Overview

You can use your childhood budget or your interim one-time funding to purchase the following services and supports:

We may change this list of eligible services from time to time. Please check this list to make sure services and supports are on it before you use your funding.

You must submit an expense report for the services and supports that you bought:

We may suspend or terminate funding if you do not comply with the terms and conditions of the funding agreement.

Updates to eligible and ineligible expenses during the pandemic

In 2020, we updated the list of eligible and ineligible services and supports that you can purchase using your childhood budget or interim one-time funding to make it more flexible during the pandemic. This flexibility is temporary to support children and youth on the autism spectrum and their families during the pandemic period.

All services and supports should be provided with proper health and safety protocols in place that are in accordance with current public health guidelines and advice.

We encourage you to consider your child’s or youth’s goals when making decisions about the services and supports you purchase with your funding. Where possible, it is strongly recommended but not required that you also consider:

  • consulting a professional to help choose the right technology, program materials or supporting equipment for your child
  • working with a qualified professional to develop a plan to support the implementation, ongoing monitoring and evaluation of your child’s progress
  • determining if the technology, materials or equipment can be loaned or accessed through other available funding programs
  • carefully reviewing the list of eligible and ineligible expenses

The services and supports you select are chosen at your own risk. You should carefully review the terms and conditions of your funding.

The ministry will not be held liable for harm that may result from the selection or use of services or supports purchased using childhood budgets or interim one-time funding.

Eligible services and supports

You can use your childhood budget or your interim one-time funding to purchase the following services and supports.

Evidence-based behavioural services

You can use childhood budgets or interim one-time funding to purchase:

  • a behavioural assessment of your child’s strengths and needs to help inform your child’s treatment plan, set goals and identify strategies to help your child
  • evidence-based behavioural services, including services based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis
  • a consultation with primary caregivers or other relevant professionals to help your child or youth transition to school and connect with adult services and supports

Evidence-based means that there is strong scientific research that proves the service is effective. It also means that a clinical team recommends the service as appropriate for your child based on the team’s expertise as well as your family’s interests, goals, preferences and needs.

Behavioural services are services that teach your child or youth skills (for example getting dressed or talking to other people) that will help them participate at home, at school and in the community. These services can also help to discourage behaviours that interfere with learning and wellbeing. Behavioural services also involve teaching you the skills you need to support your child’s development and address needs as they arise.

Applied Behaviour Analysis is an applied science, based on the principles of learning and behaviour, that is supported by scientific knowledge, standards and research.

Who you can purchase from

Behavioural clinicians who deliver evidence-based behavioural services must be supervised by a clinical supervisor who meets, or is working towards, the Ontario Autism Program’s qualification requirements.

Find experienced and trained clinical supervisors who meet all of the qualification requirements on the provider list.

You can continue to work with a clinical supervisor who is not on the provider list as long the clinical supervisor has, or is working towards, Ontario Autism Program’s qualifications requirements. To use your childhood budget or interim one-time funding to buy services from a clinical supervisor who is not on the provider list, the clinical supervisor must give you a signed copy of the attestation form before you receive services. You will need to attach a copy of the signed attestation form when you submit your expense report.

Additional autism services and supports

You can use childhood budgets or interim one-time funding to purchase:

  • curriculum-based interventions with standardized practice manuals based on the science of learning and principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (for example, Naturalistic Developmental Behavioual Interventions)
  • life skills and social skills training programs that can help to promote social interactions and communication with others, support independence and help your child follow social rules
  • employment supports for youth nearing the transition to adulthood, including training and support to build skills to access employment
  • parent and caregiver coaching and training to learn behaviour strategies to use with your child. For example, autism-specific training, online training on behavioural strategies and fees for a college diploma in autism or behavioural sciences
  • specialized autism school services that are not delivered by publicly-funded schools. These services must be autism specific, individualized and based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis
  • fees to access a certified service or guide dog from an accredited training facility, such as an organization that is a member of Assistance Dogs International or school that is a member of the International Guide Dog Federation. This includes the one-time application fee, equipment fees or training costs.

Who you can purchase from

The additional autism services and supports on this list do not require a clinical supervisor unless otherwise specified. All curriculum-based interventions should be supervised by certified experts and professionals related to those services.

It is your responsibility to confirm the training and skills of your chosen service provider.

Autism Ontario can help you find information about services and supports available in your community, including both autism-specific and broader special needs programs.

Other therapies and specialized services

You can use childhood budgets or interim one-time funding to purchase:

Who you can purchase from

These services must be delivered by a registered and licensed professional and can include assessments and consultations.

In 2021, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists were added to the Ontario Autism Program provider list. The provider list will continue to include clinical supervisors of behavioural services who meet the qualification requirements. This means you will be able to use the provider list to find professionals who have experience and training working with children and youth on the autism spectrum.

It will be voluntary for professionals to join provider list. You can continue working with speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists who choose not to join the list.

Respite services

Respite services provide temporary relief by giving primary caregivers a break. These services can also provide your child or youth with the chance to interact with other adults and children.

You can use childhood budgets or interim one-time funding for:

  • respite services to support caregivers during the day, evening or weekend, at home or elsewhere (for example supervision of the child or youth, help with daily living activities or taking your child out for an activity)
  • fees for community recreational activities and classes, cultural activities and programs and camp programs that help to promote independence and develop social, communication and life skills (for example sports, arts and music programs, museums, camps, drive-through activities, in-home fitness classes and admission to recreational activities such as zoos and provincial parks)

Who you can purchase from

You can purchase respite services from public and private organizations that serve children and youth with special needs, for example respite and municipal agencies, some Community Living organizations and Children’s Treatment Centres. You can also purchase respite from family member, neighbours and friends:

  • personal support workers
  • direct support workers
  • family members
  • neighbours
  • friends

Funding may be used to compensate certain family members for respite. However, a childhood budget or interim one-time funding cannot be used to compensate the primary caregiver, even if they live in a different location than the child. Please review the list of ineligible expenses for more information.

