By Yasamin Yousefi, Founder & CEO, SenseBloom Therapy. Last reviewed September 30, 2026
Short answer: Start with registration. In Ontario, ABA paid for with OAP funding must be delivered or supervised by a behaviour analyst, psychologist or psychological associate registered with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). Then ask how supervision, goal-setting, progress reviews and parent coaching work, and visit before you commit.
- You can look up a clinician’s registration yourself on the CPBAO register.
- Good answers are specific: names, frequencies, examples, and fees in writing.
- How staff treat your child and your questions during a visit tells you as much as any credential.
A clinic can look great online and still not be right for your child. The questions below are the ones that separate a clear, well-run program from a vague one. They apply to any clinic you’re considering, including ours.
Check registration first
Since July 1, 2024, only practitioners registered with CPBAO can call themselves a “Behaviour Analyst” in Ontario. Many also hold the BCBA certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, but that is a separate credential. The provincial registration is what Ontario’s OAP guidelines look for when ABA is funded through the program.
Ask for the name of the person who will design and oversee your child’s program, then check their registration on the CPBAO website. A clinic that hesitates to give you a name is telling you something.
The questions
1. Who designs and supervises my child’s program? Ask for a name and registration details, and whether that person is the one you’ll actually speak to.
2. How often does the supervisor watch sessions, and how many families do they carry? Much of the day-to-day therapy is often delivered by a technician. What matters is how closely a registered clinician oversees that work, so ask for numbers, not reassurance.
3. How are goals chosen? Goals should come out of an assessment and a conversation with you. Ontario’s program frames goals across ten areas: communication, social interaction, play and leisure, daily living, motor skills, cognitive skills, sensory needs, interfering behaviours, mental health, and adaptability. A good clinic can explain which matter most for your child and why, and lets you set priorities.
4. How will I see progress? Ask what data is collected, how often it is reviewed with you, and whether you get written reports. “We’ll keep you updated” isn’t an answer.
5. What is my role? Ontario’s guidelines emphasize building caregivers’ skills, not just treating the child. Ask whether coaching is built in and whether you can watch sessions. Our post on what parents do during ABA therapy describes what that can look like day to day.
6. How do you teach, and what happens when my child is distressed? Listen for play, positive reinforcement, and attention to your child’s comfort. Ask how the team practises skills in everyday situations, for example through natural environment teaching.
7. Can I see the space and watch a session? Seeing the rooms and how staff speak to children is worth an hour of your time.
8. Who else will you coordinate with? If your child sees a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist or a school team, ask how goals are aligned. Ontario’s guidelines encourage providers to collaborate and avoid duplicating each other’s work.
9. What does it cost, and what happens if we cancel? Ontario’s guidelines say fees should be agreed by family and provider before services start. Ask for a written fee schedule that states what the rate includes. Ask about cancellations specifically: those fees aren’t eligible under OAP, so they would come out of your own pocket.
10. How will we know when goals are met, and what comes next? A strong clinic talks about reviewing goals, building independence, and planning for transitions such as starting school. Be wary of anything that sounds like open-ended therapy with no review points.
Red flags
- No clear answer about who is registered or who oversees the program
- Pressure to sign or commit to hours before an assessment
- Promises of a specific result
- Reluctance to show you data, rooms or written policies
- Discouraging you from observing or taking part
- Vague fees, or no itemized receipts
Bring these to a first consultation
Bring your child’s diagnosis report, your OAP registration details if you have them, any recent speech, OT or school reports, and your top three goals in your own words. It gives the clinician something concrete to respond to, and it shows you how well they listen.
About SenseBloom
Our clinic-based ABA therapy programs are offered through our clinics in North York and Ajax, and you can read more on our ABA therapy in North York page. We also provide behaviour intervention services. You’re welcome to bring this list to a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Is a BCBA the same as a registered behaviour analyst? No. BCBA is a certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. “Registered Behaviour Analyst” refers to registration with CPBAO, which is the requirement Ontario looks for under OAP. Many clinicians hold both.
Does therapy have to happen at a clinic? Not necessarily. Ontario’s guidelines describe services delivered virtually, at home or in the community as well. What matters is that the setting suits your child’s goals, and a good clinic can explain why they recommend one.
What happens if we cancel a session? That depends on the clinic’s policy, and OAP doesn’t cover cancellation fees. Ask before you start.
How many clinics should I visit? Two or three is usually enough. Ask each the same questions and compare the answers side by side.
Sources
- CPBAO, ABA regulation FAQs: https://cpbao.ca/resources/faqs/
- Ontario.ca, guidelines for core clinical services and supports: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-autism-program-guidelines-core-clinical-services-and-supports
General information only, not medical or legal advice. Verify credentials and fees directly with any provider.
