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Private ABA prices vary by provider, clinician role, location and schedule. Ask each provider for an itemized written quote covering direct therapy, clinical supervision, assessment, reports, travel, cancellations, and parent coaching. A qualified clinician should individualize the schedule; do not infer a prescription from a price example.
Confirm the supervision ratio in writing before you sign anything, since a quote for direct therapy may not include supervision. Ask whether virtual delivery is clinically appropriate for your child before assuming it will lower the cost, since suitability and availability vary by region and by case. Request a breakdown of assessment fees and report-writing charges separately from the therapy rate, so a delay in receiving reports does not come as a billing surprise. Keep every invoice, receipt, and the provider's credential on file in case you later pursue the Medical Expense Tax Credit, and confirm eligibility with a tax professional or the CRA before you file, since a prescription from a qualified clinician may be required. Do not commit to a therapy schedule based on a published price range alone. Get a written treatment plan from a qualified clinician first, and only build your household budget once that plan, not an estimate, is in hand.
Every answer on this site sits on the same verified counts. These are the current figures.
Ontario's figures, as of May 2026 (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
Registered
91,974
91,974Children registered
Total registered in the Ontario Autism Program
Funded
20,711
20,711Have active funding
22.5% of registered children
Without active agreement
71,263
71,263Without an active funding agreement
An administrative status; it does not confirm current service delivery.
Figures as of · MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · checked
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Without an active funding agreement | 71,263 |
About This Article
Published:
| Role or service | Details | Source / verification |
|---|---|---|
| RBT (direct therapy) | Front-line therapist (direct therapy): front-line therapists deliver direct, hands-on therapy with your child - running programs, collecting data, and implementing the treatment plan. They are not regulated in Ontario, and the BACB reports that Ontario RBT certifications have been inactive since July 1, 2024. Ask for the hourly rate in writing, and whether home and clinic sessions are priced differently. | Ask each provider for an itemized written quote covering direct therapy, clinical supervision, assessment, reports, travel, cancellations, and parent coaching. |
| BCBA (supervision and program design) | BCBA (supervision and program design): The behaviour analyst designs the treatment program, supervises the front-line therapist, conducts assessments, adjusts goals, writes reports, and provides parent coaching. Ask how many supervision hours the program includes and how they are billed. | Ask each provider for an itemized written quote covering direct therapy, clinical supervision, assessment, reports, travel, cancellations, and parent coaching. |
| Virtual/telehealth ABA | Virtual/telehealth ABA: ask providers whether they offer it. Ask whether it is clinically appropriate for your child and how its price compares. See the hidden costs page for the other charges to ask about. | Ask each provider for an itemized written quote covering direct therapy, clinical supervision, assessment, reports, travel, cancellations, and parent coaching. |
Rates can differ for direct therapy by a front-line therapist and for supervision and program design by a behaviour analyst. Front-line therapists are not regulated in Ontario, and the BACB reports that Ontario RBT certifications have been inactive since July 1, 2024. Ask each provider for an itemized written quote that lists both rates, assessment and report fees, travel, and cancellation charges.
A front-line therapist (direct therapy) delivers hands-on therapy sessions with your child - the hour-by-hour work. A behaviour analyst designs the treatment program, supervises the front-line therapist, conducts assessments, adjusts goals, and writes reports. Front-line therapists are not regulated in Ontario, and the BACB reports that Ontario RBT certifications have been inactive since July 1, 2024. Ask whether the provider bills the two roles separately. Ask how many behaviour analyst hours are included.
Not always. OAP Core Clinical funding is needs-based, from $6,600 to $65,000 a year; it may not cover a full private program.
The number of hours depends on your child's individual needs as assessed by a qualified clinician; there is no universal answer. Once you have a treatment plan, ask the provider for an itemized quote that covers direct therapy, BCBA supervision, assessments, parent coaching, and materials.
Yes - ABA therapy costs can potentially be claimed under the federal Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) when paid to a behaviour analyst authorized in Ontario, or, for a person approved for the Disability Tax Credit, when the therapy is prescribed and supervised by a psychologist, medical doctor or nurse practitioner. The CRA sets a yearly minimum your expenses must exceed; check the current amount on the CRA medical expenses page. Because tax rules change annually and individual circumstances vary, families should confirm eligibility with a tax accountant or CRA before filing.
ABA therapy expenses may qualify for the Medical Expense Tax Credit and other federal programs.
ABA quotes may omit supervision, assessment, reporting, parent coaching, materials, travel, and cancellation charges. Request every fee in writing before signing.
ABA targets behaviour and communication; OT targets sensory and self-care skills. Both OAP-funded. Ontario guide to choosing and combining.
How much does ABA therapy cost in Ontario?
Private ABA fees in Ontario vary by provider, credentials, setting and intensity. Ask for a complete written quote. OAP Core Clinical Services may fund eligible services after a funding invitation ($6,600–$65,000/year).
Source: Ontario Autism Program: guidelines for core clinical services and supports · Open source record
What is the difference between BCBA and RBT?
A BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) holds a master's degree and provides clinical supervision, program design, and oversight. An RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) delivers direct hands-on therapy under BCBA supervision. Both are essential roles in delivering effective ABA therapy programs in Ontario.
Source: BACB Certification Standards · Open source record
What are the out-of-pocket costs for autism therapy?
Private therapy fees in Ontario vary by provider, credentials, setting and intensity, so ask each provider for a complete written quote. OAP Core Clinical Services can fund eligible services after a funding invitation ($6,600–$65,000/year, set by the Determination of Needs). The wait for that invitation is 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026).
Source: Ontario Autism Program: guidelines for core clinical services and supports · Open source record
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Founder & Autism Advocate
Lived experience: Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system