Government Launches New Ontario Autism Program

The new Ontario Autism Program was officially launched to start on June 26, 2017. The goals of the new program is to ensure that all families of children and youth with autism receive flexible, family-centred services based on each child’s unique needs. The new OAP will ensure autism services for children and youth are delivered consistently across the province, allow for flexibility and choice based on each child's needs, and give families confidence in receiving quality services.

The key components of the new program include:

  • A single point of access. There will be one entry point to the OAP in each of the nine service areas to make it easier for families to access services for their child.
  • Family-centred decision making. As key partners in their child's care, families will be actively engaged in the assessment, goal-setting and intervention planning process for their child.

  • Collaborative approach to service. A foundation of the new OAP will be the collaborative approach taken by community support service providers, clinicians and educators to support children's needs at home, during service and in school.

  • Service based on need. Services will be flexible and individualized. The intensity and duration of the services a child or youth receives is based on their needs and strengths, regardless of age. Each child's service plan will be determined by clinical assessment.

  • A direct funding option. A new direct funding option will be implemented by the end of this year. This will provide all families with a choice between receiving direct service or receiving funding to purchase their child's service.

  • Safe, effective autism services. The province intends to regulate ABA practitioners to help ensure families receive safe, high-quality services, have confidence in their providers and know where to go if they have a concern. 

The government is committed to ensuring families are supported through a smooth and seamless transition as they enter the new OAP. Transition planning within the new program is promised to be individualized, planned in advance and will be achieved in partnership with each child's family, OAP professionals and service providers. Children and youth with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder from a qualified professional will be eligible for the OAP up until the age of 18.

The province has worked closely with families, caregivers, advocates, clinicians and providers to build the new OAP, and will continue to engage with key stakeholders, including the OAP Advisory Committee, on the design and implementation of the new program. The new OAP will be fully in place by spring 2018. The province is investing a half-billion dollars over five years to create new services for children and youth with ASD.

Program Implementation

Families with children and youth with autism received communications from the Minister of Children and Youth Services in late June, suggesting the program was ready to start.  However, only components are ready for full implementation. This includes;

The Direct Funding Option is still under development but is promised by the end of December 2017.  It remains unclear what services will be eligible under this model and how this will be operationalized.  Families have expressed concern that they don't see specific listing of occupational therapy and speech language pathology services at this point in time.

The full program is expected to be implemented by Spring 2018.

Implications for Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists who work with children and youth on the spectrum will be interested to understand the details of the new program.  A basic under-pinning of the program is a commitment to a focus on behaviour-based interventions.  What is unclear at this point is what exactly does that include or not include.  Does this include occupational therapy interventions, or some OT interventions or not?  Parents who work with OTs are asking this same question. They have been hopeful that a more flexible, individualized program would allow for options such as occupational therapy.  It is our understanding that current work is focused on determining which services will be accessible through Direct Funding Options.  OTs are advised to encourage parents they may work with to voice their concerns to the Minister of Children and Youth Services and to clearly articulate their concern that occupational therapy be a resource that is accessible and funded for those children and youth who benefit.  A copy to OSOT would assure that the Society can also follow-up.

Your own letters and OSOT's will also be important, however the family voice speaks to the needs of the clients that the province is trying to address.

OSOT will be closely monitoring this issue.  OSOT's representative to the Provincial Advisory Committee, Debra Kennedy, is also a vocal advocate for this decision.