Does the Ontario Autism Program Cover ABA Therapy?
Direct answer
Yes. Ontario Autism Program core clinical services include applied behaviour analysis therapy. After a family accepts an invitation, AccessOAP determines the child's support needs and annual funding allocation, which can range from $6,600–$65,000/year by age and support intensity. Families can use that allocation to purchase eligible services from providers of their choice.
Key facts
- OAP ABA coverage
- Applied behaviour analysis is included
- Ontario Autism Program core clinical services, ontario.ca
- Annual core funding range
- $6,600–$65,000/year
- Ontario Autism Program guidelines for core clinical services and supports, ontario.ca
- Funding review
- At least once annually
- Ontario Autism Program guidelines for core clinical services and supports, ontario.ca
- ABA provider requirement
- Delivered or supervised by a specified regulated professional
- Ontario Autism Program guidelines for core clinical services and supports, ontario.ca
What this means for your family
Ask your care coordinator to walk you through the same determination of needs process that sets an annual allocation, which happens at least once every 2 years (families may waive the interview for one year). Confirm before therapy starts that whoever provides or supervises the ABA is registered and in good standing with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario, because that requirement applies regardless of which provider you choose. Get proposed fees in writing and agreed to before service delivery begins, since Ontario expects families and providers to settle costs up front rather than after sessions have started. Remember that the funding allocation, which ranges from $6,600–$65,000/year depending on age and assessed intensity, can also be used for speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, mental health services, or recommended equipment, not only ABA. If your child's needs change between reviews, raise it with your coordinator rather than waiting for the next determination.
The numbers behind this answer
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
91,974Children registered
Total registered in the Ontario Autism Program
Funded
20,711Have active funding
22.5% of registered children
Without active agreement
71,263Without an active funding agreement
An administrative status; it does not confirm current service delivery.
Show as table
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Without an active funding agreement | 71,263 |
About This Article
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Last updated:
What OAP ABA coverage means
- The Ontario Autism Program provides access to applied behaviour analysis therapy through core clinical services. The same service stream can include speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, mental health services, and recommended technology, program materials or therapy equipment.
- Families may use their OAP funding allocation to purchase eligible core clinical services and supports. AccessOAP says families can purchase core clinical services, including applied behaviour analysis, from providers of their choice.
How a family receives core clinical funding
- After a family accepts an invitation to core clinical services, an AccessOAP care coordinator guides the family through determining support needs and funding. Ontario's published annual allocation table ranges from $6,600–$65,000/year, depending on the child's age range and assessed support intensity.
- Care coordinators complete the determination of needs process with a family at least once annually so that a child's changing support needs can be reflected. The resulting funding allocation is for eligible core clinical services and supports.
Qualified providers and fees
- ABA funded through OAP must be delivered or supervised by a behaviour analyst, psychologist or psychological associate who is registered and in good standing with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario.
- Ontario's current guideline says that all fees for OAP core clinical services and supports should be established, communicated and agreed by the family and service provider before service delivery. Families should confirm the proposed fees before services begin.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Applied behaviour analysis therapy is included in OAP core clinical services, and families may use their OAP funding allocation to purchase eligible core clinical services and supports.
Ontario's published annual core clinical funding table ranges from $6,600–$65,000/year. The allocation depends on the child's age range and assessed support intensity.
Yes. After a family accepts an invitation to core clinical services, an AccessOAP care coordinator guides the family through determining the child's support needs and funding.
ABA must be delivered or supervised by a behaviour analyst, psychologist or psychological associate registered and in good standing with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario.
Ontario's guideline says fees for OAP core clinical services should be established, communicated and agreed by families and service providers before service delivery.
Sources
Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Ontario Autism Program: guidelines for core clinical services and supports, updated March 10, 2026
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Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Ontario Autism Program: core clinical services, updated March 10, 2026
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Providers and core clinical services available for purchase
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2025 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, Ontario Autism Program service description
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