Mission

Advocating for Timely Autism Therapy for Children

Our Mission

At the Embers for Access Foundation (EAF), we exist to offer a vital stop-gap avenue for children with autism and their families — particularly those caught in the gap while waiting for publicly funded services. Across Ontario, countless families face years of delay before accessing programs through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).

Meanwhile, research clearly shows that early intervention matters profoundly.

We believe every child deserves the chance to build foundational skills, make social connections, and strengthen their supports — without being held back by systemic barriers such as waitlists, funding caps, or insurance delays.

Why This Matters

In Ontario, more than 60,000 children are currently registered on waitlists for core clinical autism services such as behaviour therapy, speech-language, occupational therapy, and social skills programs.
Some estimates suggest that for certain families, the wait for core services has stretched to five to seven years.
Research consistently demonstrates that starting intervention early — ideally before age three — is strongly associated with improved long-term outcomes, including gains in communication, social interaction, and adaptive functioning.
The brain in early childhood has a high degree of neuroplasticity, making early access to therapy one of the most effective investments in a child’s future.

In short: when families are delayed in access, children lose precious developmental time.

What Families Can Access

Through our partner network, families may be eligible for funding toward:

1:1 Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapy
Group and Social Skills Programs
Parent Coaching and Caregiver Education
Speech-Language Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Remote and Community-Based Services

Each program is designed to help children build lifelong skills, strengthen family relationships, and foster confidence and connection.

For Families

When applications open, families will be invited to apply for funding through the EAF Subsidy Program.

Eligibility criteria:

Diagnosis: The child must have a confirmed autism diagnosis or a referral letter from a developmental paediatrician.
Household Income: Families with a total household income of $150,000 or less will be prioritized.
Funding Overlap: Children currently receiving other 1:1 therapy funding are not eligible.
Family Involvement: Caregivers must be active participants — attending meetings, trying strategies at home, and joining workshops or coaching sessions.
Community Support: Because this program is made possible through donors and fundraising, families are encouraged to help with events and initiatives that sustain it.