Ontario Autism Program

Registration

• Registration is completed through AccessOAP or by calling 1-833-425-2445 (with interpreter support if needed).
• To register, the family will need:
  • proof of age
  • proof of residency (see document below for options) 
  • diagnostic letter clearly stating the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

For more information about the OAP, please visit the Ontario Autism Program website.  

Once registered, the child will be able to access the OAP until they turn 18. During that time, families can access various OAP services and supports depending on their child’s strengths and needs, as well as program availability. Families can check the AccessOAP family portal for their child’s OAP reference number. The first service that's available to families as soon as they register is Foundational Family Services.

Information on services

1. Foundational Family Services (FFS):
   Free caregiver workshops, individual caregiver coaching and support groups for caregivers and siblings. 

   Ontario Autism Program: foundational family services (FFS) are free of charge and available as soon as a family registers. They aim to provide families with more tools support their child's ongoing learning and development.



2. OAP Caregiver Mediated Early Years programs (CMEY): 
   For children ages 12 to 48 months: by OAP invitation

   Ontario Autism Program: caregiver-mediated early years programs (CMEY) programs are free of charge, and available to families with children ages 12 to 48 months who have received an invitation to participate from the OAP. These programs are individualized and play-based. The programs help children and caregivers to learn new skills and meet individualized goals. 

   For information about all CMEY programs offered in Ontario, visit Ontario Autism Program: caregiver-mediated early years programs - find services



3. Entry to School programs (ETS): 
   For children eligible for kindergarten or grade 1 entering for the first time by OAP invitation

   Ontario Autism Program: entry to school program (ETS) programs are free of charge, and available to families with children who are eligible for kindergarten or grade 1 and have not yet entered school. An invitation for the ETS program is sent by the OAP to eligible families. This program includes two parts. The first part is a six-month, group-based, skill-building program, focused on helping children develop school-readiness skills in six key areas. The second part provides your child with individual transition supports as they enter school.

4. Urgent Response Service (URS):
   Ontario Autism Program: urgent response services - short-term service for children or youth who are currently experiencing an urgent need. Service is intended to prevent a crisis or reduce the risk of harm to self, others or property.

5. Core Clinical Services funding: 
   Ontario Autism Program: core clinical services - funding for “core clinical services” based on a child’s individual needs. Funding may be used for applied behaviour analysis (ABA), speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and/or mental health services. A care coordinator from AccessOAP will complete a “determination of needs” process to determine annual funding allocation.
   Help for families finding service providers
   • OAP Provider List - Listing of ABA Providers, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Psychological Associates.
   • College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario - Listing of Speech-Language Pathologists who are members of their regulatory college.
     Telephone: 416-975-5347
   • College Of Occupational Therapists of Ontario - Listing of Occupational Therapists who are members of their regulatory college. 
     Telephone: 416-214-1177
   • College of Psychologists of Ontario - Listing of Psychologists who are members of their regulatory college
     Telephone: 416-961-8817

SmartStart Hubs make it easier for families in Ontario to connect with child development services in their communities as early as possible. Caregivers who have a concern about their child’s development or day-to-day functioning can contact their local SmartStart Hub to get support in determining next steps. Services are provided to children and youth living in Ontario from birth until the age of 19, or up to age 21 if they are in school, and no diagnosis or referral is needed.

Children’s Treatment Centres across the province, and Surrey Place in Toronto, deliver SmartStart Hubs services, which include:

• supporting the identification of children’s and families’ strengths, goals and needs; and
• connecting families to local professionals in early intervention and child development for assessments, services, and/or family-based supports.

Find your local SmartStart Hub.

See attachment below for a full list of organizations in Ontario providing Foundational Family Services and other programs for children and youth with Autism.