Can You Combine Private ABA With OAP Services?

With 71,263 children waiting for OAP core clinical services and waits of 5+ years (ETWO analysis of MCCSS FOI data), 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.