How Floreo (and the metaverse) are helping to transform education

We always feel that the work we are doing at Floreo is important and rewarding. And it is always such a thrill for our team when our work and innovation are recognized by others.

Meta's President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, wrote a great piece on how the metaverse can transform education and highlighted our work with the Setanta School in Ireland as an example of how virtual reality can make a difference for students and how our research has shown “improved emotion recognition, social attribution, and executive function”, and led to “a positive change in participant skills related to… interactions, use of eye contact, and initiation of interactions”.

What an honor to be mentioned along with other groundbreaking companies in the educational technology space who are working to engage students like never before.

If you are interested in joining the 30+ schools that have already taken advantage of the Floreo Immersive Learning Program in collaboration with Meta, your school or district can still apply to get free Meta Quest 2 headsets along with a Floreo subscription.

Read Nick Clegg's article here.

Exciting opportunity for educators

FLOREO IMMERSIVE LEARNING PROGRAM

We are thrilled to announce the Floreo Immersive Learning Program, a unique opportunity for schools to bring Floreo to neurodiverse students.

In collaboration with Meta, the program is for neurodiverse students ages 13 and above and includes free Meta Quest 2 headsets for schools. In addition, we are providing a Floreo Classroom Bundle for the low setup cost of only $500 through the 2023/2024 school year for participating schools.

Please share with your favorite educators and schools, including in-school service providers. We are so excited to help get more technology into the hands of very deserving schools. There is a short application process and schools interested in learning more can visit the link below.

In case you missed it...

WHERE FLOREO IS TAKING VR NEXT

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since our founder wrote this piece about our journey at Floreo. So much has happened since then as our company continues to gain momentum and find new ways to support neurodiverse Learners. From our profile in the New York Times about how we are reshaping VR and telehealth, to closing our Series A funding round, to our first payer partnership with CareSource, we have seen the promise of our vision—a world that is open and accessible for every neurodiverse person—translated to real world results.

Just before the start of Autism Acceptance Month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report that concluded that the prevalence of children diagnosed with autism is growing. In 2020, roughly 1 in 36 children under the age of 8 received a diagnosis, up from 1 in 44 two years prior, according to the CDC findings. In 2000, the figure was 1 in 150 children. In its report, the CDC said that because the pandemic led to an undercount of diagnosis, its latest figures do not likely capture the total figures. So our work could not come at a more important time. Read more.

New Partnerships

THE FLOREO COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO GROW

A warm welcome to our newest partners at Easterseals Southern California (CA), Warrior Run School District (PA), Mercy Home (NY), and Vista Middle School (NM) who just signed up to begin their Floreo programs. We look forward to helping you serve the needs of your students, clients, and communities!

And another big welcome to all of the families who have joined us via the Philadelphia Eagles Huddle Up for Autism event! We are so excited to have you here.

Are you ready to join the Floreo family? We would love to discuss implementation in your school, district, or practice!

Floreo in the news

BUILDING BETTER BUSINESSES IN ABA PODCAST

Floreo Founder/CEO Vijay Ravindran was featured on the Building Better Business in ABA Podcast to talk about Floreo's journey, the CPT III code we applied for and were granted last summer, and more. Thanks to host Jonathan Mueller for the opportunity to share more about the work we are doing at Floreo!

Exciting opportunity for educators

FLOREO IMMERSIVE LEARNING PROGRAM

We are thrilled to announce the Floreo Immersive Learning Program, a unique opportunity for schools to bring Floreo to neurodiverse students.

Events

MEET THE FLOREO TEAM AT UPCOMING EVENTS

If you are attending any upcoming events, let us know, we would love to set up time to meet with you!

April 17 - 19 at the Autism Investor Summit
April 17 - 19 at ASU + GSV
April 20 - 21 at the Apex Inspire Virtual Autism Summit
April 27 at The Arc of Tennessee & Orange Grove Transition Fair
May 27 - 29 at ABAI Denver

Funding ideas
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU GAIN FUNDING FOR FLOREO?

We know that budgets can be tight and we want to help get Floreo into the hands of anyone who needs it! If we can help write up your DonorsChoose application (teachers) or provide information for a grant you have identified (anyone!) please let us know.

IDEA and Title I funds are also great sources to help you access a Floreo subscription. As you start thinking about budgets for 2023-24, consider adding in Floreo!

What have we been reading this week?
NEWS ROUND-UP

Why didn’t my pre-diagnosis clinicians bring up the possibility of autism? (A piece by Floreo's Lead Self-Advocate, Sam Farmer)
'She transforms onstage': Columbus teen with autism shines through love of song, talent
More girls are being diagnosed with autism
Autism providers look to telehealth to bridge access gaps
Accessible travel: Expert tips for families with autism, special needs

Heather

Heather is Floreo's Director of Customer Success. She makes sure that all of Floreo's customers are comfortable and confident using Floreo. Prior to working at Floreo, Heather worked at Trove (a news start-up) and eBay for Charity. Heather holds an A.B. from Dartmouth College, where she also played varsity basketball (and won an Ivy League Championship) and a M.Ed. from the University of Mary Washington. In her free time she enjoys reading, tennis, skiing, and hiking around Western North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and adorable lab mix, Pepper.