We’re excited to share some wonderful news: The Phoenix Center was recently featured on News 12 for our groundbreaking use of virtual reality technology in the classroom!
In a recent article titled “Nutley school uses virtual reality to help children with neurodiversity succeed in the real world”, Amanda Eustice explores how we’re harnessing the power of virtual reality to support our students in developing essential life skills.
For students like 16-year-old Kaito, donning a virtual reality headset isn’t just a fun activity—it’s a transformative learning experience. Through our partnership with Floreo, a therapy-based learning application, our students are immersed in virtual environments designed to teach important everyday skills and tasks.
Under the guidance of our dedicated speech therapists, students navigate scenarios like going through Transportation Security Administration checks at the airport, all within the safe and controlled environment of the classroom. By practicing social, behavioral, and life skills in virtual settings, our students gain confidence and competence that they can apply in the real world.
As speech therapist Mali DeSantis explains, “We can bring them out into the community, and they can truly apply it. They can do things in a very controlled way, and they can recognize the things that they saw in the virtual reality.”
At The Phoenix Center, we’re committed to providing our students with the tools they need to thrive beyond the classroom. Through innovative initiatives like our virtual reality program, we’re helping neurodiverse students like Kaito unlock their full potential and succeed in the real world.
To learn more about our virtual reality program and the incredible impact it’s having on our students, be sure to check out the full article on News 12 here.