Ages 0-4

What is the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)?

OAP is a provincial program that supports children and youth on the autism spectrum up to the age of
18 and provides support to families. OAP is the single-entry point to accessing services at no cost and to
getting on the list to receive direct funding which you can use to purchase services for your child.
Your child must have a diagnosis of autism to be eligible for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).

Different options to getting a diagnosis
1. Contact the diagnostic hub in your region to schedule an autism assessment. To learn more about the diagnostic hubs and find the one in your area click here
2. Make an appointment with a family doctor or pediatrician to discuss an autism assessment and
diagnosis.
3. A psychologist may also provide an autism diagnosis on a fee for service basis. You may have to pay
out of pocket for this service. Check with your work benefits or private insurance to see if have
coverage.

If your child has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
SET UP AN ACCOUNT WITH ACCESS OAP- Access OAP is the single-entry point that connects families to
Ontario Autism Program Services. You must register with Access OAP to access these services and
funding to pay for supports.

Ages 5-11

What is the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)?

OAP is a provincial program that supports children and youth on the autism spectrum up to the age of
18 and provides support to families. OAP is the single-entry point to accessing services at no cost and to
getting on the list to receive direct funding which you can use to purchase services for your child.
Your child must have a diagnosis of autism to be eligible for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).

Different options to getting a diagnosis
1. Contact the diagnostic hub in your region to schedule an autism assessment. To learn more about the diagnostic hubs and find the one in your area click here
2. Make an appointment with a family doctor or pediatrician to discuss an autism assessment and
diagnosis.
3. A psychologist may also provide an autism diagnosis on a fee for service basis. You may have to pay
out of pocket for this service. Check with your work benefits or private insurance to see if have
coverage.

If your child has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
SET UP AN ACCOUNT WITH ACCESS OAP- Access OAP is the single-entry point that connects families to
Ontario Autism Program Services. You must register with Access OAP to access these services and
funding to pay for supports.

Ages 12-14

What is the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)?

OAP is a provincial program that supports children and youth on the autism spectrum up to the age of
18 and provides support to families. OAP is the single-entry point to accessing services at no cost and to
getting on the list to receive direct funding which you can use to purchase services for your child.
Your child must have a diagnosis of autism to be eligible for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).

Different options to getting a diagnosis
1. Contact the diagnostic hub in your region to schedule an autism assessment. To learn more about the diagnostic hubs and find the one in your area click here
2. Make an appointment with a family doctor or pediatrician to discuss an autism assessment and
diagnosis.
3. A psychologist may also provide an autism diagnosis on a fee for service basis. You may have to pay
out of pocket for this service. Check with your work benefits or private insurance to see if have
coverage.

If your child has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
SET UP AN ACCOUNT WITH ACCESS OAP- Access OAP is the single-entry point that connects families to
Ontario Autism Program Services. You must register with Access OAP to access these services and
funding to pay for supports.

Ages 15-17

What is the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)?

OAP is a provincial program that supports children and youth on the autism spectrum up to the age of
18 and provides support to families. OAP is the single-entry point to accessing services at no cost and to
getting on the list to receive direct funding which you can use to purchase services for your child.
Your child must have a diagnosis of autism to be eligible for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).

Different options to getting a diagnosis
1. Contact the diagnostic hub in your region to schedule an autism assessment. To learn more about the diagnostic hubs and find the one in your area click here
2. Make an appointment with a family doctor or pediatrician to discuss an autism assessment and
diagnosis.
3. A psychologist may also provide an autism diagnosis on a fee for service basis. You may have to pay
out of pocket for this service. Check with your work benefits or private insurance to see if have
coverage.

If your child has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
SET UP AN ACCOUNT WITH ACCESS OAP- Access OAP is the single-entry point that connects families to
Ontario Autism Program Services. You must register with Access OAP to access these services and
funding to pay for supports.

Ages 0-4

There are 5 service streams available for families that register with AccessOAP.

Services available free of charge

FOUNDATIONAL FAMILY SERVICES These programs are available free of charge for all families registered
with the OAP. Services provide families with the support needed for their child’s ongoing development
and specific needs. These are offered on-line or in person and are tailored to the family’s needs. Families
can register with an agency that is offering the program.

CAREGIVER-MEDIATED EARLY YEARS PROGRAM These programs are free of charge to those registered
with the OAP. The programs are offered to families with children between ages 1-4 years. Workshops are
offered once per fiscal year and they run for either 6 or 12 months depending on the workshop selected.
In these play-based programs, caregivers will learn strategies based on their child’s specific learning and
development needs such as social interaction, communication, play and emotional development.
Families will be contacted when the program is available to them.

ENTRY TO SCHOOL PROGRAM This program is free of charge to those registered with the OAP and may
have some additional eligibility requirements. The program is available for children ages 3 to 6 years old
who will be transitioning into school for the first time. The program offers up to 6 months of skill building
in class or through the childcare consult stream and up to another 6 months of transitional support once
they enter school. Families will be contacted when the program is available to them. To learn more, click
here.

URGENT RESPONSE SERVICE This is a time limited program available for children and youth who are
registered with OAP. Urgent Response Services offer a multidisciplinary approach to supporting
caregivers with coping strategies to manage emerging challenging behaviour to prevent further
escalation. Urgent Response Teams may include a Registered Behaviour Analyst, Social Worker, Respite
Worker and Service Coordinator. Appointments for this program typically occur in the family’s home,
where mediator training can occur. This program is free of charge and offered by specific agencies in
your area.

Services you can purchase with your OAP funding or other money
CORE CLINICAL SERVICES These include applied behaviour analysis, speech-language pathology,
occupational therapy, mental health services, and technology and program materials. These services can
be purchased using the funding provided directly to families by the government of Ontario. You may also
pay out of pocket or use benefits if you have these available.

Ages 5-11

There are 5 service streams available for families that register with AccessOAP.

Services available free of charge

FOUNDATIONAL FAMILY SERVICES These programs are available free of charge for all families registered
with the OAP. Services provide families with the support needed for their child’s ongoing development
and specific needs. These are offered on-line or in person and are tailored to the family’s needs. Families
can register with an agency that is offering the program.

CAREGIVER-MEDIATED EARLY YEARS PROGRAM These programs are free of charge to those registered
with the OAP. The programs are offered to families with children between ages 1-4 years. Workshops are
offered once per fiscal year and they run for either 6 or 12 months depending on the workshop selected.
In these play-based programs, caregivers will learn strategies based on their child’s specific learning and
development needs such as social interaction, communication, play and emotional development.
Families will be contacted when the program is available to them.

ENTRY TO SCHOOL PROGRAM This program is free of charge to those registered with the OAP and may
have some additional eligibility requirements. The program is available for children ages 3 to 6 years old
who will be transitioning into school for the first time. The program offers up to 6 months of skill building
in class or through the childcare consult stream and up to another 6 months of transitional support once
they enter school. Families will be contacted when the program is available to them. To learn more, click
here.

URGENT RESPONSE SERVICE This is a time limited program available for children and youth who are
registered with OAP. Urgent Response Services offer a multidisciplinary approach to supporting
caregivers with coping strategies to manage emerging challenging behaviour to prevent further
escalation. Urgent Response Teams may include a Registered Behaviour Analyst, Social Worker, Respite
Worker and Service Coordinator. Appointments for this program typically occur in the family’s home,
where mediator training can occur. This program is free of charge and offered by specific agencies in
your area.

Services you can purchase with your OAP funding or other money
CORE CLINICAL SERVICES These include applied behaviour analysis, speech-language pathology,
occupational therapy, mental health services, and technology and program materials. These services can
be purchased using the funding provided directly to families by the government of Ontario. You may also
pay out of pocket or use benefits if you have these available.

Ages 12-14

There are 5 service streams available for families that register with AccessOAP.

Services available free of charge

FOUNDATIONAL FAMILY SERVICES These programs are available free of charge for all families registered
with the OAP. Services provide families with the support needed for their child’s ongoing development
and specific needs. These are offered on-line or in person and are tailored to the family’s needs. Families
can register with an agency that is offering the program.

CAREGIVER-MEDIATED EARLY YEARS PROGRAM These programs are free of charge to those registered
with the OAP. The programs are offered to families with children between ages 1-4 years. Workshops are
offered once per fiscal year and they run for either 6 or 12 months depending on the workshop selected.
In these play-based programs, caregivers will learn strategies based on their child’s specific learning and
development needs such as social interaction, communication, play and emotional development.
Families will be contacted when the program is available to them.

ENTRY TO SCHOOL PROGRAM This program is free of charge to those registered with the OAP and may
have some additional eligibility requirements. The program is available for children ages 3 to 6 years old
who will be transitioning into school for the first time. The program offers up to 6 months of skill building
in class or through the childcare consult stream and up to another 6 months of transitional support once
they enter school. Families will be contacted when the program is available to them. To learn more, click
here.

URGENT RESPONSE SERVICE This is a time limited program available for children and youth who are
registered with OAP. Urgent Response Services offer a multidisciplinary approach to supporting
caregivers with coping strategies to manage emerging challenging behaviour to prevent further
escalation. Urgent Response Teams may include a Registered Behaviour Analyst, Social Worker, Respite
Worker and Service Coordinator. Appointments for this program typically occur in the family’s home,
where mediator training can occur. This program is free of charge and offered by specific agencies in
your area.

Services you can purchase with your OAP funding or other money
CORE CLINICAL SERVICES These include applied behaviour analysis, speech-language pathology,
occupational therapy, mental health services, and technology and program materials. These services can
be purchased using the funding provided directly to families by the government of Ontario. You may also
pay out of pocket or use benefits if you have these available.

Ages 15-17

There are 5 service streams available for families that register with AccessOAP.

Services available free of charge

FOUNDATIONAL FAMILY SERVICES These programs are available free of charge for all families registered
with the OAP. Services provide families with the support needed for their child’s ongoing development
and specific needs. These are offered on-line or in person and are tailored to the family’s needs. Families
can register with an agency that is offering the program.

CAREGIVER-MEDIATED EARLY YEARS PROGRAM These programs are free of charge to those registered
with the OAP. The programs are offered to families with children between ages 1-4 years. Workshops are
offered once per fiscal year and they run for either 6 or 12 months depending on the workshop selected.
In these play-based programs, caregivers will learn strategies based on their child’s specific learning and
development needs such as social interaction, communication, play and emotional development.
Families will be contacted when the program is available to them.

ENTRY TO SCHOOL PROGRAM This program is free of charge to those registered with the OAP and may
have some additional eligibility requirements. The program is available for children ages 3 to 6 years old
who will be transitioning into school for the first time. The program offers up to 6 months of skill building
in class or through the childcare consult stream and up to another 6 months of transitional support once
they enter school. Families will be contacted when the program is available to them. To learn more, click
here.

URGENT RESPONSE SERVICE This is a time limited program available for children and youth who are
registered with OAP. Urgent Response Services offer a multidisciplinary approach to supporting
caregivers with coping strategies to manage emerging challenging behaviour to prevent further
escalation. Urgent Response Teams may include a Registered Behaviour Analyst, Social Worker, Respite
Worker and Service Coordinator. Appointments for this program typically occur in the family’s home,
where mediator training can occur. This program is free of charge and offered by specific agencies in
your area.

Services you can purchase with your OAP funding or other money
CORE CLINICAL SERVICES These include applied behaviour analysis, speech-language pathology,
occupational therapy, mental health services, and technology and program materials. These services can
be purchased using the funding provided directly to families by the government of Ontario. You may also
pay out of pocket or use benefits if you have these available.

Ages 5-11

• Your child’s school can help you figure out what support your child may need in the classroom. Ask about Special Education options.
• You can begin this process by speaking with a teacher or school principal.

Suggested Resources

• The Ontario Ministry of Education provides information on Special Education in schools in Ontario. They have created a resource guide to support educators on implementing effective programs and services for students with special education needs.
• Easter Seals Ontario launched Easter Seals Kids at School, a blog featuring articles for parents and caregivers on how to help their child succeed in school.

Ages 12-14

• Your child’s school can help you figure out what support your child may need in the classroom. Ask about Special Education options.

Suggested Resources

• The Ontario Ministry of Education provides information on Special Education in schools in Ontario. They have created a resource guide to support educators on implementing effective programs and services for students with special education needs.
• Easter Seals Ontario launched Easter Seals Kids at School, a blog featuring articles for parents and caregivers on how to help their child succeed in school.

Ages 0-4

• A circle of support can help you make decisions, have your voice be heard, and help you and your child get involved in your community.

Suggested Resources

• Partners for Planning has created a resource that will help families connect with a Family Support Network in their community. There is also a guide to making friendships with supportive people.
• Inclusion Press is another website that has planning resources to help you build a circle of support.

Ages 5-11

• A circle of support can help you make decisions, have your voice be heard, and help you and your child get involved in your community.

Suggested Resources

• Partners for Planning has created a resource that will help families connect with a Family Support Network in their community. There is also a guide to making friendships with supportive people.
• Inclusion Press is another website that has planning resources to help you build a circle of support.

Ages 12-14

• A circle of support can help you make decisions, have your voice be heard, and help you and your child get involved in your community.

Suggested Resources

• Partners for Planning has created a resource that will help families connect with a Family Support Network in their community. There is also a guide to making friendships with supportive people.
• Inclusion Press is another website that has planning resources to help you create a plan for your life.

Ages 15-17

• A circle of support can help you make decisions, have your voice be heard, and help you and your child get involved in your community.

Suggested Resources

• Partners for Planning has created a resource that will help families connect with a Family Support Network in their community. There is also a guide to making friendships with supportive people.
• Inclusion Press is another website that has planning resources to help you create a plan for your life.