Autism Assessment in Ontario: A Parent’s Guide

If you are wondering whether your child may have autism, knowing where to start can be confusing. This guide explains how to get an autism assessment in Ontario, who can diagnose autism, what an assessment involves, how much private assessment can cost, and what to do after receiving a diagnosis.

• Social communication: Limited use of gestures, facial expressions, or eye contact to communicate; difficulty with back-and-forth interaction; or differences in sharing interests and experiences with others.
• Language and communication: Delayed spoken language, repeating words or phrases, or using language in ways that differ from other children of a similar developmental level.
• Social interaction and play: Difficulty developing peer relationships, limited pretend play, or differences in how your child engages with other children.
• Repetitive behaviours or interests: Repetitive movements or play, unusually intense interests, or a strong preference for routines and predictability.
• Sensory differences: Unusually strong reactions to sounds, textures, lights, smells, or other sensory experiences—or seeking particular sensory input.
• Difficulty with change: Significant distress with transitions, changes to familiar routines, or unexpected events.
• Developmental regression: Losing previously acquired language, social, or other developmental skills. Discuss this promptly with your child’s healthcare provider.

Remember: Autism can look different from one child to another. A child does not need to show every sign, and individual signs can have other explanations. If you have concerns about your child’s development, you do not need to wait until you are certain autism is the cause before seeking advice. Families don’t need a diagnosis to start services with AlphaBee.

• If you are concerned about your child’s development, start by talking with your child’s doctor.
• Your doctor may complete an assessment, make a diagnosis if they have the appropriate expertise, or refer you to another professional.
• You can also contact a public diagnostic hub or arrange a private assessment.

Learn more about Autism Assessment and Diagnosis in Ontario.

Through your family doctor or pediatrician

Your child’s doctor can be a good starting point if you have concerns about communication, social interaction, development, behaviour or other signs of autism.

• Tell your doctor specifically that you are concerned about possible autism and would like an autism or developmental assessment.
• Your doctor may:
  • complete an initial developmental assessment;
  • diagnose autism if they have the appropriate expertise; or
  • refer your child to a pediatrician, developmental pediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist or other qualified professional.
• Bring information that may help the clinician understand your concerns, such as:
  • developmental history;
  • previous assessment reports;
  • speech-language or occupational therapy reports;
  • daycare or school observations;
  • examples of behaviours or developmental differences; and
  • information about when you first noticed your concerns.
• If your doctor does not assess autism, you can ask about a referral to someone with experience diagnosing autism.

Through a public diagnostic hub

Ontario has five regional Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnostic hubs for children and youth under 18. The hubs screen and triage referrals and determine what level of assessment is appropriate for each child. Some children may be diagnosed by a single clinician, while others may require a multidisciplinary assessment.

The five regional hubs are:

• Toronto: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
• Central: Children’s Treatment Network of Simcoe York
• Western: McMaster Children’s Hospital / Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre
• Eastern: CHEO / Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre
• Northern: Child and Community Resources in Sudbury

You can contact your regional hub directly to ask about the referral process.

Example: Families in Toronto can contact Holland Bloorview Child Development Intake at 416-425-6220 ext. 3334 or cdpintake@hollandbloorview.ca.

Privately

You can also arrange an autism assessment through a private psychologist, psychological associate or another qualified professional.

• You may not need a physician referral, although requirements vary by provider.
• Private assessment can offer a shorter wait, but families pay out of pocket.
• Before booking, ask:
  • Is the clinician qualified to diagnose autism in Ontario?
  • Will the diagnostic documentation meet OAP requirements?
  • What assessment tools are included?
  • Is cognitive or adaptive testing included?
  • Does the fee include the written report and feedback appointment?
  • Will the clinician collect information from your child’s school or daycare?
  • Are there additional fees for testing or observations?

• Public assessments: Wait times vary significantly by region and provider.
• Private assessments: Often have shorter waits, but families pay for the assessment.
• Ask about the expected wait before joining a waitlist.
• If the wait is long, you may want to explore both public and private options.

The cost may depend on whether the assessment includes:

• Autism-specific testing
• Cognitive/IQ testing
• Adaptive functioning
• Academic testing
• Parent and developmental interviews
• Parent and teacher questionnaires
• School or daycare information
• Multiple clinicians
• A comprehensive written report
• A feedback and recommendations appointment

That average comes from a small, peer-reviewed Ontario pilot study of caregivers who paid the full cost of a diagnosis out of pocket. Private psychological assessments are not generally covered by OHIP, but some extended health benefit plans provide coverage for psychological assessments. Check your specific benefits plan before booking.

