Autism Therapy in a Virtual World

Easterseals Southern California's Autism Services program has teamed up with Floreo VR to bring virtual reality into the therapy setting. Floreo VR is a cutting-edge virtual reality tool that empowers neurodiverse learners. 

This innovative method creates immersive experiences for neurodiverse individuals to communicate and practice essential life skills in new ways. From crossing the street and riding in the car safely to interacting with first responders, these scenarios allow learners to practice potentially stressful situations in a controlled environment. 

“With Floreo VR, we are able to teach skills to our participants that we are not able to target in a home or community setting, resulting in better outcomes,” said Dr. Jaqueline Ganley, Regional VP of Behavioral Services at Easterseals. “We continually seek innovative approaches to support individuals with autism, enabling them to engage with the world in a safe and accessible manner; our partnership with Floreo has equipped us with effective tools to accomplish this goal." 

This summer, Floreo also launched its inaugural scientific advisory board to advance evidence-based VR therapy for neurodiverse learners. The board is chaired by Dr. Paula Pompa-Craven, Chief Clinical Officer of Easterseals Southern California, and is comprised of six leaders across behavioral health research, clinical practice, and healthcare delivery. The advisory board will provide strategic direction on research initiatives, clinical study design, and the continued scientific validation of Floreo’s VR-based learning tools

“Together with Easterseals, we have the privilege of creating a world where neurodiverse individuals can practice life, communication, and social skills in a safe, virtual environment, preparing them to navigate real-world situations with confidence and independence,” said Vijay Ravindran, CEO of Floreo.

This partnership with Floreo has gained Easterseals T-Mobile’s “Unconventional Award” for leveraging 5G technology to transform lives. Floreo VR and Easterseals Southern California are thrilled to continue to work together to unlock new possibilities for neurodiverse individuals.