivered within a multidisciplinary framework. Occupational therapists may focus on sensory-motor play and self-regulation, speech-language pathologists use play as a context for language intervention, and psychologists address emotional regulation and social-cognitive skills through therapeutic play. This integrated approach allows families to use OAP funding efficiently by targeting multiple developmental goals through play.
JASPER (Joint Attention Symbolic Play Engagement and Regulation) has the strongest evidence base among play-based interventions for autism. A 2014 RCT by Kasari et al. in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry found that JASPER combined with a speech-generating device produced greater gains in spontaneous communicative utterances than JASPER alone. A 2015 follow-up showed that joint attention gains predicted later language development.
Integrated Play Groups research by Wolfberg and colleagues demonstrates consistent improvements in social play — autistic children in IPG showed increased reciprocal and symbolic play and decreased isolated play compared to control conditions. These findings support play-based approaches as effective complements to other therapies within a comprehensive support plan.
Evidence
Kasari et al. (2014)
Communication interventions for minimally verbal children with autism: A sequential multiple assignment randomized trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(6), 635-646.
Wolfberg et al. (2015)
Integrated Play Groups: Promoting symbolic play and social engagement with typical peers in children with ASD across settings. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(3), 830-845.
How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?
As of May 13, 2026, 91,974 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program. However, only 20,711 (22.5%) have an active Core Funding Agreement. This represents approximately 290% growth in registrations since 2019, with 71,263 children still waiting for essential funding.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · Mar 2026, FAO Report 2024 · Verify Link
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. This gap is the primary driver of the perpetual 91,974+ child waitlist.
Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO] · Verify Link
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate