MeRT: Autism Treatment
Gentle, Non Invasive and Drug Free
A Treatment for Autism That is Well Tolerated
MeRT Treatment: An Autism Solution That Can Give Real Change.
Our Board-Certified Neurologist, Dr. Spencer Miller, has been using MeRT® with Autism for some years now and has treated hundreds of patients with excellent results. MeRT is a drug-free, noninvasive, and gentle treatment that can be used alongside other therapies. Dr. Miller has seen patients respond to this autism treatment with better communication, better retention and learning, and better sleep.
MeRT Treatment for Autism
MeRT, which stands for Magnetic Resonance Therapy, is a type of Magnetic stimulation where a magnetic field is designed to stimulate exact actions and paths in the brain that are under-active. Many studies have shown that targeted TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) can be effective in treating ASD. (See quotes from some of these studies below.) Additionally, MeRT can help children get more out of other therapies, including ABA Therapy.
MeRT starts with a quantitative EEG/EKG to show exactly where the brain needs encouragement and increased activity. We then customize treatment for each patient’s needs based on frequency, location, and the amount of power used. Its very specific to the patient.
Autism treatment with MeRT can result in better communication, better retention and learning, and improved sleep.
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New Patient Coordinator
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After six weeks of MeRT treatment, our son said his name for the first time! He has been more flexible in his daily schedule, OCD tendencies have lessened tremendously, and he does not become as anxious as he had previously experienced in new places and surroundings.We cannot thank Dr. Miller and his staff enough for the kindness, care, and genuine concern they have shown (and continue to show) our son and our family.“
– Korczak FAMILY, after Mert for autism
(results vary from individual to individual, but we can get an idea of how well a patient will respond after the initial evaluation)
About Autism and Brain Function
Autism Spectrum Disorder affects each person differently, and no two people have the same experience. However, some commonalities exist since Autism can change brain function and cause differences with how a person views the outside world and communicates with others. Social skills, learning, interacting with others, and the ability to function independently of care can be altered.
The qEEG will show different electrical signals in the brain of a child with Autism. For those who do not have Autism, brain patterns are typically dominant alpha frequency, but in a child with Autism, there is a mix of higher frequencies of beta waves mixed with slower delta and theta brain waves.
MeRT protocols work as an Autism Therapy by neuromodulating brain waves. This optimizes brain communication, which helps it to be more organized and in sync. This often allows the child to function at a higher level. In many cases, this leads to better communication skills, social skills, and more independence, resulting in improved quality of life for both the patient and the caregiver.
Seeing Your Child’s Brain for the First Time
A qEEG brain map is a window into something most families have never had access to: a clear, visual picture of how their child’s brain is actually functioning.
The scan records electrical activity across the brain in real time, showing us which frequency ranges are dominant—and where things may be out of balance. In neurotypical brains, alpha waves tend to lead. In many children with autism, we see a different pattern: higher beta activity mixed with slower delta and theta waves, indicating disrupted communication between brain regions.
This is where MeRT begins—not with a generalized approach, but with your child’s actual brain data. Treatment is then built around what the map shows, adjusted at the frequency, location, and intensity level that matches what we find.
Tracking Change Over Time
We perform follow-up EEGs throughout treatment—typically every two weeks—so we can see exactly how the brain is responding and refine the protocol accordingly.
The three columns show EEG readings taken on January 15th, January 25th, and February 8th. The red box highlights the alpha frequency range. As treatment progresses, the peak within that range becomes more defined—a measurable sign that the brain is moving toward more organized, stable activity. This is what guides every adjustment we make.
What is MeRT Treatment?
MeRT is a personalized form of EEG-guided repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) used to support brain communication and regulation.
MeRT treatment protocols are based on extensive research studies, many of which are listed below. Magnetic waves are used to balance and stimulate brain function. The MeRT technology uses brain imaging and sophisticated diagnostics to customize treatment for each individual, making it highly effective in many cases as an Autism Therapy. The aim of MeRT is to improve brain communication and synchronization, leading to significant and long-lasting improvements.
Treatment is non-invasive, does not involve medication or anesthesia, and is generally well tolerated.
“My experience here has been life-changing. My 15-year-old son with autism, after only three weeks of treatment, has already begun to show great improvement.
“He is less aggressive, his speech is more fluent, and he is finally sleeping throughout the night. It’s like a light switch has been turned on.”
– parent of a child with asd
Our Medical Director, Board-Certified Neurologist Dr. Miller
Dr. Spencer O. Miller is the Medical Director of Brain Treatment Center Plano, Dallas, and Fort Worth. He has decades of clinical experience and previously served in the U.S. Air Force, where he treated people with complex neurological injuries.
Dr. Miller now specializes in MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) treatment of children and adults with autism, as well as with traumatic brain injury recovery, depression treatment, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more.
Dr. Miller is also affiliated with Baylor University Medical Center, where he specialized in stroke, headache medicine, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and seizure. Additionally, he is associated with the Texas A&M Science Center College of Medicine.
His care emphasizes careful evaluation, individualized planning, and ongoing monitoring throughout treatment.
He also speaks multiple languages, including Spanish.
What is MeRT?
MeRT stands for Magnetic Resonance Therapy. MeRT is a tailored, highly individualized form of TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. In simpler terms, we use magnetic waves to stimulate specifically targeted areas of the brain that have been found to not be communicating or functioning optimally.
It is painless and completely non-invasive. You are fully conscious, and there are no drugs or anesthesia involved. It’s simply magnetic waves that stimulate and balance the neurological functioning of your brain.
This is determined through sophisticated diagnostic tools and imaging and is used to plan a tailored treatment approach just for you. MeRT is an emerging technology that aims to improve brain function and communication.
The TMS equipment used is FDA-cleared to treat Major Depressive Disorder and OCD and is used off-label to treat a wide variety of conditions, including autism spectrum disorder.
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New Patient Coordinator
Or fill in the form at the bottom of the page for more information.
There have been many Research Studies that show the use of TMS as effective in Treating ASD Symptoms
MeRT is essentially rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) that is guided by brain scan (qEEG) results. There have been multitudes of studies that have shown benefits of rTMS for autism treatment. Here are just some of these:
A systematic review of transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for autism spectrum disorder, published May 31, 2024. https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(24)08282-3
“After TMS intervention, discernible enhancements across a spectrum of scales are evident in stereotyped behavior, repetitive behavior, and verbal social domains. A comprehensive review of literature spanning the last five years demonstrates the potential of TMS treatment for ASD in ameliorating the clinical core symptoms.
“Recent findings generally indicate that TMS has positive effects on stereotypical behavior, repetitive behavior, verbal and social aspects of ASD, leading to overall improvement across all scale scores post-intervention.”
Autism spectrum disorders: linking neuropathological findings to treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation, published April 2015.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25626149/
“Several rTMS trials in ASD have shown marked improvements in motor symptomatology, attention and perceptual binding.
“Conclusion: rTMS is the first therapeutic attempt at ASD aimed at correcting some of its core pathology.”
Outcomes from Individual Alpha Frequency Guided Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder – A Retrospective Chart Review. – Uchenna Ezedinma1, Piotr Swierkowski2, Shauna Fjaagesund, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36367616/
“Conclusion: This study presents evidence on the efficacy and safety of α-rTMS in improving ASD symptoms, quality of life, and comorbid sleep troubles in children. However, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary pending the presentation of double-blind, randomized clinical trials.”
And more…
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Neuropathological Underpinnings and Clinical Correlations, published June 24, 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7477302/
“TMS is a non-invasive therapeutic intervention capable of modulating evoked and induced gamma oscillations and altering maladaptive behaviors83. Recent reviews of the literature suggest that TMS is safe and effective when used in ASD.”
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation modulates long-range functional connectivity in autism spectrum disorder, published April 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36841084/
“The findings of this study demonstrate that high-frequency rTMS over the parietal lobe is potentially an effective strategy to improve core symptoms by enhancing long-range connectivity reorganization in ASD.”
Impact of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on the directed connectivity of autism EEG signals: a pilot study, published December 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36282407/
“rTMS provides changes in connectivity and behavior, suggesting its potential use as a viable treatment option for ASD individuals.”
Emerging Research on Sleep and Quality of Life in Autism
Sleep disruption is one of the most common and exhausting challenges families face. When sleep improves, regulation, attention, and daily functioning often improve as well. That’s why recent research examining alpha rhythm–guided rTMS (MeRT Treatment) is so important.
A study published in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders reviewed clinical outcomes in 36 children with Level 2 and Level 3 autism who completed nine sessions of alpha-guided rTMS. Researchers found statistically significant improvements in overall sleep quality, including sleep duration, reduced night waking, and less daytime sleepiness. Quality of life scores also improved across emotional, social, and school functioning domains.
