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Trusted support pathways for every Ontario family.

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  • While You Wait

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About

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Getting Started

  • Browse All Pages
  • Search
  • Diagnosis Guide
  • While You Wait

Common Questions

  • All Questions
  • How Long Is the Wait?
  • What Is the OAP?
  • How Many Are Waiting?
  • Options While Waiting
  • Funding Amounts

Tools

  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker

Providers

  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider

Funding & Support

  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP

Your Region

  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton
  • London
  • Mississauga
  • All Regions

Evidence & Data

  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
  • Waitlist Data
  • Cost Calculator

Take Action

  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit

About

  • Our Story
  • Founder
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Browse All Pages
  • Search
  • Diagnosis Guide
  • While You Wait
  • All Questions
  • How Long Is the Wait?
  • What Is the OAP?
  • How Many Are Waiting?
  • Options While Waiting
  • Funding Amounts
  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker
  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider
  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP
  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton
  • London
  • Mississauga
  • All Regions
  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
  • Waitlist Data
  • Cost Calculator
  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit
  • Our Story
  • Founder
  • Press
  • Contact

Legal Disclaimer: This website presents advocacy arguments based on publicly available data and legal frameworks. While we strive for accuracy, this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Nothing on this website should be construed as a guarantee of any specific legal outcome.

Independence: End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led advocacy group. We are not affiliated with the Ontario government, the Ontario Autism Coalition, Autism Ontario, or the World Health Organization. References to these organizations are for informational purposes only.

Statistics are current as of the dates cited and may change. For specific legal guidance, consult a licensed attorney. For medical advice, consult qualified healthcare professionals.Last updated: January 2026.

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© 2026 End The Wait Ontario. All rights reserved. Parent-led advocacy. Not a government agency.

Interactive Tool

True Cost of Waiting

Autism Waitlist Impact Calculator

Every day on the waitlist is lost developmental potential. Calculate the real cost of waiting — in therapy hours, developmental impact, and lifetime costs.

Research-backed calculations
Instant results
Shareable findings

Calculation Methodology

All calculations are based on peer-reviewed research, Ontario-specific data, and clinical guidelines. Sources are cited below.

Lost Therapy Hours

Formula: Wait time (weeks) x 25 hours/week

  • • 25 hours/week = Evidence-based ABA recommendation
  • • National Autism Center: 20-40 hours for optimal outcomes
  • • Ontario OAP guidelines endorse intensive early intervention

Developmental Impact

Formula: Wait months x 2% per month

  • • Ages 0-6 = Critical neuroplasticity window
  • • Each delay month = 2-3% loss in potential gains
  • • Based on Landa (2018) and early intervention studies

Therapy Cost Value

Formula: Lost hours x $80/hour

  • • $60-120/hour = Private ABA cost in Ontario
  • • $80/hour = Conservative average
  • • Many families pay out-of-pocket while waiting

Lifetime Cost Impact

Formula: $2.5M - $1.5M = $1M additional

  • • $2-3M = Lifetime cost without early intervention
  • • $1-2M = Lifetime cost with early intervention
  • • 8:1 ROI on early intervention investment

For Press & Media

Embed This Calculator

Journalists and organizations can embed this calculator on their websites. Contact us for embed codes and customization options.

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Suggested Citations

APA Style:

End The Wait Ontario. (2026). True Cost of Waiting Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.endthewaitontario.com/true-cost-of-waiting

MLA Style:

"True Cost of Waiting Calculator." End The Wait Ontario, 2026, www.endthewaitontario.com/true-cost-of-waiting.

Plain Text:

According to the End The Wait Ontario True Cost of Waiting Calculator (2026), the average Ontario child waiting 5 years for autism services loses over 6,500 hours of therapy and faces approximately $1 million in additional lifetime costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

Why Waitlists Harm

Understanding the developmental impact of delayed autism services

Read More

Wait Time Data

Latest Ontario autism waitlist statistics and regional data

View Data

Funding Guide

Understanding OAP funding, childhood budget, and interim options

Learn More

Children Cannot Wait for Bureaucracy

Every month a child waits for autism services is lost developmental potential that can never be regained. Join us in demanding immediate action to eliminate waitlists.

Take Action Now Share This Tool

Research References

Verified References & Sources

Updated: Feb 2026

Government Reports & Data

[2024]
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan ReviewVerified FAO Data
Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2024-02-29
View
[2021]
Autism Services: A Financial ReviewVerified FAO Data
Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2021-06-01
View

Official

[2023]
Autism Spectrum Disorders Fact SheetOfficial Source
World Health Organization (WHO) • Official • 2023-11-15
View

Official Government Sources

[2024]
Ontario Autism Program: Interim one-time fundingGovernment Source
Government of Ontario • Government • 2024-01-01
View
[2025]
Canada Disability BenefitGovernment Source
Government of Canada • Government • 2025-06-20
View

Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is independently verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: February 1, 2026.

Interactive Calculator

Calculate the True Cost of Waiting

Enter your child's wait time to see the impact in lost therapy hours, developmental delays, and lifetime costs. All calculations based on peer-reviewed research.

Current Ontario average: 5+ years

Critical intervention window: ages 0-6

Total wait time:3 yrs
That's:1,092 days

Calculations based on peer-reviewed research and Ontario data. Individual results may vary.