OAP-APPROVED THERAPY

OAP core clinical services and supports include:

Evidence-based behavioural services (ABA Therapy) - Accepting
Mental health services (counselling and psychotherapy) for both parents and children - Accepting
Speech language therapy
Occupational therapy - Accepting (Virtual Only)
Technology, program materials and/or therapy equipment at the recommendation of a regulated professional or Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)

"It is important to note that some of the eligible expenses for OAP core clinical services and supports are different than previous funding criteria for evidence-based behaviour plans, Childhood Budgets and Interim One-Time Funding."

Eligible expenses

Hours spent with a child/youth, family member and/or relevant professionals
Supports related to service delivery such as documentation and report writing, treatment session preparation, interpretation and translation services and staff orientation and training to support service delivery.
Travel expenses, including transportation costs for families to travel to a service provider

Technology purchase:

Technology is required based on the child’s assessed needs and is included as part of the child/youth’s treatment plan.
Technology is recommended by an OAP core service provider, who is a regulated professional or Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) knowledgeable in the use and application of the technology as it relates specifically to the child’s needs assessed by that provider.
Programming and any required training for the use of the technology across different settings and contexts can be directly supported or supervised by the recommending professional.
The most economical option is considered when purchasing technology to support a child/youth’s goals.
Invoices for technology must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from a regulated professional or Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) delivering or overseeing services to the child.)

Program materials and/or therapy equipment

Materials and/or equipment are required based on the child’s assessed needs, are recommended by a regulated professional or Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) and are included as part of the child’s treatment plan.
The implementation and any required training for the use of program materials and/or therapy equipment is supported by the recommending professional.
The most economical option is considered when purchasing program materials and/or therapy equipment to support a child/youth’s goals.
Invoices for program materials and/or other supporting equipment must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from a regulated professional or Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) delivering or overseeing services to the child.

Ineligible expenses (not eligible)

Fees for other therapies or specialized services not identified as an eligible core clinical services and supports expense (for example, physiotherapy, psychiatry, nursing, dieticians, personal training, massage therapy, neurology)
Housing and home maintenance costs (for example, rent, furniture, home renovations or modifications, housekeeping, swimming pools, pool lifts, washlets or bidets, hot tubs and playground equipment)
Household items and electronics (for example, furniture, musical instruments, appliances and televisions)
Respite services and supports (for example, cleaning, meal preparation, snow removal and care of other family members) to provide temporary relief to families during the day, evening or weekend within or outside the family home.
Holiday travel (for example, personal or family vacations)
Telephone/telecommunications (for example, home phone service, internet service and mobile phone services)
Groceries, food and restaurant meals
Clothing and personal goods and services (for example, toiletries, spa treatments, aesthetic and cosmetic services)
Dental care and services
Vitamins, medical supplies, orthotics, supplements, incontinence supplies, and special diets
Services already received through the Ontario Disability Support Program (for example, drug benefits and medical aids)
Private school tuition fees, tutoring, tuition fees for college or university programs (Ineligible)
Day care fees
Vehicle purchases, leases and rentals
Website advertising costs associated with finding qualified professionals
Investments, including contributions to Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), and Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
Fees associated with registering or purchasing a certified service or guide dog, including any costs associated with the care of the service or guide dog
Any core clinical service and/or support supervised and/or delivered by a primary caregiver regardless of professional qualifications or residence, or a child under the age of 18 years
Cancellation fees for autism services and supports due to missed or cancelled sessions
Diagnostic assessments, psychoeducational assessments
Travel costs not associated with directly accessing eligible core clinical services, travel to purchase supports, such as technology, program materials and/or therapy equipment
Service fees for providers or third-party organizations to manage the budgeting and payments of OAP funding allocation

Before you make a purchase
Before purchasing technology, program materials or equipment to support a child or youth’s goals, it is recommended that families:

Consult all relevant professionals involved with their child to help choose the right technology, program materials or supporting equipment.
Work with a qualified professional(s) to develop a plan to support the implementation, ongoing monitoring and evaluation of their child’s progress.
Determine if the technology, program materials or equipment can be accessed through other available funding programs or on loan.
Carefully review the list of eligible and ineligible expenses for OAP core clinical services and supports.

Reminder: The ministry may update the list of eligible expenses for OAP core clinical services and supports from time to time. You are encouraged to check the list to make sure services and supports are on it before you use your funding.

If you have questions about eligible purchases or using your OAP funding allocation, you can contact a care coordinator. If you have other questions, please use the latest contacts for the OAP.

2024–2025 Ontario Services for Children with Special Needs: Key Highlights

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) in Ontario has outlined its objectives for the 2024–2025 period, focusing on enhancing support for children with special needs.

Core Services Include:

Early Identification and Intervention: Implementing strategies to identify developmental challenges early and provide timely interventions.
Specialized Assessments and Therapies: Offering assessments and therapies tailored to individual needs, including speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and behavioral services.
Family Support Programs: Providing resources and support to families to navigate services and care plans effectively.
Transition Planning: Assisting youth in transitioning from child to adult services, ensuring continuity of care.

