Randomized control trial across Cortica network of autism therapy centers finds Floreo VR as an effective tool for families and clinicians

Chevy Chase, MD – Dec. 11, 2025 – Cortica, a national provider of advanced neurological therapies for children with autism, today announced new peer-reviewed research published in Autism – Open Access showing that its use of virtual reality (VR) therapy improved social communication skills in school-aged children with autism. Over the last two years, Cortica has deployed Floreo, a pioneering VR-based therapy for neurodivergent individuals, across 17 centers as part of this research and a larger FDA pivotal trial study concluded in November. 

“The results from this early trial provide important validation of VR-based therapy’s potential to strengthen therapeutic outcomes and support social skills development in autistic children” said Dr. Suzanne Goh, Chief Medical Officer at Cortica. “We found that participants who received Floreo’s immersive ‘Building Social Connections’ module saw significant improvement in their communication scores on the Autism Impact Measure, a reliable and widely used measure of autism symptoms.” 

The randomized controlled trial evaluated Floreo’s VR modules as a supplement to Cortica’s highly regarded whole child intervention and was incorporated into Cortica’s ABA therapy. Children who received VR-supported sessions demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in targeted social communication behaviors over a 12-week period. The study served as the initial evidence base supporting Floreo’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Device designation, awarded in 2023, and informed the design of a larger, multi-site FDA pivotal trial study currently underway and anticipated to conclude at the end of the month. 

“This publication marks another important step in understanding how innovations in autism therapy can better serve families,” said Vijay Ravindran, CEO and founder of Floreo. “The findings from this study show that VR can be a game changer in helping youth and adults with autism improve their communication and social skills, through immersive, repeatable practice led by a teacher, clinician, or parent coach. We’re grateful for our continued partnership with Cortica and for the children, families, and clinicians who have contributed to this research.”

Backed by a growing body of research conducted with world-renowned programs like the Center for Autism Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the National Institutes of Health, Floreo’s VR curriculum augments traditional therapies and improves outcomes for neurodivergent individuals and individuals with developmental disabilities. This new research underscores growing interest and demand for VR-based behavioral therapy as a way to create consistent, safe practice environments for learners and to support clinicians in delivering targeted, repeatable interventions.The full study is now available through Autism – Open Access. 

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About Cortica Inc.

Cortica is a leading provider of ABA and other therapies for children with autism, with services available in-center, in-home, and via telehealth. Cortica’s personalized, whole-child approach integrates diagnostic services, medical services for autism’s co-occurring conditions, developmental therapies including occupational therapy and speech-language therapy, and individual and family counseling, all under one roof.  For more information, please visit corticacare.com.

About Floreo

Floreo’s vision is a world that is open and accessible for every neurodiverse person. Its mission is to create the first behavioral therapy metaverse, a virtual world that is safe for learners, equipping them with skills and tools they can apply in their everyday lives. Floreo has developed a virtual reality platform that teaches social, behavioral, communication, and life skills for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and other neurodiverse conditions. For more information, please visit floreovr.com.