An assessment may include:

1. A parent or caregiver interview
   • Developmental history
   • Communication
   • Social interaction
   • Play
   • Behaviour
   • Sensory differences
   • Developmental milestones
   • Medical and family history
   • Current functioning at home, school or daycare
2. Review of existing information
   • Previous assessments
   • Medical records
   • Speech-language or occupational therapy reports
   • School or daycare information
   • Parent or teacher questionnaires
3. Observation of your child
   • Social communication
   • Interaction
   • Play
   • Communication style
   • Behaviour and responses to social situations
4. Standardized assessment
   • Clinicians may use autism-specific tools such as the ADOS-2, depending on the child’s age, presentation and clinical needs.
   • There is no single test that determines whether a child has autism. The clinician considers multiple sources of information and the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.
5. Assessment of other areas, when appropriate
   • Cognitive functioning
   • Adaptive functioning
   • Language
   • Attention and executive functioning
   • Learning
   • Emotional or mental health
   • Other developmental conditions

Ontario’s diagnostic hubs are required to include a semi-structured interview, observation, review of relevant information, appropriate autism diagnostic tools and review of DSM-5 criteria, with an adaptive measure used when appropriate.

A more detailed report may include:

• Reason for referral
• Developmental history
• Assessment methods and tools
• Assessment results
• Autism-related findings
• Cognitive and adaptive functioning
• Strengths and areas of need
• Additional diagnoses
• Functional impact
• Recommendations for:
  • therapy or intervention;
  • school supports;
  • communication;
  • occupational therapy;
  • behavioural support; and
  • other community resources.

Not all of this information is required for OAP registration, but it can be valuable when planning supports for your child.

After a diagnosis

1. Get a copy of the full assessment report Make sure you understand the diagnosis and recommendations.
2. Register for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) Register through AccessOAP if your child is under 18, lives in Ontario and has a qualifying written autism diagnosis.
3. Explore available OAP services Look at what is available while you consider your longer-term options.
4. Talk with your child’s school or daycare Ask about any supports your child may need.
5. Choose where to start Pick one or two priorities with the professionals supporting your child.
6. Book a consultation with AlphaBee Talk through your options, with or without OAP funding. Book a consultation

• Foundational Family Services: Free services for families registered with OAP, including caregiver workshops, coaching, consultations, mentoring and transition supports.
• Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs: Play-based, child-led programs that help caregivers support young children’s social communication, play, emotional and adaptive development. Programs include JASPER, PRT, PLAY Project, Project ImPACT, Social ABCs and ESI/SCERTS.
  • AlphaBee offers JASPER caregiver coaching through our partnership with SAAAC.
• Entry to School Program: Free support for eligible children with autism entering kindergarten or Grade 1 for the first time, including support for families and educators during the transition to school.
• Urgent Response Services: Time-limited support for eligible children experiencing specific urgent needs, including certain high-risk behaviours or situations.
• Core Clinical Services: Needs-based funding that can be used for eligible services such as ABA, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and mental health services.
  • There is a waitlist for Core Clinical Services. The OAP does not publish a wait time. In October 2025, the Ontario Autism Coalition reported that families then being invited had registered about five years earlier. Register as soon as you have a diagnosis, because your place is set by your registration date.

“Families do not necessarily have to choose between waiting for a diagnosis and getting help.”

Dana Pettus, M.ADS, BCBA, RBA (Ont.)

Depending on your child’s needs, you can explore services that address specific concerns while the diagnostic process is underway.

Importantly, an autism diagnosis does not mean automatic access to unlimited therapy or funding. OAP core clinical services are needs-based. Families work with an AccessOAP care coordinator to identify their child’s strengths, goals and support needs, which informs their funding allocation.

• Autism services at AlphaBee
• Book a free 30-minute call

Ontario resources for parents

• Ontario: Autism assessment and diagnosis
• Ontario Autism Program
• OAP: Foundational Family Services
• OAP: Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs
• OAP: Entry to School Program
• OAP: Urgent Response Services
• OAP: Core Clinical Services and Supports