Direct answer
Quick AnswerIntensive (comprehensive) ABA involves 20-40 hours/week across multiple developmental domains and is recommended by the BACB for young children under 5 with broad skill deficits. Focused ABA involves 10-15 hours/week targeting specific goals and suits older children or those with circumscribed needs. Cost difference is substantial: intensive ABA costs $50,000-$80,000/year privately versus $25,000-$40,000 for focused. OAP core clinical services funding of $6,600–$65,000/year can support either model.
Start with the short answer, then reveal deeper context where helpful.
Intensive (comprehensive) ABA programs of 20-40 hours per week address multiple developmental domains simultaneously: communication, social skills, adaptive behaviour, pre-academic skills, and behaviour reduction. The seminal Lovaas (1987) study and subsequent replications support intensive early intervention for children under 5 with significant skill deficits across domains.
Focused ABA programs of 10-15 hours per week target a limited number of specific goals: for example, improving functional communication, reducing a specific challenging behaviour, or building social interaction skills. This model is appropriate for: school-aged children who attend school full-time, children with specific skill gaps rather than pervasive delays, and as a step-down from intensive programming.
Intensive (comprehensive) ABA programs of 20-40 hours per week address multiple developmental domains simultaneously: communication, social skills, adaptive behaviour, pre-academic skills, and behaviour reduction. The seminal Lovaas (1987) study and subsequent replications support intensive early intervention for children under 5 with significant skill deficits across domains.
Intensive ABA typically involves daily sessions of 4-8 hours, delivered in clinic and/or home settings. The child works with an RBT on structured and naturalistic teaching programs designed and supervised by a BCBA. This model requires significant family commitment in terms of scheduling and home generalization practice. BACB guidelines (2014) recommend intensive programming when the assessment reveals broad skill deficits relative to same-age peers.
Focused ABA programs of 10-15 hours per week target a limited number of specific goals: for example, improving functional communication, reducing a specific challenging behaviour, or building social interaction skills. This model is appropriate for: school-aged children who attend school full-time, children with specific skill gaps rather than pervasive delays, and as a step-down from intensive programming.
The cost difference is significant. At typical Ontario RBT rates ($50-65/hour), intensive ABA (30 hours/week) costs approximately $78,000-$101,000/year, while focused ABA (12 hours/week) costs approximately $31,200-$40,560/year. OAP core clinical services funding of $6,600–$65,000/year can fund approximately 20-24 hours/week at mid-range rates, falling between intensive and focused models.
BACB
Behaviour Analyst Certification Board, Practice Guidelines for Healthcare Funders and Managers (2014)
Research
Lovaas (1987), "Behavioral Treatment and Normal Educational and Intellectual Functioning in Young Autistic Children," JCCP, 55(1), 3-9
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.
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