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OAP-APPROVED THERAPY

Ontario Autism Funding (OAP) for Core Clinical Services and Supports

OAP core clinical services and supports include:

  • Evidence-based behavioural services (ABA Therapy) - No waitlist as of January 2024

  • Mental health services (counselling and psychotherapy) for both parents and children - No waitlist

  • Speech language therapy

  • Occupational therapy

  • 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.

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