Over 50,000 autistic children in Ontario are currently stuck on a growing waitlist for Core Clinical Services through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). These essential services include:

• Speech and language therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Behavioural therapy
• Mental health supports

These are not optional — they are critical services that allow autistic children to learn, communicate, and thrive.

For non-verbal and minimally verbal children, access to these supports can mean the difference between isolation and connection. Without timely speech therapy or access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), these children are left without a voice — and without the tools to participate in the world around them.

Many families are waiting years, while their children miss crucial windows for early intervention. These delays cause long-term developmental harm, emotional strain on families, and ultimately higher long-term costs for our education and healthcare systems.

As a mother to a (almost) 5-year-old non-verbal autistic daughter, I know this wait far too well. We’ve waited years for access to services that could help her connect with the world. She — like so many others — cannot wait any longer.

This isn’t just a number. It’s 50,000 children, 50,000 families, 50,000 futures on hold.

We are calling on Hon. Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, and Premier Doug Ford to:

✅ Provide emergency funding to reduce the OAP waitlist immediately
✅Increase transparency on funding allocation and waitlist management
✅Commit to sustainable, equitable, and timely access to services for all autistic children in Ontario

Autism doesn’t wait — and our children shouldn’t have to either.