Ontario Autism Program
Learn about the Ontario Autism Program and support for children with autism. Find out how to register for the program and get information about funding and service options.
About the Ontario Autism Program
The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) offers support to families of children and youth on the autism spectrum.
Children and youth who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by a qualified professional are eligible for the program. Children receive services and supports until the age of 18.
AccessOAP
AccessOAP is the Ontario Autism Program’s Independent Intake Organization that supports everyone registered in the Ontario Autism Program.
AccessOAP care coordinators are available to:
- answer your questions
- help you understand your service options
- help you access needs-based services and supports in your community
If you are registered in the OAP, create an account with AccessOAP and give consent to transfer your OAP record to AccessOAP.
As of December 2022, we sent everyone registered in the OAP an email or letter with this information.
For more details about creating your account with AccessOAP, please watch our video.
If you are registered in the OAP, but you haven’t received an email or letter and you don’t have an AccessOAP account, please check your junk folder and make sure your contact information with the ministry is up to date.
If you still haven’t received an email/letter, please email or call the Central Resource Team:
If you are registering for the Ontario Autism Program for the first time, please contact AccessOAP directly.
Eligibility
To register for the Ontario Autism Program, your child must:
- be under age 18
- currently live in Ontario
- have a written diagnosis of autism from a qualified professional
Your child’s written diagnosis must include:
- your child’s full name and date of birth
- the date of your child’s assessment
- a statement indicating that the child meets the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder
- the qualified professional’s name and credentials
Resources about diagnosis
- Signs and symptoms of autism
- Get an autism assessment
- Information kit for families of newly diagnosed children
Register your child
Register for the Ontario Autism Program through AccessOAP and provide all supporting documentation that they ask for.
You do not need to register again if you:
- have previously registered your child for the Ontario Autism Program
- already submitted a registration form and supporting documents to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
If you have questions about registering your child, you can email or call AccessOAP:
Your child with autism may also be eligible for other government programs for children with special needs.
Types of services and supports
Foundational family services
Learn about foundational family services for everyone registered in the Ontario Autism Program and how to find services.
Caregiver-mediated early years programs
Learn about programs for children who are between 12 and 48 months old and registered in the Ontario Autism Program.
Core clinical services
Learn about core clinical services for children and youth registered in the Ontario Autism Program and find out when more children will enter these services.
Entry to school program
Learn about the entry to school program for children who are registered in the OAP and starting kindergarten or Grade 1.
Urgent response services
Learn how to access support if your child or youth has an urgent need. Find out who is eligible, how to get services and contact your area’s lead organization.
If you registered for the program before April 2021
Interim one-time funding
Learn about interim one-time funding for children and youth who registered in the Ontario Autism Program before April 2021, including eligibility, how to apply and how to report expenses.
Childhood budgets
Learn about childhood budgets for children and youth who registered in the Ontario Autism Program before April 2021, including what services are eligible and how to report your expenses.
Behaviour plans
Learn about the necessary steps for developing an Ontario Autism Program (OAP) behaviour plan and key details that must be included in each plan for families with an existing plan.
Other government services and supports
Your child or youth with autism may be eligible for other government programs for children with special needs, such as:
- Healthy child development programs, including:
- Rehabilitation services delivered by children’s treatment centres
- Special needs resource teachers in child care settings
- Special Services at Home program
- Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities program
Supports in schools
Your child may be eligible for school-based supports for students with autism.
Information for practitioners
Service providers must continue to use the service delivery tools and all associated processes to develop and deliver Ontario Autism Program behaviour plans.
- Learn about the selection process for Ontario Autism Program service providers.
- Read the capacity action plan.
- Learn about the special needs workforce survey and read the results.
- Apply for a workforce capacity fund grant.
Contact information
Direct your questions and find more information about the Ontario Autism Program. There are different teams to contact depending on the topic you’d like to discuss.
Ask:
- about registering for the OAP
- how to create an account with AccessOAP
- general questions about the OAP
- about your situation if you have created an account with AccessOAP and given consent to the ministry to transfer your OAP record to AccessOAP
Central Resource Team
Ask about:
- your situation if you’re registered with the OAP, but not yet connected with AccessOAP
- a registration form you submitted to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
- childhood budgets
- interim one-time funding
Get:
- access to more autism services
- answers to your questions about Autism Spectrum Disorder