Glossary
Ontario autism acronyms and terms
Every acronym we use on this site, defined in plain language, with a link to the full guide where one exists. If you came here from another page, your browser back button returns you to where you were.
A
- AAC
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Tools and methods (picture boards, dedicated devices, apps) that support non-speaking or minimally speaking children.
- ABA
- Applied Behaviour Analysis. A therapy that focuses on building skills and reducing behaviors that interfere with learning or daily life.
- AccessOAP
- The organization that handles OAP registration and care coordination. Not a government ministry — an independent intake organization. Read the full guide →
- ACSD
- Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities. A monthly provincial payment for families with household income under $76,920. Read the full guide →
- ADP
- Assistive Devices Program. A provincial program that helps pay for equipment like communication aids, wheelchairs, and hearing aids. Read the full guide →
B
- BCBA
- Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. The professional who designs and supervises ABA therapy programs.
C
- CASLPO
- College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario. The regulatory college for SLPs in Ontario.
- CDB
- Child Disability Benefit. A monthly tax-free payment from the federal government. You get it automatically once the DTC is approved and you file taxes.
- Childhood Budget
- Earlier OAP funding stream replaced by Core Clinical for new entrants. Some existing families still hold it.
- CMEY
- Caregiver Mediated Early Years. Free OAP program for children 12 to 48 months with caregiver coaching. Cannot be held at the same time as Core Clinical. Read the full guide →
- Core Clinical
- The main OAP stream that funds ABA, speech, OT, and mental health therapy. Invitations go out in registration order and waits are years long. Read the full guide →
- COTO
- College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. The regulatory college for OTs in Ontario.
- CPBAO
- College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. The regulatory college for BCBAs in Ontario.
- CRA
- Canada Revenue Agency. The federal government agency that handles taxes, the DTC, and benefit payments.
- CSP
- Coordinated Service Planning. A regional service that helps families with complex needs coordinate multiple supports under one plan.
- CTN
- Children's Treatment Network. Regional networks across Ontario that coordinate services for children with special needs. Publicly funded.
D
- DTC
- Disability Tax Credit. A federal tax credit from CRA. Approval unlocks the RDSP savings plan and the Child Disability Benefit. Read the full guide →
E
- EarlyON
- Free Ontario drop-in centres for families with young children (birth to 6). No diagnosis or referral required.
- Entry to School
- OAP program for children ages 3 to 6 that builds school readiness before kindergarten or Grade 1. Invitation required. Read the full guide →
F
- FFS
- Foundational Family Services. Free OAP supports available to all registered families — workshops, peer mentoring, short consultations. No invitation required. Read the full guide →
I
- IEP
- Individual Education Plan. A document created by your child's school that outlines accommodations and supports. No diagnosis is required to request one. Read the full guide →
- IOT
- Interim One-Time funding. A smaller OAP envelope some families received before Core Clinical invitations began.
- IPRC
- Identification, Placement and Review Committee. A formal school board process that identifies a student as exceptional and determines placement.
M
- MCCSS
- Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. The Ontario ministry that runs SSAH and ACSD.
O
- OAP
- Ontario Autism Program. The provincial program that funds autism services for children under 18. Read the full guide →
- OHIP
- Ontario Health Insurance Plan. Covers medically necessary care in Ontario. Some therapies for children are partially covered under OHIP+.
- OT
- Occupational Therapist. A professional who helps with daily living skills, sensory processing, fine motor skills, and self-regulation.
P
- PHIPA
- Personal Health Information Protection Act. Ontario law protecting health information privacy.
- PSW
- Personal Support Worker. A trained worker who helps with daily care and respite tasks.
R
- RDSP
- Registered Disability Savings Plan. A government-matched savings account for your child's future. You need DTC approval to open one.
S
- SLP
- Speech-Language Pathologist. A professional who helps with communication, language development, and alternative communication methods.
- SSAH
- Special Services at Home. A provincial program that funds respite, camps, and daily supports. Separate from OAP. Read the full guide →
T
- T2201
- The CRA form that certifies eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit.
U
- Urgent Response
- Short-term OAP support (up to 12 weeks) for immediate needs. Does not require a Core Clinical invitation. Read the full guide →
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