Intensive (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 budgets of up to $63,020 can support either model.
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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 childhood budgets of up to $63,020 for children under 6 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.
Yes, OAP core clinical childhood budgets cover ABA therapy through approved providers. Learn coverage amounts, wait times, and private ABA cost alternatives.
Telehealth ABA therapy expanded significantly post-pandemic. Learn about effectiveness evidence, what works remotely, and Ontario options for rural families.
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.
Verified Facts
Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) delivered to children aged 18–30 months produced significant gains in IQ, adaptive behaviour, and autism severity — some children no longer met diagnostic criteria at follow-up
Cochrane systematic review finds evidence that early intensive behavioural intervention (EIBI) may produce positive effects on adaptive behaviour and communication for young children with ASD (low certainty of evidence)
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement
88,175, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
According to the FAO (2020 report), OAP funding covers less than one-third of estimated need at 2018-19 service levels