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OAP Eligible Expenses: What Core Clinical Covers
Last verified: April 2026. Always confirm details on the official page.
What expenses are eligible under OAP Core Clinical
OAP Core Clinical funding covers therapy services (ABA, speech, OT, mental health), therapy materials recommended by your provider, and assistive devices not already covered by ADP. Services must be delivered by a provider on the OAP Provider List. You choose your own providers and submit invoices for reimbursement.
Eligible expense categories
- Therapy services: ABA, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, mental health
- Materials and supplies: therapy materials and sensory items recommended by your provider
- Devices: communication devices and assistive technology not covered by ADP
This page covers what you can and cannot spend Core Clinical funding on. For how much funding you get, how to register, and the full program overview, see the OAP Core Clinical guide.
What therapy services does OAP Core Clinical cover
Core Clinical covers four categories of therapy. Your provider must be on the OAP Provider List at oapproviderlist.ca (opens in new tab).
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
Delivered by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst () or supervised therapist. Covers assessment, treatment planning, direct therapy sessions, and parent training. This is often the largest portion of a family's Core Clinical spending.
Speech-language pathology
Delivered by a registered Speech-Language Pathologist (). Covers assessment, therapy for communication, language development, feeding and swallowing if related to autism, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) training.
Occupational therapy
Delivered by a registered Occupational Therapist (). Covers sensory processing, fine motor skills, self-care skills, school readiness, and environmental modifications recommendations.
Mental health services
Covers psychotherapy and counseling for your child related to autism. Must be delivered by a regulated health professional (psychologist, registered psychotherapist, or social worker).
Are therapy materials and sensory supplies covered
Yes, if your provider recommends them in writing as part of your child's treatment plan. Keep the written recommendation with your receipts.
Examples of eligible materials
- Visual schedule materials and token boards
- Sensory tools recommended by your OT (weighted items, fidgets, sensory bins)
- Communication books and picture exchange materials
- Social skills resources specified in the treatment plan
- Fine motor and self-care practice materials
Must be recommended in writing
General purchases without a provider's written recommendation are not eligible. The recommendation should name the specific item and explain how it supports therapy goals.
Are communication devices and assistive technology covered
Communication devices and assistive technology can be eligible under Core Clinical, but only if they are not already covered by the Assistive Devices Program (ADP). You must check ADP coverage first. If ADP covers the device, OAP will not reimburse it.
Examples
- Dedicated speech-generating devices (check ADP first, many are covered at 75%)
- AAC software and apps for communication
- Tablet used exclusively for AAC (if not ADP-funded)
What is not covered by OAP Core Clinical
Core Clinical has a clear list of ineligible expenses. Spending on these will not be reimbursed.
Not eligible
- Daycare or childcare fees
- School tuition (public or private)
- Respite care (that goes through SSAH, not OAP)
- Guide dogs or service animals
- Home renovations or vehicle modifications
- Devices already covered by ADP
- Travel or transportation costs
- Groceries, clothing, or household items
- Supplements, vitamins, or alternative therapies not from a regulated provider
- Services from providers not on the OAP Provider List
If you need respite or daily supports, those are covered by SSAH, which is a separate program.
What do receipts and invoices need to include
You submit invoices to get reimbursed. Amounts over $25,000 are paid in installments. You need to reconcile the first $25,000 before the next portion is released. Missing or incomplete receipts delay your funding.
Every invoice must include
- Provider's full name and professional credentials
- Provider's registration number with their regulatory college
- Date of service
- Type of service (ABA session, speech assessment, etc.)
- Duration of service
- Amount charged
- Your child's name
Keep receipts organized from day one
Set up a tracking system before services start. You will need to reconcile regularly, and scrambling for receipts months later causes delays and stress.
Why do I need to check ADP before buying devices
The Assistive Devices Program (ADP) covers many communication and assistive devices at 75% of the cost. If ADP covers a device, OAP Core Clinical will not reimburse it. Always check ADP eligibility first to avoid paying out of pocket for something that should have been partially funded.
How to check
- Ask your provider if the device is on the ADP eligible list
- If ADP covers it, apply through ADP first and use OAP for the remaining 25% if applicable
- If ADP does not cover it, document that and claim through OAP
Full details on ADP eligibility and application process are in the ADP guide.
Common mistakes with OAP expenses
Official source
This guide is based on publicly available government information. Always verify with the official page:
ontario.ca: Ontario Autism Program, Core Clinical Services (opens in new tab)Last verified against official source: April 2026
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What to do next
See the full OAP Core Clinical guide
Eligibility, registration, funding amounts by age, and what happens after your invitation.
Read the OAP Core Clinical guide →
Check if ADP covers a device first
The Assistive Devices Program covers many devices at 75%. Check before spending OAP funds.
Read the ADP guide →
Understand what SSAH covers instead
Respite, daily supports, and development activities go through SSAH, not OAP.
See SSAH vs OAP comparison →
Track your OAP expenses
Download the free expense tracker spreadsheet. Log invoices, flag missing receipts, and stay ready for your next reimbursement.
Your email is stored in a Google Sheet managed by KnowAutism.ca. We use it to send tracker updates and product news. No health information is collected. Privacy details
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