Free Tool
See what a year of therapy costs next to the funding you expect.
What you will need: Therapy hours and hourly rates by service type
Weekly Therapy Covered
Hourly Therapy Rates
Budget Template
Therapy rates vary by provider qualifications, location (GTA vs. other regions), and service model (clinic-based, in-home, or virtual). These are typical ranges as of 2024-2025.
per hour
Applied Behaviour Analysis by Instructor/Therapist (BCBA supervision billed separately)
per hour
Speech-Language Pathologist (S-LP(C), Reg. CASLPO)
per hour
Occupational Therapist (OT Reg. (Ont))
per hour
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) oversight and program design
With limited OAP funding, most families must prioritize therapy services based on their child most urgent needs.
Strategies to maximize therapy hours within your OAP budget.
This Therapy Budget Planner provides estimates only, computed from the hours and rates you enter. The prefilled ranges are editable planning examples, not a current market survey — actual provider rates vary by location, qualifications, and service delivery model, so use a written quote. OAP funding amounts are determined through the AccessOAP needs assessment and may differ from the estimates shown. This tool is for planning purposes only and does not guarantee service availability or specific funding amounts.
Estimate your OAP Core Clinical Services amount based on child age and needs level
Calculate FundingHow is OAP funding determined?
OAP Core Clinical Services funding is determined by a "Determination of Needs" interview. Based on age and support intensity, annual funding ranges from $6,600 to $65,000. This envelope must cover all eligible therapies (ABA, Speech, OT) and technology for the year.
Source: AccessOAP Determination of Needs
What services are included in the OAP?
The OAP includes: 1) Core Clinical Services (needs-based therapy funding), 2) Foundational Family Services (free webinars/coaching), 3) Caregiver-Mediated Early Years (parent coaching for toddlers), 4) Entry to School (school readiness), and 5) Urgent Response Services (short-term crisis intervention).
Source: Ontario Autism Program Service Streams
How long do families wait for Ontario autism services?
Ontario autism wait times for core clinical services now exceed 5+ years for families registered in 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026). Funding invitations are currently reaching families who registered in August 2021 (Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026 (reported from community intake)). This delay far exceeds the sensitive early intervention window recommended by developmental specialists.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · 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
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
Method
This planner uses the therapy hours and funding inputs you choose to estimate how far a monthly budget may stretch.
It is a planning tool, not a provider quote. Real costs vary by provider, service type, availability, and timing.
In brief
Next Steps
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.