About ABA Therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a well-researched, practical approach to understanding how behavior works and how learning takes place. It uses proven teaching strategies to build meaningful skills: communication, daily living, social interaction, and emotional regulation, while also reducing behaviors that get in the way of learning or everyday life. ABA is individualized: every program is designed around a specific person's goals, strengths, and needs.
ABA principles can be applied to anyone who wants to build new skills or work on behavior change. However, in Ontario it is most commonly delivered as a funded service for individuals with an autism diagnosis through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). Continuum ABA's services are focused on children, youth, and adults with autism, though we're happy to discuss your specific situation during an initial consultation.
ABA is grounded in decades of research and focuses specifically on measurable behavior change. Unlike some other therapy models, ABA programs are data-driven, meaning the individual's progress is tracked at every session and programs are adjusted based on what the data shows. It also places a strong emphasis on involving caregivers so that skills learned in sessions carry over into everyday life at home, school, and in the community.
Sessions vary depending on the goals and the individual, but they're always structured to be engaging, never rote or robotic. You might see play-based learning, naturalistic teaching embedded in daily routines, structured skill practice, or social group activities. Sessions typically range from 1 to 3 hours. Your behavior analyst will walk you through exactly what to expect before you begin.
Funding & the OAP
The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) is the provincial government program that provides funding and support to families of children and youth with autism. It offers two main streams: Core Clinical Services (direct ABA services) and a Childhood Budget (flexible funding families can use for a range of supports, including ABA therapy from a registered provider like Continuum ABA). Visit ontario.ca/oap for registration details.
Yes. Continuum ABA is a registered OAP provider. If the individual you're supporting has received a Childhood Budget through the OAP, you can use those funds for our services. We can help walk you through what the process looks like. If you're not yet registered with the OAP, we can point you toward the resources you need to get started. Visit our Resources page for guidance.
We do offer private-pay services for families not yet accessing OAP funding. Rates vary depending on the type and frequency of service. We believe cost should never be the reason a family can't explore options. Please reach out and we'll have an honest conversation about what's possible. Some insurance plans also cover ABA services; it's worth checking your benefits.
Yes. Waitlist times can be long and we don't want that to mean months or years without support. We can begin services on a private-pay basis while you wait for your Childhood Budget to be confirmed. Once your funding is in place, it can be applied going forward. Get in touch and we'll help you understand your options.
Our Services
We offer sessions in the home, in the community, and via telehealth (remote services). Location is chosen based on what makes the most sense for the individual's goals and family circumstances. For example, someone working on community skills might benefit from sessions at a local park or store, while someone working on home routines would be best served in the home environment. Families without easy access to transportation may also find our remote services a great fit.
We work with children, youth, and young adults across a range of ages. Our social groups are typically organized by age and skill level to ensure a good fit. During your intake consultation, we'll discuss whether our current programming is a good match for the individual's age and stage.
Social groups are small, structured groups (typically 4 to 6 participants) where children and youth practice real-life social skills with peers: things like conversation skills, turn-taking, reading social cues, friendship-making, and conflict resolution. Groups are facilitated by a behavior analyst and are designed to feel natural and fun, not like a classroom drill. They're ideal for individuals who have foundational language skills and want to build peer relationships.
Caregiver coaching is where we work directly with you (parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, or other key people in the individual's life) to teach ABA strategies you can use every day. Research consistently shows that when caregivers are equipped with effective tools, outcomes improve significantly. Sessions focus on practical, real-world strategies that fit into your family's routine.
Yes. We offer remote services via video call, which is especially useful for families in rural areas of Lanark County or Eastern Ontario, or for caregiver coaching where the focus is on parent training rather than direct individual sessions. Remote services can be equally effective for the right goals and the right family.
Getting Started
The process has a few simple steps: (1) You submit our intake form with some basic information about who you're seeking services for and what you're hoping to work on. (2) We review it and reach out to schedule a free initial consultation call. (3) During that call we discuss their needs, answer your questions, and determine if we're a good fit. (4) If we move forward, we conduct a formal assessment to build an individualized program. You can start your intake here.
You don't need a diagnosis to reach out, but note that OAP funding does require a formal autism diagnosis from a registered health professional. If the individual is in the process of being assessed or is awaiting a diagnosis, we're still happy to have a conversation about what support might look like in the meantime.
Timelines depend on our current availability and how quickly the intake and assessment process moves. We aim to be transparent about wait times from the very first conversation. We recommend reaching out as soon as you're interested. Getting on our radar early means we can keep you informed as space opens up.
Don't worry about preparing anything formal — it's a conversation, not an interview. It helps to have a rough sense of the individual's diagnosis history, any previous assessments or reports, what areas of daily life you find most challenging, and what you most hope ABA therapy could help with. Most importantly, come with your questions. We want to make sure you feel informed and comfortable.
Still have questions?
We're happy to answer anything not covered here. Reach out directly or start the intake form. There's no commitment involved.