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Your child was just diagnosed. Here is what to do next.

Ontario has at least nine programs for autism families. Nobody hands you a list after diagnosis. This site is that list. Each guide explains one program: what it does, who it is for, and how to apply. Where to start · No diagnosis yet?

Find programsSee funding guides

Your program journey

Applying for one does not block the others. You can apply for multiple programs at once. The biggest mistake is waiting.

Do these right away
Step 1

Provincial · OAP

Register with AccessOAP

Gets you in line for Core Clinical therapy funding. Invitations are based on your child's OAP registration date. Register once you have a written ASD diagnosis.

$6,600 – $65,000/yr *
Step 2

Federal · CRA

Apply for the Disability Tax Credit

DTC approval is required to open an RDSP and is a prerequisite for Child Disability Benefit payments. RDSP government grants may be available depending on contributions, income, and eligibility. Apply retroactively for up to 10 years.

$3,411/yr + RDSP matching *
Step 3

Provincial · Separate from OAP

Apply for SSAH

Respite workers, camps, daily supports. Separate Ontario program from OAP, with its own eligibility rules. Many families hold both. Many families do not learn about SSAH while waiting for Core Clinical Services.

Step 4

Free · No invitation needed

Use free family services

Workshops, mentoring, professional consultations. No Core Clinical invitation is needed. Availability depends on provider schedules. Most families on the waitlist never sign up.

Other supports to check now
Income tested

Provincial

ACSD

Monthly payment to help with extra costs of disability. Income tested. As of the current Ontario application form, the threshold is listed as $76,920 and payments are listed as $25 to $665 per month. Separate from both SSAH and OAP.

Check first

Provincial

Assistive Devices Program

ADP may cover up to 75% of many approved devices (ACSD recipients may receive up to 100%). Check ADP coverage before using OAP funding for equipment.

School

School board · Separate from OAP

School IEP

Accommodations and supports at school. Request at any time. No diagnosis needed to ask. Separate system from OAP therapy, run by school boards under Ontario special education procedures.

The biggest mistake is waiting.

Register with AccessOAP, apply for the DTC, and apply for SSAH in the same week. They go to different organizations. Applying for one does not block the others. Confirm specific interactions with the relevant program office.

* Amounts shown are approximate and based on publicly available government sources as of April 2026. Actual amounts depend on your child's age, assessed needs, and family situation. Verify on ontario.ca (opens in new tab) and canada.ca (opens in new tab).

Programs to know about

These are the main programs Ontario autism families should know. Each card links to a plain language guide.

Eligibility does not guarantee approval. Some programs have long waitlists, discretionary funding, regional capacity limits, or separate approval processes. Meeting the basic criteria is the first step, not the last.

ProvincialLong wait

OAP Core Clinical

The main therapy funding. Register early.

Under 18Diagnosis neededOAP registeredNeeds based
See how to register
ProvincialFree

Foundational Family Services

Workshops, mentoring, and consultations. No invitation needed.

OAP registeredNo invitation neededFree
See what is available
Provincial

SSAH

Funding for respite and daily supports. Separate from OAP. Discretionary — approval not guaranteed.

Under 18Separate from OAPNo OAP needed
See how to apply
Federal

Disability Tax Credit

Federal tax credit. DTC approval is required for RDSP access and Child Disability Benefit eligibility.

FederalRetroactive 10 yearsRequired for RDSP
See how to apply
ProvincialInvitation needed

Entry to School

School readiness support before kindergarten or Grade 1.

Ages 3 to 6OAP registered6 month program
See how it works
School

School IEP

Your child's school can create an education plan with supports.

School enrolledCan request anytimeNo diagnosis required
See how to request one

Practical references

Pages families come back to throughout the OAP journey. Quick to scan, easy to share.

  • Where to start

    Find your stage — before diagnosis, just diagnosed, waiting for funding, or already receiving services — and see what to do next.

    Go to Start Here

  • Printable first-steps checklist

    One page for the fridge. The first calls, applications, and documents to handle in the early weeks after diagnosis.

    See the checklist

  • OAP Core Clinical waiting times

    What is publicly known about how long families are waiting for a Core Clinical invitation, and what to do during the wait.

    See waiting times

  • What OAP Core Clinical funding can pay for

    Eligible expenses, recurring costs, and what to do if an invoice is rejected.

    See eligible expenses

Questions families ask most

Short answers. If you need more detail, each guide goes deeper.

Is this an official government site?

No. KnowAutism.ca is an independent guidance site. We link to official government sources for everything. Always verify with the official page.

Does the Program Finder save my answers?

No. Your answers stay in your browser and disappear when you close the tab. Nothing is sent to a server.

Can I apply for more than one program at the same time?

Yes. Most programs are run by different parts of government and have separate application processes. Many families hold OAP, SSAH, and the DTC at the same time. Confirm specific interactions with the relevant program office.

How long is the wait for Core Clinical Services?

Invitations go out in the order families registered. The wait is long. Register with AccessOAP as early as possible. Check with AccessOAP for current timelines.

Does my child need a diagnosis to use this site?

You can use KnowAutism without a diagnosis. AccessOAP and OAP funded services (Core Clinical, FFS, CMEY, Entry to School) do require a written ASD diagnosis to register. Other supports — SSAH, the DTC, school IEPs — may apply outside OAP registration. The Program Finder shows you what may apply based on your answers. If you do not have a diagnosis yet, start with our before-diagnosis guide.

What if my child has not been diagnosed yet?

You can still use this site. Some programs do not require an autism diagnosis, and there are things you can do while waiting for an assessment. See our before-diagnosis guide for where to start.

Free OAP Expense Tracker

A simple spreadsheet to track therapy invoices, receipts, and reimbursements. Built for families managing OAP Core Clinical funding.

Your email is stored in a Google Sheet managed by KnowAutism.ca. We use it to send tracker updates and product news. No health information is collected. Privacy details

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