Community Enhancements:

Investments are being made to expand local service capacities, aiming to reduce wait times and improve accessibility to specialized services across various communities in Ontario.Ontario

Accountability and Continuous Improvement:

The MCCSS emphasizes the importance of monitoring and evaluating service delivery to ensure effectiveness and adapt to the evolving needs of children and families.

For a detailed overview and to access specific program information, please visit the official document:

2024–2025 MCCSS Service Objectives for Children with Special Needs

Submit an Inquiry

OAP-APPROVED THERAPY

OAP core clinical services and supports include:

Evidence-based behavioural services (ABA Therapy) - Accepting

Mental health services (counselling and psychotherapy) for both parents and children - Accepting

Speech language therapy

Occupational therapy - Accepting (Virtual Only)

Technology, program materials and/or therapy equipment at the recommendation of a regulated professional or Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)

"It is important to note that some of the eligible expenses for OAP core clinical services and supports are different than previous funding criteria for evidence-based behaviour plans, Childhood Budgets and Interim One-Time Funding." Eligible expenses

Hours spent with a child/youth, family member and/or relevant professionals

Supports related to service delivery such as documentation and report writing, treatment session preparation, interpretation and translation services and staff orientation and training to support service delivery.

Travel expenses, including transportation costs for families to travel to a service provider

Technology purchase:

Technology is required based on the child’s assessed needs and is included as part of the child/youth’s treatment plan.

Technology is recommended by an OAP core service provider, who is a regulated professional or Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) knowledgeable in the use and application of the technology as it relates specifically to the child’s needs assessed by that provider.

Programming and any required training for the use of the technology across different settings and contexts can be directly supported or supervised by the recommending professional.

The most economical option is considered when purchasing technology to support a child/youth’s goals.

Invoices for technology must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from a regulated professional or Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) delivering or overseeing services to the child.)

Program materials and/or therapy equipment

Materials and/or equipment are required based on the child’s assessed needs, are recommended by a regulated professional or Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) and are included as part of the child’s treatment plan.

The implementation and any required training for the use of program materials and/or therapy equipment is supported by the recommending professional.

The most economical option is considered when purchasing program materials and/or therapy equipment to support a child/youth’s goals.

Invoices for program materials and/or other supporting equipment must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from a regulated professional or Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) delivering or overseeing services to the child.

Ineligible expenses (not eligible)

Fees for other therapies or specialized services not identified as an eligible core clinical services and supports expense (for example, physiotherapy, psychiatry, nursing, dieticians, personal training, massage therapy, neurology)

Housing and home maintenance costs (for example, rent, furniture, home renovations or modifications, housekeeping, swimming pools, pool lifts, washlets or bidets, hot tubs and playground equipment)

Household items and electronics (for example, furniture, musical instruments, appliances and televisions)

Respite services and supports (for example, cleaning, meal preparation, snow removal and care of other family members) to provide temporary relief to families during the day, evening or weekend within or outside the family home.

Holiday travel (for example, personal or family vacations)

Telephone/telecommunications (for example, home phone service, internet service and mobile phone services)

Groceries, food and restaurant meals

Clothing and personal goods and services (for example, toiletries, spa treatments, aesthetic and cosmetic services)

Dental care and services

Vitamins, medical supplies, orthotics, supplements, incontinence supplies, and special diets

Services already received through the Ontario Disability Support Program (for example, drug benefits and medical aids)

Private school tuition fees, tutoring, tuition fees for college or university programs (Ineligible)

Day care fees

Vehicle purchases, leases and rentals

Website advertising costs associated with finding qualified professionals

Investments, including contributions to Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), and Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Fees associated with registering or purchasing a certified service or guide dog, including any costs associated with the care of the service or guide dog

Any core clinical service and/or support supervised and/or delivered by a primary caregiver regardless of professional qualifications or residence, or a child under the age of 18 years

Cancellation fees for autism services and supports due to missed or cancelled sessions

Diagnostic assessments, psychoeducational assessments

Travel costs not associated with directly accessing eligible core clinical services, travel to purchase supports, such as technology, program materials and/or therapy equipment

Service fees for providers or third-party organizations to manage the budgeting and payments of OAP funding allocation

Before you make a purchase Before purchasing technology, program materials or equipment to support a child or youth’s goals, it is recommended that families:

Consult all relevant professionals involved with their child to help choose the right technology, program materials or supporting equipment.

Work with a qualified professional(s) to develop a plan to support the implementation, ongoing monitoring and evaluation of their child’s progress.

Determine if the technology, program materials or equipment can be accessed through other available funding programs or on loan.

Carefully review the list of eligible and ineligible expenses for OAP core clinical services and supports.

​

2024–2025 Ontario Services for Children with Special Needs: Key Highlights

​

"It is important to note that some of the eligible expenses for OAP core clinical services and supports are different than previous funding criteria for evidence-based behaviour plans, Childhood Budgets and Interim One-Time Funding."

Eligible expenses

Before you make a purchase
Before purchasing technology, program materials or equipment to support a child or youth’s goals, it is recommended that families: