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Free 2-Minute Quiz
Answer 3 questions for planning guidance only. Final eligibility decisions come from AccessOAP after it reviews your documents.
Direct answer
Check whether your child qualifies for the OAP and what documents you need.
What you will need: A few yes/no questions about diagnosis and residency
Question 1 of 3: Does your child have a formal autism diagnosis?
| Criterion | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder from a qualified professional (psychologist, psychological associate, physician, or nurse practitioner) | Ontario Autism Program |
| Age | Be under 18 years of age | Ontario Autism Program |
| Residence | Be a resident of Ontario | Ontario Autism Program |
AccessOAP will conduct an intake assessment to understand your child's unique strengths and needs. This includes a parent questionnaire and review of diagnostic documentation.
Based on the assessment, your child will be assigned to a needs level that determines the appropriate level of OAP support and funding for which they are eligible.
Your child will be placed on the waitlist for core clinical services. Your position is based on your registration date, not diagnosis date. Current wait times average 5+ years.
5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026)
When your child reaches the top of the waitlist, you will select an approved OAP service provider. Research providers carefully as some have additional waitlists.
This OAP Eligibility Quiz provides general guidance only and is not an official determination of eligibility. Final eligibility decisions are made by AccessOAP based on a complete review of your documentation and circumstances. This tool is for informational purposes to help you understand the basic OAP requirements and prepare for registration. For official eligibility determination, contact AccessOAP at 1-833-425-2445 or visit AccessOAP.ca.
To register for OAP, your child must meet three published criteria:
Canadian citizenship is not listed as a separate registration criterion. AccessOAP confirms which supporting documents apply to each family.
Yes, a formal autism diagnosis is required to qualify for OAP. The diagnosis must come from a qualified professional such as a psychologist, psychological associate, physician, or nurse practitioner.
If your child does not have a diagnosis, you will need to complete an autism assessment first:
Once you have a diagnosis, register with AccessOAP immediately at 1-833-425-2445.
No, OAP services are only available for children and youth under 18 years of age. However, if your child is already receiving OAP services before their 18th birthday, they can continue to receive services until age 18 with transition planning.
Youth approaching age 18 should work with their OAP worker to plan for transition to adult developmental services and supports. Contact your local Developmental Services Ontario office for information about adult autism supports.
The current Ontario Autism Program registration page does not list Canadian citizenship as a separate eligibility criterion.
The published test is that the child is under 18, currently lives in Ontario, and has a written autism diagnosis from a qualified professional.
If your family has temporary or complex immigration circumstances, contact AccessOAP at 1-833-425-2445 to confirm which supporting documents apply.
After receiving an autism diagnosis, contact AccessOAP immediately at 1-833-425-2445 to register your child.
You will need to provide:
Register immediately after diagnosis because your waitlist position is based on registration date, not diagnosis date. Current wait times average 5+ years for core clinical services.
This eligibility quiz provides general guidance based on standard OAP criteria, but there may be exceptions or special circumstances.
If you answered no to any question but believe you may still be eligible, contact AccessOAP directly at 1-833-425-2445 to discuss your specific situation.
Examples of special circumstances may include families moving to Ontario from another province, children in foster care, or unique immigration situations. AccessOAP case workers can review your circumstances and provide definitive eligibility information.
Who is eligible for OAP funding?
OAP eligibility requires the child to: (1) be under 18 years of age, (2) strictly reside in Ontario, and (3) have a written diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from a qualified professional. Only children with a confirmed diagnosis can register; suspected cases must complete assessment first.
Source: Ontario.ca OAP Eligibility · Open source record
How do I register for the Ontario Autism Program?
To 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 · Open source record
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 ~300% growth in registrations since 2019, with 71,263 children still waiting for essential funding.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · Open source record
Is the Ontario Autism Program underfunded?
The 2026-27 Ontario Budget allocated $965 million for autism services, up from $779 million in 2025-26, while 91,974 children are registered. The budget record supports the current allocation; the historical FAO funding model is cited separately.
Source: 2026-27 Ontario Budget · Open source record
This quiz checks your answers against the basic OAP eligibility topics shown in the tool, including diagnosis, residency, and age.
It gives planning guidance only. Final eligibility decisions come from AccessOAP after it reviews your documents.
In brief
Guides and tools related to this page.
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.