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OAP Core Clinical Services
Last verified: August 2026. Always confirm details on the official page.
Who is eligible for OAP Core Clinical Services
Your child needs a written ASD diagnosis, OAP registration through AccessOAP, and must be under 18. Funding is not income tested. Invitations go out in registration order.
Eligibility check
- Written ASD diagnosis from a qualified professional
- OAP registration through AccessOAP
- Invitation required (based on registration date)
- Not income tested
- Under 18
Core Clinical Services are the main OAP pathway for needs-based autism therapy funding. They cover , speech therapy (), occupational therapy (), and mental health supports. You choose your own providers. Families receive a funding allocation and must follow OAP spending and reconciliation rules.
Register today. Invitations are based on your child's OAP registration date. Many families wait a long time; exact wait times are not published and can vary.
How do I register for OAP Core Clinical
Register through AccessOAP online, by phone, or with a paper form. If your documents are ready it takes a few minutes. Do this the day you receive a written diagnosis.
Before you start, have these ready:
- Written ASD diagnosis including your child's full name, date of birth, assessment date, and a statement they meet the criteria. The professional's name and credentials must be on it.
- Proof your child lives in Ontario
- Proof your child is under 18
Three ways to register:
- Online: Go to accessoap.ca, create an account, upload your documents.
- By phone: Call 1-833-425-2445 (Mon to Fri, 8:30am to 5pm ET).
- Paper form: Download from the AccessOAP site, fill it out, submit with your documents.
Common mistake
Waiting until the diagnosis report is "final" before registering. If you have a written diagnosis, register immediately. Invitations are based on your child's OAP registration date.
What happens after I register with AccessOAP
OAP Core Clinical timeline
- Register
- Wait (varies)
- Invitation
- Needs assessment
- Funding level
- Choose providers
- Start services
- You get an AccessOAP account and a care coordinator.
- You wait for an invitation. Invitations go out in registration order.
- When your invitation arrives, you do a Determination of Needs assessment.
- Based on that assessment, your child gets a funding level.
- You choose providers, start services, and track your expenses.
Common mistake
Not using Foundational Family Services while you wait. These are free. No Core Clinical invitation is needed. Availability depends on provider schedules. Many families do not learn about them while waiting for Core Clinical Services.
How much funding does OAP Core Clinical provide
Funding is not a sliding scale. The Determination of Needs assessment places your child at one level of assessed need — limited, moderate, moderate plus, or extensive — and each level pays a set amount for their age band. Your child receives one of the amounts below, not a figure in between.
| Age | Limited | Moderate | Moderate plus | Extensive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 | $10,900 | $10,900 | — | $65,000 |
| 4 to 9 | $8,900 | $24,500 | $36,800 | $65,000 |
| 10 to 14 | $7,600 | $18,800 | — | $41,400 |
| 15 to 17 | $6,600 | $18,300 | — | $31,900 |
Amounts are from Ontario's published guidelines for core clinical services and supports. Your child's age band is set by their age on January 1 of the calendar year of the Determination of Needs interview — not their age when you apply. Allocations over $25,000 are paid in instalments of up to $25,000 each, and you must report your expenses before the next payment is released.
What expenses are eligible under OAP Core Clinical
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
- Speech-language pathology
- Occupational therapy
- Mental health and psychotherapy
- Therapy materials and sensory supplies recommended by your provider
- Communication devices if not covered by ADP
Check ADP before buying devices. Not covered: daycare, tuition, guide dogs.
Before using OAP funding for equipment or technology, check whether ADP or another public program may cover it. OAP rules may not allow reimbursement of the portion another funding source covers. Check the full eligible/ineligible list on the Ontario page before spending.
What can I do while waiting for OAP Core Clinical
Many families wait a long time for Core Clinical Services, but you can sign up for Foundational Family Services and apply for SSAH today. CMEY (ages 12 to 48 months) and Entry to School (ages 3 to 6) are accessed by AccessOAP invitation; if your child is in range and you have not been invited, call AccessOAP. Note: you cannot receive CMEY and Core Clinical at the same time.
Foundational Family Services
Free workshops, mentoring, and consultations. No invitation needed.
See what is available →
Full guide: what to do while waiting
All programs, provider research tips, and preparation steps for when your invitation arrives.
Read the While You Wait guide →
How do I manage Core Clinical funding once I receive it
- You do a Determination of Needs assessment. Based on that, your child gets a funding level.
- You choose your own providers. Not sure what to look for? Read the provider guide
- You start services and track your expenses.
- You have an annual Determination of Needs reassessment.
Managing expenses
Eligible expenses: ABA therapy sessions, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, mental health services (counselling, psychotherapy), therapy materials and sensory supplies recommended by your provider, and communication devices not covered by ADP.
Not eligible: generic daycare fees, standard private school tuition, guide dog maintenance, or devices that ADP would cover. Check the full eligible/ineligible list on the Ontario page before spending.
How to submit: through the AccessOAP portal online, or by paper form. Ontario requires you to account for what you have spent before your next payment is released. That applies to every family, whether your allocation arrives as one payment or split into instalments — anything above $25,000 a year is paid in instalments capped at $25,000 each.
What to keep: original receipts, provider invoices, and a letter of recommendation from a regulated professional for any materials or equipment purchases.
How long: keep all records for at least 7 years.
What mistakes do families make with Core Clinical
Different mistakes hit at different stages. Skim the stage that fits your situation.
Not yet registered
Registered, waiting for invitation
Invited or receiving funding
Contact
Official source
This guide is based on publicly available government information. Always verify with the official page:
ontario.ca: Ontario Autism Program (opens in new tab)Last verified against official source: August 2026
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What to do next
Apply for SSAH today
Separate from OAP. Respite and daily supports. Many families miss years of this.
See how to apply for SSAH →
Apply for the Disability Tax Credit
Federal. DTC approval is required for RDSP access and Child Disability Benefit eligibility. Retroactive 10 years.
See how to apply for the DTC →
Start researching providers now
When your invitation arrives, you need to choose fast. Build a shortlist early.
Read the provider guide →
Not sure what other programs may apply?
Find programs