Ontario Autism Program (OAP)

Offered by Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

Ontario's registration, free-service, and needs-based core clinical funding pathway for children and youth under 18 with an autism diagnosis.

The Ontario Autism Program supports children and youth on the autism spectrum until age 18. Families register through AccessOAP, can access free OAP services, and may receive needs-based core clinical funding after a determination-of-needs process. Core clinical supports cover services such as applied behaviour analysis, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, mental health services, and recommended technology or therapy equipment. Families should confirm eligible and ineligible expenses on Ontario's current OAP guidance before spending funding.

Eligibility

Under 18 with an ASD diagnosis from a qualified Canadian professional; ordinarily resident in Ontario.

How to apply

1. Get an ASD diagnosis from a qualified professional. 2. Register through AccessOAP — the independent intermediary. 3. Receive Interim One-Time Funding while awaiting Core Clinical Services assessment. 4. Complete Family Team meeting to determine Core funding amount.

At a glance

Funding type: government funded
Delivery: hybrid
Services: ABA, Speech-language pathology, Occupational therapy, Mental health, Technology/equipment
A diagnosis may be required
Cost notes: Core Clinical Services funding is determined at least annually by age and support intensity. Current yearly allocations range from $6,600 to $65,000; allocations under

Source and verification

Last source check: August 3, 2026

Ontario Autism Program funding and AccessOAP

The Ontario Autism Program supports eligible Ontario children and youth with a written autism diagnosis until age 18. New families register through AccessOAP. Registration does not place every family into the same service immediately: available pathways include foundational family services, caregiver-mediated early-years programs, core clinical services, entry to school and urgent response services, each with its own rules.

Application and registration checklist

Create or connect the AccessOAP account: Use the official AccessOAP registration path. Keep the email address, account details and consent confirmation accessible to every caregiver who manages the file.
Provide the requested diagnosis documentation: Check that the letter or report contains every item listed by Ontario before uploading it. Keep the original and a private backup.
Save confirmation and contact details: Record the registration date, confirmation, care-coordinator contact and the date of every call or document submission.
Ask what is available now: Do not assume every service requires waiting for core clinical services. Ask AccessOAP about foundational, early-years, school-entry or urgent-response options that match the child’s circumstances.

Services and supports

Foundational family services are available to families registered in the OAP through participating providers.
Caregiver-mediated early-years programs have specific age and participation criteria.
Core clinical services may fund eligible clinical supports after the program’s needs-based process.
Entry to school supports children registered in the OAP who are starting kindergarten or Grade 1 and meet the program criteria.
Urgent response services have separate urgent-need criteria and regional lead organizations.

Read the complete source-checked Ontario Autism Program funding guide (last checked 2026-07-16).