What is the cost of private autism therapy in Ontario?

Private autism therapy in Ontario costs $60-$125 per hour for ABA therapy, $150-$200 per hour for speech-language pathology, and $120-$175 per hour for occupational therapy. Intensive ABA therapy at clinically recommended levels (20-40 hours per week) costs $50,000-$80,000 annually. Autism diagnostic assessments cost $2,000-$4,000 from private psychologists. Most Ontario families cannot afford these costs without taking on debt, reducing work hours, or forgoing treatment entirely. OAP funding typically covers only $8,000-$22,000 annually, leaving families to pay significant out-of-pocket costs.

Does insurance cover private autism therapy in Ontario?

Insurance coverage for private autism therapy in Ontario varies significantly. Some extended health plans cover speech therapy and occupational therapy but typically limit annual amounts ($500-$2,500). Most plans do not cover ABA therapy, which is the most expensive evidence-based autism treatment. Families should check their specific policy for: speech-language pathology coverage, occupational therapy coverage, psychological services coverage, and annual or lifetime maximums. Some families have successfully accessed coverage through employee benefits, health spending accounts, or special provisions for medical therapy, but coverage remains the exception rather than the rule.

Are there any low-cost or sliding scale autism therapy options in Ontario?

Low-cost and sliding scale autism therapy options in Ontario are extremely limited. Some options include: university training clinics that may offer reduced rates; some non-profit organizations with sliding scale (but waitlists exist); research studies providing free therapy in exchange for participation; and community agencies offering limited free services. However, these options have limited capacity and long waitlists. Most families cannot access comprehensive services at reduced rates. The fundamental issue is that evidence-based autism therapy is inherently expensive to deliver, requiring qualified professionals and intensive hours.

How can families afford private autism therapy in Ontario?

Families afford private autism therapy in Ontario through difficult trade-offs: using savings or retirement funds; taking on lines of credit or loans; borrowing from family members; reducing work hours to provide therapy themselves (foregoing income); choosing partial therapy (5-10 hours instead of 20-40) to stretch funding; selecting less expensive providers (may affect quality); or going without therapy entirely. Many families report significant financial stress, relationship strain, and reduced quality of life due to autism therapy costs. Some families ultimately leave Ontario for provinces with better funding.

What is the cost of private autism therapy in Ontario?

Private autism therapy in Ontario costs $60-$125 per hour for ABA therapy, $150-$200 per hour for speech-language pathology, and $120-$175 per hour for occupational therapy. Intensive ABA therapy at clinically recommended levels (20-40 hours per week) costs $50,000-$80,000 annually. Autism diagnostic assessments cost $2,000-$4,000 from private psychologists. Most Ontario families cannot afford these costs without taking on debt, reducing work hours, or forgoing treatment entirely. OAP funding typically covers only $8,000-$22,000 annually, leaving families to pay significant out-of-pocket costs.

Does insurance cover private autism therapy in Ontario?

Insurance coverage for private autism therapy in Ontario varies significantly. Some extended health plans cover speech therapy and occupational therapy but typically limit annual amounts ($500-$2,500). Most plans do not cover ABA therapy, which is the most expensive evidence-based autism treatment. Families should check their specific policy for: speech-language pathology coverage, occupational therapy coverage, psychological services coverage, and annual or lifetime maximums. Some families have successfully accessed coverage through employee benefits, health spending accounts, or special provisions for medical therapy, but coverage remains the exception rather than the rule.

Are there any low-cost or sliding scale autism therapy options in Ontario?

Low-cost and sliding scale autism therapy options in Ontario are extremely limited. Some options include: university training clinics that may offer reduced rates; some non-profit organizations with sliding scale (but waitlists exist); research studies providing free therapy in exchange for participation; and community agencies offering limited free services. However, these options have limited capacity and long waitlists. Most families cannot access comprehensive services at reduced rates. The fundamental issue is that evidence-based autism therapy is inherently expensive to deliver, requiring qualified professionals and intensive hours.

How can families afford private autism therapy in Ontario?

Families afford private autism therapy in Ontario through difficult trade-offs: using savings or retirement funds; taking on lines of credit or loans; borrowing from family members; reducing work hours to provide therapy themselves (foregoing income); choosing partial therapy (5-10 hours instead of 20-40) to stretch funding; selecting less expensive providers (may affect quality); or going without therapy entirely. Many families report significant financial stress, relationship strain, and reduced quality of life due to autism therapy costs. Some families ultimately leave Ontario for provinces with better funding.

Updated: December 2025

Cost of Private Autism Therapy in Ontario

Direct Answer

Private ABA therapy: $60-$125/hour. Speech therapy: $150-$200/hour. OT: $120-$175/hour.

Intensive ABA (20-40 hrs/week): $50,000-$80,000/year. OAP funding typically covers only $8,000-$22,000, leaving families to pay the gap.

Service	Hourly Rate	Annual Cost
ABA Therapy (20-40 hrs/week)	$60 - $125	$50,000 - $80,000
Speech Therapy	$150 - $200	$15,000 - $40,000
Occupational Therapy	$120 - $175	$12,000 - $35,000
Comprehensive Care		$79,000 - $159,000

Cost of Private Autism Therapy in Ontario

Direct Answer

Private ABA therapy: $60-$125/hour. Speech therapy: $150-$200/hour. OT: $120-$175/hour.

Intensive ABA (20-40 hrs/week): $50,000-$80,000/year. OAP funding typically covers only $8,000-$22,000, leaving families to pay the gap.

Service	Hourly Rate	Annual Cost
ABA Therapy (20-40 hrs/week)	$60 - $125	$50,000 - $80,000
Speech Therapy	$150 - $200	$15,000 - $40,000
Occupational Therapy	$120 - $175	$12,000 - $35,000
Comprehensive Care		$79,000 - $159,000

Cost of Private Autism Therapy in Ontario

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How much autism funding does Ontario provide?

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