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About the Ontario Autism Program

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.

Services Available through Ontario Autism Program

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.

Kerry’s Place Children’s Respite Flexible Funding

Visit Website

Region: York Region, Simcoe, Durham Region, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge
Age: Children, 18 and under
Disability: Autism Spectrum Disorder

This fund helps to pay for respite, camps, and community events and classes. It is a reimbursement program, which means that you pay for what you need and keep your receipts, and the organization will pay you back.

Autism Ontario March Break Reimbursement Fund

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Region: Ontario
Age: Children, 18 and under
Disability: Autism Spectrum Disorder

You can get up to $350 to help pay for supports over March Break, either at a camp or in the community. It is a reimbursement program, which means that you pay for what you need and keep your receipts, and the organization will pay you back.

Learn about Budgeting

Ages 0-4

A budget is a plan for how you spend your money. Your budget can include all your money such as your funding, pay you get from working, or money you get from other places. You can make your budget for each week, each month, or for the year. You should review your budget often to make sure you are not spending more money than you have.

You might need help making your budget. Here are some people who could help:

  • Parent or other family member
  • Legal Guardian
  • A support worker
  • Your Public Guardian Trustee

Resources

Money Matters is a tool for learning how to budget your money and can be found on the ConnectAbility website. This website has resources, information for building life skills and connects you with your community.

MyDirectPlan is an online planning tool to manage your individualized funding.

Ages 5-11

A budget is a plan for how you spend your money. Your budget can include all your money such as your funding, pay you get from working, or money you get from other places. You can make your budget for each week, each month, or for the year. You should review your budget often to make sure you are not spending more money than you have.

You might need help making your budget. Here are some people who could help:

  • Parent or other family member
  • Legal Guardian
  • A support worker
  • Your Public Guardian Trustee

Resources

Money Matters is a tool for learning how to budget your money and can be found on the ConnectAbility website. This website has resources, information for building life skills and connects you with your community.

MyDirectPlan is an online planning tool to manage your individualized funding.

Ages 12-14

A budget is a plan for how you spend your money. Your budget can include all your money such as your funding, pay you get from working, or money you get from other places. You can make your budget for each week, each month, or for the year. You should review your budget often to make sure you are not spending more money than you have.

You might need help making your budget. Here are some people who could help:

  • Parent or other family member
  • Legal Guardian
  • A support worker
  • Your Public Guardian Trustee

Resources

Money Matters is a tool for learning how to budget your money and can be found on the ConnectAbility website. This website has resources, information for building life skills and connects you with your community.

MyDirectPlan is an online planning tool to manage your individualized funding.

Ages 15-17

A budget is a plan for how you spend your money. Your budget can include all your money such as your funding, pay you get from working, or money you get from other places. You can make your budget for each week, each month, or for the year. You should review your budget often to make sure you are not spending more money than you have.

You might need help making your budget. Here are some people who could help:

  • Parent or other family member
  • Legal Guardian
  • A support worker
  • Your Public Guardian Trustee

Resources

Money Matters is a tool for learning how to budget your money and can be found on the ConnectAbility website. This website has resources, information for building life skills and connects you with your community.

MyDirectPlan is an online planning tool to manage your individualized funding.

Ages 18-21

A budget is a plan for how you spend your money. Your budget can include all your money such as your funding, pay you get from working, or money you get from other places. You can make your budget for each week, each month, or for the year. You should review your budget often to make sure you are not spending more money than you have.

You might need help making your budget. Here are some people who could help:

  • Parent or other family member
  • Legal Guardian
  • A support worker
  • Your Public Guardian Trustee

Resources

Money Matters is a tool for learning how to budget your money and can be found on the ConnectAbility website. This website has resources, information for building life skills and connects you with your community.

MyDirectPlan is an online planning tool to manage your individualized funding.

Ages 22-40

A budget is a plan for how you spend your money. Your budget can include all your money such as your funding, pay you get from working, or money you get from other places. You can make your budget for each week, each month, or for the year. You should review your budget often to make sure you are not spending more money than you have.

You might need help making your budget. Here are some people who could help:

  • Parent or other family member
  • Legal Guardian
  • A support worker
  • Your Public Guardian Trustee

Resources

Money Matters is a tool for learning how to budget your money and can be found on the ConnectAbility website. This website has resources, information for building life skills and connects you with your community.

MyDirectPlan is an online planning tool to manage your individualized funding.

Ages 41 and over

A budget is a plan for how you spend your money. Your budget can include all your money such as your funding, pay you get from working, or money you get from other places. You can make your budget for each week, each month, or for the year. You should review your budget often to make sure you are not spending more money than you have.

You might need help making your budget. Here are some people who could help:

  • Parent or other family member
  • Legal Guardian
  • A support worker
  • Your Public Guardian Trustee

Resources

Money Matters is a tool for learning how to budget your money and can be found on the ConnectAbility website. This website has resources, information for building life skills and connects you with your community.

MyDirectPlan is an online planning tool to manage your individualized funding.

Autism Ontario One-to-One Summer Support Worker Reimbursement Fund

Visit Website

Region: Ontario
Age: Children, 18 and under
Disability: Autism Spectrum Disorder

You can get up to $600 to pay for supports during a summer camp or summer program. It is a reimbursement program, which means that you pay for what you need and keep your receipts, and the organization will pay you back.

Plan for adult services

Ages 15-17

  • Start planning for your transition into adult health and social services. It is important be prepared and plan ahead.

For you parents and caregivers 

  • As parents and caregivers of people with developmental disabilities age, your planning needs to change. Some issues that become more important as parents age include financial security and social supports for their loved one after parents/supporters pass away, as well as housing needs.

Suggested Resources

Resources for parents and caregivers 

Ages 18-21

  • Start planning for your transition into adult health and social services. It is important be prepared and plan ahead.

For your parents and caregivers

  • As you grow older, the planning needs for you and your child change. Some issues that become more important include financial security, housing security and social supports for your loved one after you are no longer able to support their needs.

Suggested Resources

For parents and caregivers

Save for the Future

Ages 15-17

  • Consider opening a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). A RDSP can help you save money faster through government contributions.
  • To be eligible for a RDSP you need to be eligible for and receiving the Disability Tax Credit.

Suggested Resources

Ages 18-21

  • Consider opening a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). A RDSP can help you save money faster through government contributions.
  • To be eligible for a RDSP you need to be eligible for and receiving the Disability Tax Credit.

Suggested Resources

Ages 22-40

  • Consider opening a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).
  • A RDSP can help you save money faster through government contributions.
  • To be eligible for a RDSP you need to be eligible for and receiving the Disability Tax Credit.

Suggested Resources

Ages 41 and over

  • Consider opening a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).
  • A RDSP can help you save money faster through government contributions.
  • To be eligible for a RDSP you need to be eligible for and receiving the Disability Tax Credit.

Suggested Resources

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