The autism therapy industry stands at a transformational crossroads. With historic levels of investment, cutting-edge technologies, and innovations like VR autism therapy entering the field, a new era of care is emerging. Yet, autism as a medical and scientific discipline is still relatively young. A striking reminder of this came with the passing of Donald Triplett in 2023—widely recognized as the first person ever diagnosed with autism. His legacy underscores just how recent, and rapidly evolving, our understanding of this condition truly is.
Since 2000, autism diagnoses in the U.S. have surged from 1 in 150 children to 1 in 36, according to the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. This dramatic increase reflects both enhanced diagnostic capabilities and broader awareness, but it also reveals a growing demand for innovative, accessible, and evidence-backed treatment solutions.
As investors, researchers, and clinicians work to meet this demand, we’re seeing an influx of promising approaches—particularly in the realm of technology. Below is a roundup of key trends and research that are shaping the future of autism therapy, with a spotlight on VR autism therapy.
VR Autism Therapy: A Frontier of Possibility
One of the most exciting developments in the autism treatment space is the application of virtual reality. VR autism therapy is showing early promise in enhancing a range of skills for individuals on the spectrum, particularly those considered high-functioning.
A recent scoping review of existing research identified four core areas where VR autism therapy is being applied:
- Social skills training
- Motor learning and physical coordination
- Eye gaze and joint attention exercises
- Job readiness and vocational education
Most studies to date have focused on children, reflecting a growing consensus that early intervention yields the best long-term outcomes. The study emphasized that half of all reviewed research centered on individuals under 18 years old—highlighting the importance of developing VR autism therapy for early developmental stages.
While still a nascent field, the review suggests that as virtual reality technology becomes more immersive and cost-effective, VR autism therapy could become an essential tool in preparing young autistic individuals for age-related social and professional challenges.
Innovation in Action: Floreo’s Role in Scaling VR Autism Therapy
Among the innovators leading the charge is Floreo, a startup creating immersive VR programs tailored for neurodiverse populations. Their suite of tools is designed to simulate real-world scenarios, offering patients consistent opportunities to practice skills in a safe and engaging environment. Floreo’s commitment to scaling VR autism therapy was further solidified by their recent acquisition of a diagnostic tool from Cleveland Clinic Innovations and a corresponding investment from the organization.
This kind of business activity signals growing confidence in VR autism therapy as a scalable, commercial solution. However, significant hurdles remain—particularly in terms of reimbursement and integration into traditional healthcare pathways.
Currently, VR autism therapy exists largely outside standard medical coding, meaning services are not routinely covered by insurance. That landscape began to shift in 2023, when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced a new HCPCS code for VR programming related to cognitive behavioral therapy. This move marks a small but meaningful step toward greater legitimacy for tech-based interventions, and may open the door for wider adoption of VR autism therapy.
rTMS: A New Pathway for Addressing Sleep Challenges
Sleep disorders affect an estimated 50–80% of individuals on the autism spectrum. These issues are not only disruptive to quality of life—they can also impede cognitive development, behavior regulation, and emotional wellbeing.
Recent research out of Australia explored the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to alleviate sleep difficulties in children with autism. rTMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation method already used for depression and anxiety, and the study suggests it may target some of the neurological pathways implicated in both autism and sleep disturbances.
Although current clinical evidence is limited, researchers believe rTMS has potential as an adjunctive therapy—especially when traditional methods such as sleep hygiene, bedtime fading, and chronotherapy prove insufficient.
This is part of a broader movement in autism care: to build holistic, integrated models that offer a full spectrum of services, including development pediatrics, psychiatry, dentistry, and specialized interventions like VR autism therapy.
Heart and Mind: Exploring the Link Between Autism and Congenital Heart Disease
A groundbreaking study analyzing data from more than 85,000 children found significant associations between congenital heart disease (CHD) and various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. Specifically, the research revealed that the severity of a heart defect correlated with increased autism diagnoses, as well as higher rates of speech disorders and ADHD.
While the study stops short of establishing causation, it points to overlapping genetic factors and shared developmental pathways. Earlier research also found that children with specific heart syndromes—such as left ventricular hypoplasia—had significantly higher risks of autism.
These insights emphasize the importance of early screening for developmental concerns in children with heart conditions. It also reinforces the need for integrated, multidisciplinary care approaches, where VR autism therapy could play a role in supporting cognitive and behavioral development in patients with complex medical profiles.
The Social Media Double-Edged Sword: TikTok and Autism Misinformation
As public awareness of autism grows, so does the volume of content about it on social media. Unfortunately, not all that content is accurate. A recent study by Drexel University analyzed TikTok’s top videos under the hashtag #Autism—which collectively amassed nearly 200 million views.
The findings were sobering:
- 27% of videos were accurate
- 41% were inaccurate
- 32% were overgeneralized
There was no significant difference in engagement between accurate and inaccurate content, suggesting that false or oversimplified narratives spread just as widely as clinically sound information. Much of the misleading content comes from non-experts and self-diagnosed influencers, which can lead to confusion and misinterpretation about what autism really entails.
Healthcare professionals, autism advocates, and platforms like Floreo that promote VR autism therapy must play a more active role in countering misinformation. Accurate, engaging, and accessible digital content is essential to ensure families are making informed decisions about care—including emerging options like VR autism therapy.
Looking Forward: Building a Smarter, More Inclusive Future in Autism Care
The field of autism therapy is expanding—scientifically, technologically, and commercially. But it must also evolve ethically and strategically. VR autism therapy holds great promise, but like all innovation, it must be backed by rigorous research, equitable access, and thoughtful implementation.
From improving sleep and addressing comorbidities to combating misinformation and unlocking new communication tools, the path forward is complex—but full of opportunity.
Autism care is entering a new era where multidisciplinary teams, digital tools, and family-centered models can converge to provide meaningful, lasting support. In that future, VR autism therapy may not just be an innovation—it could become a standard of care.