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OAP Funding
Got your Autism Diagnosis. What’s next?
If your child has been diagnosed with Autism they might be eligible for funding from the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). If you need services in Toronto, Etobicocke, Scarborough, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Milton , Burlington or Hamilton, our dedicated team is here to help your family navigate funding and make the most of the available resources. We can help your family create and administer a plan that includes all types of supports (groups, individual therapy, parent support, tech, material, and equipment recommendation letters).
All eligible OAP services are available at Speech Buddy with our collaborative team of professionals.
Understanding OAP Funding
The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) is a government initiative in Ontario, Canada, that provides funding and services to support children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. Here’s an overview of how the program works and how funding is structured:
What is the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)?
The OAP is designed to ensure families can access support tailored to their child’s needs. Services can include behavioral therapy, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and other developmental supports.
Key Features of the OAP
1) Families who are registered in the OAP can access Foundational Family Services at any point based on their child’s needs, at no cost.
Foundational Family Services aim to build a family’s capacity to support their child’s learning and development and are offered in a variety of formats including virtual, self-directed, in-person or group-based sessions that are tailored to different family, cultural and regional needs.
2) Caregiver-mediated Early Years programs support eligible families with children between 12-48 months of age by:
- Helping young children learn new skills and meet individualized goals in the areas of social communication and play; and
- Providing parents or caregivers with therapeutic strategies from professionals to support their child’s development.
3) The Entry to School program is available to young children between three to six years of age prior to starting kindergarten or grade one for the first time.
4) Urgent Response Service is available to eligible children and youth registered in the OAP who have an immediate and urgent need.
- These time-limited services will provide a rapid response to a specific, identified need to prevent further escalation or risk of harm to the child or youth, other people or property.
5) Core Clinical Services are available to families based on the sequential order they registered with the OAP.
OAP core clinical services and supports include:
- applied behaviour analysis,
- speech-language pathology,
- occupational therapy,
- mental health services, including counselling and/or psychotherapy, and
- technology, program materials, and/or therapy equipment recommended by an eligible regulated professional.
How OAP Funding Works
Once your child has a diagnosis of Autism, you may apply to the OAP for Core Funding, and join the waitlist for the initial Determination of Needs (DON) interview that will determine your child’s level of funding.
If you have received Interim Funding in the past, you should have received a letter or email from the Government of Ontario to create a new account with AccessOAP and transition your child into the new core funding model (if you can’t find this letter or you haven’t received one yet, you can contact the Central Resource Team at the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services at oap@ontario.ca or 1-888-444-4530).
Once you are registered, you could be on the waitlist for anywhere from a few months to a couple of years – although they seem to be getting to families a little faster at this point now that most families have transitioned from the old funding model to the new one. You won’t hear from them until it’s time to schedule your first appointment with the OAP team.
When your child’s name does come up on the waitlist, someone from OAP will reach out to you to schedule a thorough assessment of your child’s needs called a Determination of Needs (DON) interview (virtual, approximately 4 hours) during which you will talk about all aspects of your child’s needs and development. This will help the funding team decide what level of funding your child requires.
After the DON, you should receive your funding agreement within a few weeks. Once you sign the agreement, funds can either be deposited directly into your bank account or you can opt to be reimbursed as you go. For larger amounts over $20,000, OAP will split it in half and give you 6 months to spend and reconcile the first half before you can receive the second installment.
Most families choose to take the funds in advance, as they may not be able to afford to carry the costs while waiting for reimbursement. We highly recommend opening a separate bank account for your autism funds that is ONLY accessed for eligible services, to avoid getting into financial distress.
Steps to Access the Program
1. Register:
Complete the online registration form or contact the OAP for assistance.
2. Eligibility:
Children must have a formal ASD diagnosis from a qualified professional to be eligible for the OAP.
3. Funding Allocation:
After registering, families receive instructions on how to apply for funding and access services.
4. Choose Providers:
Families can select from government-approved providers or manage their own team of professionals.
Recent Updates
• The Ontario government has been transitioning to a needs-based program to ensure funding is distributed fairly based on the severity of the child’s needs.
• Enhanced services for children under 6 and improved support for school readiness are among the new initiatives.
Tips for Families
• Keep detailed records of therapy and service costs to simplify reimbursement or reporting requirements.
• Seek advice from autism service organizations in Ontario for help navigating the system.
Need help to navigate the system?
Contact us now to book an appointment with our specialized team!