Direct answer
Yes, families can receive private ABA therapy alongside OAP Foundational services while waiting for a core clinical invitation. When receiving OAP Core Clinical services, additional private therapy must be coordinated with your OAP-approved provider to avoid conflicts with your individualized behaviour plan. There is no rule prohibiting supplementary private services.
Start with the short answer, then reveal deeper context where helpful.
With 69,166 children waiting for OAP core clinical services and waits averaging 5+ years, many families turn to private ABA therapy to provide early intervention during the critical developmental window. Private ABA can be accessed from any qualified provider — it is not restricted to the OAP Provider List when paying privately.
Once you receive an OAP core clinical invitation, your approved provider develops an individualized behaviour plan. If you wish to continue private ABA alongside funded services, inform your OAP provider so the plans are aligned. Conflicting approaches across providers can undermine consistency, which is a key principle of effective ABA.
With 69,166 children waiting for OAP core clinical services and waits averaging 5+ years, many families turn to private ABA therapy to provide early intervention during the critical developmental window. Private ABA can be accessed from any qualified provider — it is not restricted to the OAP Provider List when paying privately.
Families receiving OAP Foundational services can simultaneously access private ABA without limitation. Foundational services (group workshops, family capacity building) are designed to complement, not replace, individualized clinical supports, so parallel private therapy is consistent with the program design.
Once you receive an OAP core clinical invitation, your approved provider develops an individualized behaviour plan. If you wish to continue private ABA alongside funded services, inform your OAP provider so the plans are aligned. Conflicting approaches across providers can undermine consistency, which is a key principle of effective ABA.
There is no OAP policy prohibiting supplementary private therapy during core clinical service receipt. However, your childhood budget can only be spent with OAP-approved providers — you cannot redirect OAP funds to private (non-approved) therapists.
MCCSS
Ontario Autism Program — Core Clinical Service Guidelines (2024)
ONTABA
Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis — Private Practice Rate Survey (2024)
Yes, OAP core clinical childhood budgets cover ABA therapy through approved providers. Learn coverage amounts, wait times, and private ABA cost alternatives.
Understand the difference between OAP core clinical services (childhood budgets up to $63K) and foundational family services available while waiting.
BACB clinical guidelines recommend 20-40 hours/week for intensive ABA and 10-15 hours/week for focused ABA. Learn which intensity is right for your child.
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.
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate