Funding Opportunities

Ontario Autism Program (OAP) CORE Clinical Services: The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) provides eligible families with funding that can be used to purchase a variety of evidence-based services and supports for their child. Funding received from Core Clinical Services helps families access individualized clinical services such as Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and other eligible supports.

Families who receive Core Clinical Services Funding have the flexibility to choose the service providers that best meet their child's needs. Funding can be used for assessment, treatment planning, direct intervention, caregiver coaching, and other clinically relevant services that support your child's goals.

Private Insurance: If your family is waiting for OAP funding, or if your child needs more therapy hours than OAP covers, private insurance may be able to help with the cost of ABA therapy.

Many workplace benefit plans through companies like Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife, Blue Cross, and GreenShield may provide coverage under services such as psychology, psychotherapy, social work, or mental health support (including ABA provided by a Registered Behaviour Analyst).

Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC): For many families in Ontario, accessing ABA therapy is an important part of supporting their child’s development. What many parents don’t realize is that these services may also be eligible for tax relief through the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC).

If you are paying for ABA therapy out of pocket, recent updates in Ontario may help reduce your overall costs when filing your taxes.

The Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) is a federal tax credit that helps Canadians reduce the amount of income tax they owe when they have eligible medical expenses.

Instead of giving you money back directly, it lowers your taxable income, which can reduce the total tax you pay. Ontario also provides a provincial medical expense credit, which works in a similar way when you file your provincial tax return.

As of 2025, Ontario officially began regulating Behaviour Analysts under the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021. This means that Registered Behaviour Analysts are now recognized as regulated professionals under the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO).

Because of this change, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) updated its list of recognized medical practitioners in Ontario.

For families, this is an important update: ABA services provided by Registered Behaviour Analysts in Ontario can now be claimed as eligible medical expenses under the METC when requirements are met.

This change helps recognize the professional training of Behaviour Analysts and gives families more clarity and financial support when accessing private services.

What ABA Expenses Can Be Claimed?

• ABA therapy sessions provided by a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA) or Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)

• Related assessments that support treatment planning, such as psychological or speech-language assessments

For more information, you can visit the CRA website.

What You Should Keep on File

Even though you don’t need to submit receipts with your tax return, the CRA may request them later.

It’s a good idea to keep:

• Detailed receipts showing:

  • Provider name

  • Registration number

  • Date of service

  • Description of service (e.g., “ABA therapy”)

• A referral or prescription from a doctor, psychologist, or nurse practitioner (if applicable)

• Your child’s Disability Tax Credit (DTC) approval, if they qualify

If your receipts don’t include professional credentials, ask your provider to update their billing format to include this information.