Indepdendent Clinical Review (ICR) Process

THE ONTARIO AUTISM PROGRAM (OAP)

UPDATE ON THE AVAILABILITY OF THE INDEPENDENT CLINICAL REVIEW (ICR) PROCESS

English version:
The new Independent Clinical Review (ICR) process for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) is now available.

The ICR offers families and their children the opportunity to have components of their OAP Behaviour Plan reviewed by a team of independent Clinical Reviewers.

For more information on the ICR, please visit www.ontario.ca/autism or www.contactniagara.org.

French version:
Le Nouveau processus d’examen clinique independant (ECI) du Programme ontarien de services en matiere d’autisme (POSA) est maintenant disponible.

L’ECI oofre aux familles et a leurs enfants la possibilite de faire examiner les principaux elements du plan comportemental du POSA par une equipe d’examinateurs cliniques independants.

Pour plus do renseignements sur le ECI, veuillez consulter www.ontario.ca/autisme ou http://www.contactniagara.org/fr.

The Ontario Autism Program 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 OAP 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 will 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.

For more information and to access these services, please contact the single point of access provider in your area.

York Region & Simcoe County:
• Kinark’s Central Intake line @ 1888-454-6275 or you can email them at: autism@kinark.ca

Toronto:
• Surrey Place Center 416 925-5141 Ext # 2289

Peel, Halton, Dufferin, Wellington, Waterloo:
• ErinOakKids 1-877-374-6625 or 905-855-2690