Direct answer
ABA and occupational therapy target different needs and work best together. ABA targets communication, social skills, and behaviour using reinforcement-based learning (10–40 hours/week for intensive programs). OT targets sensory processing, fine motor development, self-care, and environmental adaptation (1–2 hours/week). Both are funded within OAP Core Clinical Services, though most families on the waitlist access these privately.
ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) targets communication, social skills, behaviour patterns, skill acquisition, and reducing harmful behaviours. Approach: reinforcement-based learning; structured trials or naturalistic play. Delivered by RBT (Registered Behaviour Technician) supervised by BCBA. Evidence base: Cochrane 2018 EIBI review — positive gains in adaptive behaviour and communication for ages 0–6 (low-moderate certainty). OAP funded within Core Clinical Services.
OT (Occupational Therapy) targets sensory processing, fine motor development, self-care skills (dressing, eating, hygiene), handwriting, and environmental adaptations. Approach: sensory integration, task analysis, environmental modification, child-led activities. Delivered by Registered Occupational Therapist (OT Reg. — Ontario), regulated by COTO. Evidence base: strong evidence for Ayres Sensory Integration; peer-reviewed support for fine motor and self-care outcomes in autism. OAP funded within Core Clinical Services.
ABA and OT address different but overlapping layers of a child's development. Sensory dysregulation — a core area for OT — can make ABA sessions much harder. A child who is overwhelmed by sound, touch, or visual input may struggle to attend to and benefit from structured ABA learning.
Families who start OT early often report that their child's ABA engagement improves once sensory needs are better managed. Conversely, communication and social gains from ABA can expand what a child can access in OT and school settings. Many Ontario ABA service providers and OTs now work toward shared goals within the child's overall Individualized Program Plan (IPP).
Start with OT first if sensory sensitivities are significantly disrupting daily life, self-care skills are the primary daily struggle, or your child has difficulty sitting or tolerating touch — which will also interfere with ABA sessions.
Start with ABA first if communication is the primary barrier (limited or no functional language), safety-related behaviours are present, or social skills and play skills are the primary developmental priority for the child's age group.
Start both simultaneously if your child has both sensory and communication needs (common), you have funding for both, and your providers are willing to coordinate goals. Always involve your child's diagnostic team in this decision.
Cochrane Collaboration
Reichow et al. (2018), Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) for young children with autism
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
COTO regulation of OT practice in Ontario
BACB
Behavior Analyst Certification Board — RBT and BCBA credentialing
ABA therapy in Ontario typically costs $50–$80/hr for RBTs and $100–$180/hr for BCBAs. How OAP funding compares and what families pay privately.
Private OT for autism in Ontario: $130-$200/hr for sessions, $1,500-$3,500 for assessments. OHIP does not cover private OT. OAP and tax options explained.
Beyond hourly rates: BCBA supervision, initial assessments, parent coaching, and materials add $15,000–$25,000+ to the real annual cost of ABA in Ontario.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
How much does ABA therapy cost in Ontario?
ABA therapy in Ontario costs $50-$150 per hour depending on provider credentials. Monthly costs for intensive programs (20-40 hours/week) range from $4,000 to $24,000. OAP funding covers a portion, but families typically face significant out-of-pocket expenses during the sensitive early intervention period.
Source: Ontario Provider Fee Schedules & FAO 2020 Report · Verify Link
How many hours of ABA therapy does a child need?
Research indicates optimal early behavioral intervention for young children typically requires 25-40 hours per week for 2-3 years to achieve maximum developmental gains. EIBI (Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention) is one evidence-based approach supported by meta-analyses (Reichow et al., Cochrane 2018). The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), studied by Dawson et al. (2010) in toddlers aged 18–30 months, is a related naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention showing significant IQ and adaptive behaviour gains.
Source: Reichow et al., Cochrane 2018 (PMID 29742275); Dawson et al., Pediatrics 2010 (PMID 19948568); BACB Professional Standards · Verify Link
What services are included in the OAP?
The OAP includes: 1) Core Clinical Services (needs-based therapy funding), 2) Foundational Family Services (free webinars/coaching), 3) Caregiver-Mediated Early Years (parent coaching for toddlers), 4) Entry to School (school readiness), and 5) Urgent Response Services (short-term crisis intervention).
Source: Ontario Autism Program Service Streams
How is OAP funding determined?
OAP Core Clinical Services funding is determined by a "Determination of Needs" interview. Based on age and support intensity, annual funding ranges from $6,600 to $65,000. This envelope must cover all eligible therapies (ABA, Speech, OT) and technology for the year.
Source: AccessOAP Determination of Needs
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate