Enough Waiting!
Why Won’t Doug Ford Hurry Up?
Please help us. Kids with autism need access to core services NOW! Doug Ford and his minister promised 8,500 kids would receive core services by fall 2022. Today we learned that only 8,000 are registered, and only a handful are receiving funding. There are 60,411 autistic kids on the waitlist. Ford and his ministers have more than doubled the waitlist while saying that they would clear it. Well, they haven’t. Not even close. We’ve tried talking to them, we’ve tried protests, we’ve tried petitions. None of it has worked, and our kids can’t wait any longer. So we’re turning to you. Please contact your MPP and tell them that #50KIsNotOK. Don’t accept an answer that implies that this government has done a good job—because they haven’t.
The Facts
Ontario Autism Program Waitlist
When Doug Ford was elected: 23,000
Today: 60,411 (MCCSS website)
Children Receiving Therapy
When Doug Ford was elected: Over 10,000
Today: 4,312 (Feb 28, 2022, statement by MCCSS)
The OAC OAP Action Checklist
Download the checklist
Families to Protest Delays to Autism Program
July 29, 2021 Response to MCCSS Funding Announcement
COVID-19 Autism Support and Resources
OAC Education Resource Guide (2020)
Kids could have shorter wait times for autism diagnoses in Ontario, study suggests – CBC
She blames the current provincial government for these delays, pointing to an Ontario Autism Coalition campaign from last year that outlined how …
Autism Ontario Education Scholarships – DisabilityAwards.ca
The Autism Ontario Education Scholarships include three scholarships available to students with Autism, siblings of Autistic individuals, …
Ontario fails to meet target of providing 8,000 kids funding for autism therapy | CBC News
"I do not believe that there are actually 8,000 children that are receiving therapy under the core services program," Ontario Autism Coalition …
Care for autistic adult son makes it hard for Ontario father to make ends meet
Elizabeth Hunter is an adult referral and supports coordinator with Autism Ontario. She said she receives about 100 calls a month for help for …
Autism advocate surprised police tasering of teen happened in Mississauga – inSauga.com
Both Autism Ontario and Autism Canada spoke out shortly after the incident, calling for increased training for first responders. Marvel superhero star …
Family speaks out after service dog taken away from non-verbal child with autism – CBC
Laura Kirby-McIntosh, a former president of the Ontario Autism Coalition, says ‘service dogs are bred and trained to orient themselves toward the …
Ontario education workers serve five days’ strike notice
CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Unions (OSBCU) central bargaining … explained Angela Brandt, President of the Ontario Autism Coalition.
Media Releases
- Response to MCCSS Funding Announcement
- Statement on Appointment of Minister Merrilee Fullerton
- Autism Community Takes Action Against Minister Todd Smith
- Ontario Autism Coalition Response to the Ontario Autism Program Pilot
- Ontario Autism Coalition Holds Annual General Meeting
- Another Year of Waiting for a Needs-Based Ontario Autism Program
- OAC Releases Education Recommendations for School Re-opening
- The Ford Government Short Changes Autism Families…Again
- Families to Protest Delays to Autism Program (EN)
- Families to Protest Delays to Autism Program (FR)
- Letter to Minister Smith Jan 2019
- Families Still Waiting for Details on New Autism Program
- Recommendations Release
- OAP Enhancement Doesn’t Address the Big Issues (Mar. 2019)
- Minister of Education’s “Autism Announcement” Is Too Little, Too Late (Mar. 2019)
- Ford Government’s One-Size-Fits-All Approach Fails All Children with Autism (Feb. 2019)
- Disability Advocates Call for Action Limiting When Principals Can Exclude Students from School (Jan. 2019)
- OAC demands that the Ford Government end the conflict of interest with the Regional Autism Programs (Nov. 2018)
- Parents Worried That Increased Special Education Funding Will Not Be Spent On What’s Needed (Mar. 2018)
- OAC Will Protest the Lack of Appropriate Supports in Schools for Students with Autism and Other Special Education Needs (Oct. 2017)
- OAC Calls On Ministry of Education to Issue Consistent Policy Allowing Autism Service Dogs In Ontario Schools (Sep. 2017)
- The Autism Community Will Remind The Wynne Government That The New Autism Program Must Serve All Children And Youth With Autism (Apr. 2017)
- Education System Must Change to Meet the Needs of Students with Autism (Apr. 2017)
Briefing Notes to Government
- Presentation To Finance Committee
- Recommendations for Special Education in Ontario’s Public Schools: Exclusions, Suspensions and Expulsions (Oct. 2018)
- Recommendations for changes to the Ontario Autism Program (Aug. 2018)
- Rethinking the Ontario Autism Program – Direct Funding as a Way Forward (May 2016)
Important Letters
- Letter To Minister Smith (Jan 2019)
- Letter to Minister Hon. Lisa MacLeod – Bill 64, Noah and Gregory’s Law (Dec. 2018)
- Letter to Minister Hon. Lisa M. Thompson – Ontario Schools that Exclude or Refuse to Admit Students with Disabilities (Dec. 2018)
- The Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (Aug. 2018)
- Letter to Minister Hon. Mitzie Hunter (July 2017)
- Letter to the Minister Hon. Michael Coteau (Sept 2016)
