Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
Most clinicians recommend pursuing both simultaneously if resources allow — ABA and SLP are complementary, not competing. If forced to choose one while funding is limited, consider: for children under 4 with limited speech, SLP targeting early communication is urgent; for children over 4 with emerging language, ABA that incorporates communication targets is highly effective. Use OAP interim funding for whichever is most pressing, and advocate for both through your OAP service plan.
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate
Evidence on this page
Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.
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
89,799
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
23%
Only 20,633 children have active funding agreements — less than one in four