Direct answer
Lovaas/Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is structured, table-based, and adult-directed. It can help teach specific skills. PRT (Pivotal Response Training) is naturalistic, child-led, and play-based. It targets motivation and self-management. Both are ABA-based approaches and may be funded when part of an approved ABA plan. Modern Ontario ABA programs often blend both.
Lovaas/DTT (Discrete Trial Training): Style is structured, adult-directed, table-based. Method: clear stimulus → response → reinforcement loop; mass trials of one skill at a time. Best for specific discrete skills — colours, letters, matching, early imitation, requesting. Evidence: Lovaas 1987 (landmark IQ/language gains); Cochrane 2018 EIBI review. Can feel repetitive; some autistic adults have noted the rigidity of early DTT-only programs. Skills may require explicit generalization training to transfer to natural settings.
PRT (Pivotal Response Training): Style is naturalistic, child-led, play-based. Method: targets "pivotal" areas (motivation, self-management, initiation, responsiveness to cues) that unlock broad skill growth. Best for communication, social motivation, flexibility, skill use in natural settings. Evidence: multiple UCSB trials (Koegel lab); strong evidence for social communication gains. Requires skilled implementation. Skills transfer to natural settings more readily — a core design feature.
Both approaches have strong peer-reviewed support, but they have been studied in different ways. The Lovaas 1987 study — which reported that nearly half of treated children achieved normal educational and intellectual function — remains one of the most cited studies in autism intervention. Subsequent replication has been mixed, but the overall evidence for intensive early ABA (which typically involves DTT) is among the strongest in the field.
PRT research, largely from the Koegel Autism Center at UC Santa Barbara, consistently shows gains in spontaneous communication, social initiations, and motivation. Critically, PRT is associated with better generalization — skills learned during PRT transfer more readily to home, school, and community settings than skills learned in isolated DTT sessions.
The current consensus in evidence-based ABA practice supports a blended approach: DTT for specific skill acquisition and PRT (or other naturalistic ABA methods) for communication, motivation, and generalization. Very few reputable Ontario ABA providers deliver only one approach.
What ABA approaches do you use? A good answer names both structured and naturalistic methods and explains how they are blended. What percentage of sessions are table-based versus naturalistic? The ratio should reflect your child's current goals and learning style.
How do you measure progress and adjust the program? Data collection and regular program reviews are core features of quality ABA. Will my family receive parent training? Parent training in PRT and naturalistic ABA is itself evidence-based and extends therapy to daily routines.
What are the supervising BCBA's credentials? Verify at bacb.com/registry. PRT certification (PRT-A) is an additional credential some BCBAs hold.
Lovaas 1987
Foundational study of intensive early ABA — IQ and language outcomes
Koegel Autism Center
UC Santa Barbara — PRT research and certification
BACB
Behavior Analyst Certification Board — provider verification
ABA targets behaviour and communication; OT targets sensory and self-care skills. Both OAP-funded. Ontario guide to choosing and combining.
ABA therapy in Ontario typically costs $50–$80/hr for RBTs and $100–$180/hr for BCBAs. How OAP funding compares and what families pay privately.
What ESDM therapy is, its evidence base, how to find certified Ontario providers, and whether OAP funds Early Start Denver Model intervention.
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.
How much does ABA therapy cost in Ontario?
ABA therapy in Ontario costs $50-$150 per hour depending on provider credentials. Monthly costs for intensive programs (20-40 hours/week) range from $4,000 to $24,000. OAP funding covers a portion, but families typically face significant out-of-pocket expenses during the sensitive early intervention period.
Source: Ontario Provider Fee Schedules & FAO 2020 Report · Verify Link
How many hours of ABA therapy does a child need?
Research indicates optimal early behavioral intervention for young children typically requires 25-40 hours per week for 2-3 years to achieve maximum developmental gains. EIBI (Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention) is one evidence-based approach supported by meta-analyses (Reichow et al., Cochrane 2018). The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), studied by Dawson et al. (2010) in toddlers aged 18–30 months, is a related naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention showing significant IQ and adaptive behaviour gains.
Source: Reichow et al., Cochrane 2018 (PMID 29742275); Dawson et al., Pediatrics 2010 (PMID 19948568); BACB Professional Standards · Verify Link
What is the difference between BCBA and RBT?
A BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) holds a master's degree and provides clinical supervision, program design, and oversight. An RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) delivers direct hands-on therapy under BCBA supervision. Both are essential roles in delivering effective ABA therapy programs in Ontario.
Source: BACB Certification Standards · Verify Link
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate