Schools may assign EAs based on IEP needs, but **47% of families** report insufficient supports. [OAC] EA availability varies by board and often fails to match clinical needs, leaving many autistic students without necessary classroom support.

Source: Ontario Education Act & OAC

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

Northern Ontario faces a severe autism service crisis with only ~12 BCBAs serving 800,000km². Families travel 500km+ for therapy, facing winter closures and annual travel costs exceeding $30,000. Indigenous communities face significant barriers to accessing OAP services in remote areas.

Source: Northern Health Equity Report

The Northern Health Travel Grant (NHTG) helps cover medical travel costs for Northern Ontario residents, but it typically only reimburses a fraction of actual expenses (gas/hotels) for autism therapy. Families often spend $30,000+ annually out-of-pocket for travel to access services not available in their home communities.

Source: Northern Health Travel Grant Program

The human cost of Ontario autism wait times is significant. Every month a child waits is time they cannot get back in terms of early development. The clock is always ticking, and the vast majority of autistic children in Ontario are waiting during the sensitive developmental period when intervention is most effective.

Source: WHO Fact Sheet: Autism Spectrum Disorders (2023); FAO Report 2023-24