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Helpful Resources for Children, Adults, and Families
1 / Children & Youth
Ontario Autism Program and AccessOAP
Learn about the Ontario Autism Program, register with AccessOAP, and find information about available services and funding.
Preparing for a Determination of Needs (DON) Meeting
A Determination of Needs- or DON- meeting is a conversation with an AccessOAP care coordinator about your child's strengths, goals and support needs.
Before the meeting, it may help to write down:
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What your child does independently
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Where and when support is needed
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Strategies or accommodations that already help
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Two or three priorities for everyday life
You do not need to use clinical language. Everday example from home, school and the community are helpful.
2 / Adults and Passport Funding
Developmental Services Ontario
Developmental Services Ontario is the access point for provincially funded adult developmental services. Applications and eligibility for adult services, including Passport referrals, begin through DSO.
Passport Funding
Passport is a reimbursement program for eligible adults with developmental disabilities. It may support community participation, daily living skills, support workers, person-directed planning, and caregiver respite. Ontario's Passport guidelines explain the eligible categories.
*GBC does not determine Passport eligibility or approve expenses. Families are encouraged to confirm that a service is eligible with their Passport agency before purchasing it.
3 / ABA in Ontario
Learn about ABA, understand the role of a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA), or verify that an Ontario provider is registered.
4 / Service Coordination
Service Coordination Support—or SCS—is a helpful starting point for people with developmental disabilities or autism and their families in Ottawa and the Eastern Region. Service coordinators can help families identify community programs, respite options, funding opportunities, and other available supports.
SCS does not approve or guarantee funding, but can help families understand their options and connect with the appropriate services.
5 / Ottawa & Community Supports
6 / Additional Funding & Grants
Families may be eligible for financial assistance for respite, recreation, camps, skill development, support workers, or other disability-related expenses. Eligibility, deadlines, and covered expenses vary between programs.
Possible places to explore include:
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Special Services at Home- Funding for eligible families caries for a child with a developmental or physical disability
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Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities- Financial assistance for eligible low- to -moderate income families
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Canadian Tire Jumpstart Individual Child Grants- assistance for eligible children participating in sport or physical activity. This funding is for recreation, not therapy.
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Autism Ontario Children and Youth Programs- information about seasonal reimbursement funds, programs and family supports.
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Autism Ontario Adult Awards and Funding- funding opportunities for autistic adults, including the Building Brighter Futures Fund.
*Funding program may open or close throughout the year. Families should confirm current eligibility, deadlines and approved expenses directly with each organization.
7 / Private Insurance Coverage
ABA services are not yet included in every extended health insurance plan. Families are encouraged to contact their insurance provider to ask whether their plan covers ABA services provided or supervised by a Registered Behaviour Analyst registered with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario.
All GBC ABA services are provided or clinically supervised by RBAs registered with the CPBAO.
Before beginning services, families may wish to ask:
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Whether ABA or Behaviour Analyst services are covered
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Whether a physician’s referral is required
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Whether supervised services are eligible
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Whether there is an annual maximum
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What information must appear on the invoice
Insurance coverage is determined by each individual benefit plan. GBC cannot guarantee that services will be reimbursed.
8 / Medical Expense Tax Credit
Effective July 1, 2024, the Canada Revenue Agency recognizes Behaviour Analysts authorized to practise in Ontario as medical practitioners for the purposes of the Medical Expense Tax Credit.
This means that eligible out-of-pocket expenses paid for qualifying services provided by an Ontario Behaviour Analyst may be claimable as medical expenses. Recognition does not automatically make every service or invoice eligible, and expenses reimbursed through insurance or another funding source generally cannot also be claimed.
Families should keep their receipts and confirm their individual eligibility with the CRA or a qualified tax professional.