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Provincial Program · Ontario

Ontario Autism Program

Ontario ABS

Ontario's program for children and youth on the autism spectrum, offering foundational family services, caregiver-mediated early years programs, core clinical services, an entry to school program and urgent response services. Children receive services and supports until age 18. Behaviour plans are no longer offered and have been replaced by these services.

Last reviewed: September 2026

Useful Tips for Applying

Register through AccessOAP, the program's independent intake organization — do not register again if you already registered with the Ontario Autism Program or sent a registration form to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. If you registered before April 2021, separate interim one-time funding and childhood budgets may still apply. AccessOAP care coordinators can explain your service options; the ministry's Central Resource Team handles childhood budgets and interim one-time funding. Your child may also qualify for Special Services at Home, ACSD, children's rehabilitation services and school-based supports.

Who May Qualify

Your child must be under 18, currently live in Ontario, and have a written diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder from a qualified professional. The diagnosis must show the child's full name and date of birth, the assessment date, a statement that the child meets the diagnostic criteria for ASD, and the professional's name and credentials.

Required Documents

• Formal ASD diagnosis from a qualified healthcare professional • Proof of Ontario residency for the child • Child's birth certificate or government-issued ID • Registration completed through the AccessOAP portal

How to Apply

1. Register your child with the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) through the AccessOAP website 2. Wait for an invitation to enter Core Clinical Services based on your registration date 3. Once invited, complete a Determination of Needs meeting with a care coordinator 4. Receive your annual Childhood Budget amount based on the assessment results 5. Purchase services from OAP-approved clinicians or service providers

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Delaying registration until the child is older, which may limit the number of years they receive early intervention funding • Not realizing that invitations for core funding are strictly registration-date based • Failing to utilize free foundational services available during the wait period

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Disability Alliance Canada is a national cross-disability non-profit that provides free one-on-one support to help people navigate federal disability programs, including the Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit (CPP-D), the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), and the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). They also offer educational guides, training and workshops, and help with applications, reconsiderations, and appeals.

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