Social robots offer considerable potential for supporting therapy in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly by providing consistent and engaging environments for developing social skills. Despite this promise, their real-world adoption remains limited due to a persistent gap between research efforts and practical implementation. This paper explores that gap through a combination of interviews with licensed therapists and a literature review of studies published between 2016 and 2024. Our findings indicate that while social robots can positively influence children’s social development, several critical barriers hinder their integration. These include inconsistent robot design, limited real-world user testing, a lack of standardized evaluation methods, and an underdeveloped evidence base from randomized controlled trials. Ethical concerns—such as safety, data privacy, AI reliability, and the potential to reduce real-world social interactions—further complicate implementation. Additionally, the high cost of robots, coupled with the absence of government funding or insurance support, significantly limits accessibility. This research offers actionable insights to guide the development of user-centered robot designs and strategies for their ethical and widespread use in both therapeutic and home settings.