Education Series

PPM 140: ABA in Ontario Schools

Since 2007, every Ontario school board is required to provide Applied Behaviour Analysis as an instructional approach for autistic students. Most parents do not know this policy exists.

The evidence for intervention

PPM 140 requires ABA methods in every Ontario school, most families never know they can demand compliance.

Registered

91,974

Children registered

Total registered in the Ontario Autism Program

MCCSS Ontario Autism Program figures, May 13, 2026, obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition under Freedom of Information

Funded

20,711

Have active funding

Only 22.5% of registered children

MCCSS Ontario Autism Program figures, May 13, 2026, obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition under Freedom of Information

Without active agreement

71,263

Without an active funding agreement

An administrative status; it does not confirm current service delivery.

MCCSS Ontario Autism Program figures, May 13, 2026, obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition under Freedom of Information

Verified , MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026

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Ontario Autism Program key statistics (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026, verified 2026-08-10)
MetricValue
Children registered91,974
Have active funding20,711
Without an active funding agreement71,263

PPM 140 at a Glance

  • PPM 140 (2007) requires ALL Ontario school boards to use ABA methods for autistic students
  • ABA strategies must be written into the IEP, not as vague references, but as named techniques
Show all 5 facts
  • Schools must collaborate with external ABA providers during the transition to school
  • If your school says "we don't do ABA," this may conflict with provincial policy (PPM 140)
  • Escalation path: principal → superintendent → SEAC → Ministry of Education → HRTO
Verified: 2026-08-10
Scope: Ontario, Canada

What PPM 140 Actually Requires

Policy/Program Memorandum 140, issued by the Minister of Education in 2007, is a directive to all Ontario school boards. It is not a suggestion. Here is what it mandates:

ABA as Instructional Approach

School boards must offer ABA methods as an instructional approach for students with ASD. This means embedding ABA strategies into classroom instruction, not just in a separate therapy room.

Staff Training

Boards must ensure that school staff are trained in ABA. This includes classroom teachers, EAs, and special education resource teachers (SERTs) who work with autistic students.

Transition Planning

Schools must work with families and external ABA providers to plan the transition from private or OAP-funded ABA therapy into the school setting. ABA strategies should carry over, not stop at the school door.

IEP Integration

ABA-based strategies must be incorporated into the student's Individual Education Plan. The IEP should name specific techniques, not just say "behaviour support."

ABA in Schools vs. ABA in Clinics

School-based ABA looks different from clinic-based ABA. Understanding the difference helps you advocate for the right level of support.

School-Based ABA

  • Naturalistic strategies embedded in the school day
  • Visual schedules and token economies
  • Discrete trial teaching during small group time
  • Behaviour support plans for challenging moments
  • Social skills groups and structured transitions
  • Typically less intensive than clinic ABA

Clinic-Based ABA

  • commonly 20 to 40 hours weekly of structured therapy (hours individualized with a clinician)
  • 1:1 therapist-to-child ratio
  • Intensive discrete trial training
  • Controlled environment with fewer distractions
  • Data collection on every trial
  • Supervised by a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)

The Gap Parents Must Know

Many children transition from intensive 1:1 ABA therapy (20+ hours/week) to school where they receive zero ABA support. PPM 140 was designed to prevent this cliff, but enforcement is weak and many boards claim they lack trained staff. This is not your problem. It is the board's obligation.

How to Request PPM 140 ABA Support

Follow these steps to ensure your child receives ABA-based support as required by provincial policy.

1

Know What PPM 140 Requires

Read the policy. PPM 140 requires ABA as an instructional approach for all students with ASD. It is not a request, it is provincial policy from 2007. When you cite it by name, schools take notice.

2

Document Current ABA Supports

Gather records of any ABA therapy your child receives privately or through OAP. Document specific strategies, behaviour plans, and goals that should carry into the classroom.

3

Write to the School (Reference PPM 140)

Send a written request to the principal and special education coordinator specifically requesting ABA-based instructional strategies under PPM 140. Reference the policy by name and number.

4

Involve Your ABA Provider

Ask your child's ABA therapist or BCBA to provide a transition plan or attend the school meeting. PPM 140 expects schools to collaborate with external providers.

5

Get ABA Strategies Written Into the IEP

Ensure specific ABA strategies appear in the IEP: visual schedules, discrete trial teaching, naturalistic strategies, token economies, behaviour support plans. Reject vague language like "behaviour support."

6

Escalate If Denied

If the school refuses, request the refusal in writing. Escalate: superintendent → school board trustee → SEAC → Ministry of Education. Consider contacting ARCH Disability Law Centre or filing a human rights complaint.

Template: PPM 140 Compliance Request Letter

Dear [Principal Name] and [Special Education Coordinator],

I am writing to request a meeting regarding Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) support for my child, [Child Name], under Policy/Program Memorandum 140 (2007).

PPM 140 requires all Ontario school boards to offer ABA as an instructional approach for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Specifically, I am requesting:

  1. ABA-based instructional strategies be incorporated into [Child Name]'s IEP
  2. A transition meeting with [Child Name]'s external ABA provider, [Provider Name]
  3. Information about ABA training provided to [Child Name]'s classroom teacher and EA
  4. A timeline for implementing ABA strategies in the classroom

[Child Name] currently receives [X hours/week] of ABA therapy through [private provider / OAP]. The strategies used include [list specific strategies]. Continuity of these evidence-based approaches in the school setting is essential.

I would appreciate a response within 10 business days to schedule this meeting.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

The Compliance Reality

Ontario tracks board compliance with PPM 140 through annual surveys published on the Ontario Open Data portal. The reality is that compliance varies dramatically across the province's 72 school boards.

Common Responses When Parents Request ABA

"We don't have ABA-trained staff."

PPM 140 requires boards to train staff. This is the board's problem to solve, not a reason to deny your child support.

"ABA is a therapy, not an educational approach."

PPM 140 explicitly identifies ABA as an instructional approach for schools. This argument contradicts the policy.

"We use other evidence-based methods."

PPM 140 specifically names ABA. Other methods may complement ABA, but they do not replace the board's obligation under this policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Where the waitlist stands

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See where the waitlist standsEmail Your MPP

Verified References & Sources

Updated:

Official Government Sources

  • [1996]
    Adler v. Ontario, [1996] 3 S.C.R. 609Government Record
    Supreme Court of Canada • Government • 1996-11-21
    View
  • [2019]
    Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, 2019 (Bill 124)Government Record
    Legislative Assembly of Ontario • Government • 2019-11-07
    View
  • [2021]
    Bradford Bypass: Environmental Assessment Exemption Regulation (O. Reg. 220/21)Government Record
    Government of Ontario • Government • 2021-04-09
    View
  • [2025]
    Canada Disability Benefit - How much you could receiveGovernment Record
    Government of Canada • Government • 2025-06-20
    View
  • [2025]
    Canada Disability BenefitGovernment Record
    Government of Canada • Government • 2025-06-20
    View

Related Resources

Citable source facts(3)Question-and-answer pairs with their source and verification link.

What does PPM 140 require Ontario schools to do for autistic students?

Verified

Policy/Program Memorandum 140 (2007) requires all Ontario school boards to offer Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) as an instructional approach for students with ASD. [Ministry of Education] This is provincial policy, not a request - boards must ensure school staff are trained in ABA methods and that ABA-based strategies are incorporated into the IEP for every identified autistic student.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Education - PPM 140 · Open source record

Do Ontario school boards comply with PPM 140?

Verified

Ontario tracks board compliance with PPM 140 through annual surveys. [data.ontario.ca] Despite being mandatory since 2007, compliance varies dramatically by board - some report full ABA integration while others offer minimal or no ABA-trained staff in classrooms, leaving autistic students without evidence-based support.

Source: Ontario Open Data - PPM 140 Board Compliance · Open source record

What are common school accommodations for autism?

Verified

Typical accommodations include extra time, quiet work spaces, visual schedules, break access, and reduced homework. [OHRC] Despite these proven supports, 47% of families report insufficient school accommodations-suggesting systemic failure to implement legally required adaptations for autistic students. [OAC]

Source: Ontario Human Rights Commission [OHRC] & OAC · Open source record

Evidence on this page

The source chain stays visible.

Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.

Facts4
Sources4

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

Government / peer-reviewedDawson G, Rogers S, Munson J, et al. (2010)Verified 2010-01-01

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)

Government / peer-reviewedReichow B, Hume K, Barton EE, Boyd BA (2018)Verified 2018-05-09

WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism. Timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement

Government / peer-reviewedWorld Health Organization (2025)Verified 2025-09-17

Under the Ontario Education Act, every student with special needs is entitled to an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and access to an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)

Government / peer-reviewedGovernment of Ontario (2024)Verified 2024-01-01
Last system verification: 2026-08-10. Next scheduled update: 2026-11-05.
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Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system