Ontario Autism Funding: What’s Available & How to Access It

Families and individuals can access a variety of funding streams at different life stages. Here's a breakdown:

Program	Who Is Eligible	How to Apply	Funding Amount	How Funds Can Be Spent
Ontario Autism Program (OAP)	Children & youth under 18 with a formal ASD diagnosis and Ontario residency	Through AccessOAP portal; need ASD diagnosis	Core clinical services budgets (may exceed $25K/year for therapy)	Therapy/clinical services: ABA, speech, OT, mental health, program material needs
Summer One‑to‑One Support Worker Fund	Children/youth ≤18 with ASD	Apply via Autism Ontario in May 2025	Max $600 per child for July–Aug 2025	Reimbursement for 1:1 support workers at camp/outings
March Break Reimbursement Fund	Children/youth ≤18 with ASD	Apply Dec–Jan via Autism Ontario. Random draw	Up to $350 per child	Reimbursement for camps or 1:1 supports during March Break
Autism Direct Funding (Waterloo Region only)	Children <18 with ASD in Waterloo Region	Apply via Sunbeam/EAFWR by Jan 31, 2025	Up to $500	Camp, respite, recreation/skill development (no therapy)
Geneva Centre Financial Relief Program	Children enrolled in OAP classroom Level 1 or 2	Apply Jan–Feb 2025; submit income & OAP docs	Up to $15K–$25K for 2025–26	Applied directly to program fees (ABA classroom)
Incontinence Supplies Grant	Children 3–18 with chronic incontinence & ASD	Apply w/ health card via Easter Seals Ontario	Two annual payments (amount unspecified)	Covers diapers & related supplies
ODSP (Adults 18+)	Adults 18–64 with verified disability (e.g. ASD) & income/assets below cutoffs	Apply at local ODSP office	Varies; monthly income + benefits (prescription, dental, vision, etc.)	Basic living expenses, health coverage, employment supports
Passport (via DSO)	Adults 18+ with developmental disability (including ASD)	Apply through local DSO office	Varies by need	Community participation, respite for caregivers
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)	Persons of any age with severe impairment	Apply via CRA & approved health professional	Tax credit reduces income tax	Indirect support; unlocks other programs
Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)	Adults 18–64, DTC-approved individuals	Apply via Service Canada (online, phone, in-person)	Varies (estimator tool available); started June 2025	Monthly income support
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)	DTC-approved individuals of any age	Open with financial institution	Government grants & bonds based on contributions	Long-term savings for disability-related costs
Henson Trust	Families of adults (18+) with disabilities	Set up via a lawyer/trust company	No set max; protects assets eligibility	Hold assets without affecting ODSP eligibility

Key Takeaways

For children and youth under 18, the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) is the primary source of funding, offering significant financial support for core clinical services such as ABA, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Additional seasonal supports like the Summer One-to-One Support Worker Fund and the March Break Reimbursement Fund can help cover recreational and respite needs, while region-specific programs such as Autism Direct Funding (available only in Waterloo Region) offer further assistance. Some provider-based supports, like the Geneva Centre’s Financial Relief Program, provide substantial subsidies for therapy programs. Once individuals turn 18, OAP funding ends, but there are several options available for adults with autism. These include income and health-related supports through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), community and respite services through the Passport program, and financial tools like the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). A Henson Trust may also be considered to protect assets without impacting ODSP eligibility. It's important to note that some programs are regionally restricted and most require official ASD documentation and proof of Ontario residency. Families should stay informed about application timelines and take advantage of both government and community-based supports at every stage.

Next Steps for Families

1. Get or renew diagnosis documentation — ensure everything is on official letterhead.

2. Start with OAP via AccessOAP.

3. Track current application windows — May for summer fund, Dec–Jan for March Break, Jan–Feb for Geneva Centre.

4. Adults should investigate ODSP, Passport, and tax filings for DTC.

5. Consider long-term tools like RDSP or establishing a Henson Trust.