You are encouraged to ask anyone supporting or providing service to your child for proof of a recent and valid criminal record check and to complete the vulnerable sector screening process to see if the provider has a pardon for sexual or other offences.

Learn more about respite care and locate respite care providers in your area.

Family service planning and support

You can use childhood budgets or interim one-time funding for:

  • interpretation and translation for eligible services and supports for your child (for example, these services may support your family during case conferences and progress meetings, as well as for translating written materials
  • up to 10% of your amount on individualized family service planning and support (for example to help your family navigate, plan and coordinate services for your child and help you manage your childhood budget by assisting with things such as bookkeeping, bank fees, payroll and scheduling)
  • administrative employer costs, such as Canada Pension Plan contributions, Employment Insurance or Workplace Safety and Insurance Board premiums

Travel

You can use your childhood budget or interim one-time funding for transportation costs within Ontario. This includes travel to a service provider, paying a service provider to get to you, and travel costs to access autism-specific training for caregivers or service providers.

If you travel less than 100 kilometres (one-way), you may use up to 10% of your funding. Travel expenses may include bus or train fare, parking charges, or $0.40 for every kilometre you drive.

If you travel more than 100 kilometres (one-way), you may use up to 20% of your funding. Travel expenses may include air fare, bus or train fare, and parking charges. You will get $0.41 for every kilometre you drive. Please note, if you are unable to access service providers in your community, you may claim travel expenses for the most practical and cost-effective method of receiving services as close to home as possible.

Technology

You can use childhood budgets or interim one-time funding to purchase:

  • one of the following every two years to help your child reach their goals:
    • desktop computer
    • laptop computer
    • touch-screen tablet
    • smart phone
    • web conferencing camera
    • GPS tracking device
    • laminator
    • printer
    • keyboard
  • computer software or applications to support your child's goals

Before purchasing technology, you should:

  • consult a professional to help you choose the right technology for your child
  • work with qualified professionals to develop a plan to implement, monitor and evaluate your child’s progress
  • determine if the technology can be purchased through other funding programs or can be loaned to you
  • review the list of eligible and ineligible expenses

If you are still not sure whether an item is eligible, email oap@ontario.ca or call 1-888-444-4530.

You may also want to speak with other professionals involved with your child to get additional support when choosing technology for your child. These include:

  • Board Certified Behavior Analyst
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Psychological Associate
  • Physician
  • Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Psychiatrist

You can use childhood budgets or interim one-time funding to purchase:

  • program materials such as books, audio books, educational DVDs or CDs, visual timers and curriculum assessment kits, to help your child reach his or her goals
  • equipment that helps to support your child, such as protective equipment, Kevlar sleeves, and augmentative communication devices

Therapy and sensory items

You can purchase therapy and sensory equipment to support your child’s goals. For example, this may include white noise machines, seatbelt strap covers, beanbag chairs, chewelry, crash mats, sensory tables, cocoon swings and wiggle chairs.

Play-based learning materials and craft supplies

You can purchase materials and supplies that promote play-based or in-home learning. For example, this may include arts and craft supplies, Play-Doh, paint, markers, stickers, construction paper and educational toys such as building blocks, Lego or board games.

Sporting, recreational and playground equipment

You can purchase equipment that promotes activity and participation with your child. For example, this may include trampolines, treadmills, bicycles, scooters, bike helmets, baseball gloves and inflatable pools.

Ineligible services and supports

You cannot purchase the following services and supports with your childhood budget or interim one-time funding:

  • fees for other therapies or specialized services not identified as an eligible expense above, such as nursing, dieticians or massage therapy
  • housing and home maintenance costs such as rent, home renovations or modifications, housekeeping, in-ground swimming pools, pool lifts, hot tubs, and washlets or bidets
  • household items, electronic equipment, devices and products intended for everyday use and entertainment, such as furniture, musical instruments, turntables, appliances, televisions, subscription-based streaming services such as Netflix or Disney+, video game devices, and photography equipment such as instant cameras or drones
  • services and supports that are not directly related to your child’s care such as cleaning, meal preparation, snow removal or caring for other family members
  • personal or family vacations
  • telephone or telecommunications such as home phone service, internet service or mobile phone services
  • food, including groceries, food delivery services and restaurant meals
  • clothing and personal goods and services such as toiletries, spa treatments, aesthetic or cosmetic services
  • dental services
  • vitamins, medical supplies, orthotics, supplements, incontinence supplies or special diets
  • supports and services already received through the Ontario Disability Support Program such as drug benefits or medical aids
  • private school tuition and daycare fees associated with programs that are not autism-specific and are not delivered based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis
  • vehicle purchases, leases or rentals
  • website advertising costs associated with finding qualified professionals
  • investments, including contributions to Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) or Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
  • ongoing costs for the care of certified service or guide dogs, including food, treats, toys, veterinary care, grooming and fees for registering or purchasing a service dog from an organization that is not a recognized accredited training facility
  • any services or supports delivered by a child under age 18 or a primary caregiver, regardless of where they live. A primary caregiver can be the child’s parent, legal guardian, children’s aid society or any person providing kinship service or customary care
  • fees for cancelled or missed services

Contact us

If you have questions about which services and supports you can purchase with your childhood budget or interim one-time funding, you can contact our Central Resource Team: