Floreo - VR for individuals with ASD

As I was reading Jennifer Snelling's article "25 resources to bring AR and VR into the classroom," I couldn't help but be fascinated by the video linked about how one teacher used AR for her students with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). One video led to another and I was introduced to Floreo, virtual reality software designed for individuals with ASD and other related disorders. Here is the original video I discovered that features the founders of Floreo.


Of course, that led me to visit their home page:

                                                                (Image from floreotech.com)


To use Floreo, you must have iOS devices (preferably an iPhone for the student and an iPad for the teacher/therapist/parent) and a compatible VR headset. They suggest any Google Cardboard compatible headset. So really what you are paying for are access to the lessons Floreo designs. You must contact the company directly for pricing. They suggest that Floreo should be used with children ages 7 and up. However, even non-verbal individuals can successfully use Floreo. Floreo is meant to be used with an adult so that the adult can monitor the student's experience and customize it to the specific students' needs.

The lessons are extremely valuable to those who struggle with social skills and emotional regulation. Floreo's site states that their lessons revolve around social connections, teaching stories (also known as social stories), and sensory tools. Some specific examples include teaching greetings, making choices, encountering the police, shopping at a grocery store, and ways to calm yourself during a sensory overload. 

As a mom of a child with a child who has high-functioning ASD, I know how extremely critical these lessons are. I would love for him to be able to experience these lessons through virtual reality. You can only role play with your teacher and classmates so many times before it becomes monotonous. And being able to navigate social situations is not just a matter of awkwardness. If you watch the video with the founders, they mention the 2016 story of Charles Kinsey, the caretaker of a man with ASD who was shot. This inspired lessons about uplanned encounters in Floreo's lesson bank. 

If you are interested in learning more, I would suggest checking out Floreo's youtube channel. There are also several videos that show demonstration lessons. Here is one about getting started with Floreo:



This article gives suggestions for how specific schools are using Floreo. They also tell you exactly what type of headsets they use, which is helpful when you are trying to decide if you have the budget for this amazing technology. Since the CDC estimates that 1 in 54 children have ASD, I would encourage all schools (not just those with high special needs populations) to look into Floreo. I know that I am going to contact my son's support teacher about it.

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