In a separate randomized waitlist-controlled trial published in Sleep Advances, children receiving 10 sessions of alpha-guided rTMS showed greater improvements in sleep compared to controls. Objective sleep studies showed measurable gains in sleep efficiency and reductions in waking after sleep onset. Improvements persisted for up to four months following treatment and reported side effects were mild and transient.
While additional large-scale studies are still needed, this emerging research supports continued investigation into EEG-guided, personalized neuromodulation as a potential tool for improving sleep and daily functioning in children with autism.
MeRT Treatment for Autism Featured on “The Doctors”
Many children with Autism have seen miraculous results after going through MeRT treatment.* “The Doctors” TV show interviewed Dr. Spencer O. Miller, who has been using this treatment, and also spoke to some moms of kids with autism and heard their amazing success stories.
A Father tells his MeRT Story
Excerpted from Autism Parenting magazine:
“In the third week, something happened. The family was driving around sightseeing when they realized that they were getting lost in the California desert. Mary and Frank began to argue, and right in the midst of it, the moment they had waited six years for finally came. ‘I remember he said a seven-word sentence basically to the effect of, “I want you two to stop fighting.” And it shocked me so much that I almost stopped breathing,’ Frank recounts. ‘I looked at my wife and said, “Do you realize what just happened? He just said a seven-word sentence.” I had tears in my eyes, and I was happy at the same time.’
“From there, Frankie’s progress snowballed. They returned home after only a month, but the difference between the child who arrived in California and the one who left was striking. They had taken a video of Frankie on the plane when they started the journey, ‘and he’s just making baby babble,’ Frank says. ‘We have another video of him on the plane coming back. And he looks out the window and says, “Goodbye, California, see you soon.” This was a nonverbal kid, 30 days later. And his feet are flat on the ground.’
“Doctors said Frankie would continue to improve even without regular MeRT, albeit a bit slower. Today, he is 11 years old, verbal, and attends a public school. He tells Frank stories about times when he wanted to speak but couldn’t. ‘He goes, “You know, I’m so glad we went to the brain treatment [center] because now I can talk,”’ says Frank.”
Contact our
New Patient Coordinator
Or fill in the form at the bottom of the page for more information.
Is this Autism Treatment Right for Your Child?
We understand MeRT is a relatively new treatment, and you may not be certain if this is right for you. But this is not a decision that needs to be made right away or all alone. Your first step would be a simple phone consultation with our New Patient Coordinator. Here, you can discuss your symptoms and history, ask any questions, and have her explain the protocols, fees, and treatment details.
Step 1
Testing and Consultation
If you are interested in taking the next step to see if MeRT treatment is right for your child, we can set up an appointment for an EEG (brain scan) and a second appointment for a consultation with the doctor. Each of these appointments is about 45 minutes to an hour.
At the first appointment, our neurotechnician will perform an EEG and an EKG. Both are simple, painless, and non-invasive tests that provide clear insight into what is happening in your child’s brain.
A few days later, when your test results are in and analyzed, you will have a one-on-one consultation with the doctor. You can attend this appointment virtually from home. Here you will discuss your test results, get answers to additional questions you may have, and together determine if your child is a candidate for treatment.
Step 2
The Assessment Period
If you and the doctor decide to proceed with MeRT, the next step is the Assessment Period. During this assessment, we will administer a brief treatment period, followed by a new EEG to assess your child’s response. We assess this based on the new EEG results compared with the initial one conducted before treatment started, as well as symptom improvements.
Step 3
Continuing Treatment
If there is a positive response to treatment during the assessment period, you will likely notice some improvements. We can then schedule the additional treatment duration. We perform treatments daily, Monday to Friday, in two-week increments, and a typical treatment session takes about 45 minutes.
The patient will sit in a chair while the neurotechnician administers the treatment using a handheld magnet held near the scalp. We deliver magnetic impulses for 6-8 seconds each minute. Your child may experience a slight sensation during treatment, but it is not uncomfortable. We use no medications, and the patient is fully awake throughout.
MeRT treatments usually last anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks. However, we sometimes recommend additional treatment to achieve the best possible results with MeRT. Each individual is unique, and protocols may vary. Your provider will have regularly scheduled follow-up EEGs and meet with you to manage your child’s progress.
Successes from MeRT Treatment for Autism
Families share their experiences in their own words. Individual results vary, and testimonials do not guarantee outcomes.
Contact Our New Patient Coordinator for More Information
Our New Patient Coordinator is here for you. During your consultation, she will take the time to answer any questions, listen to your concerns, and carefully explain all the details and information you need.
If, after talking to her, you are interested in further exploring whether your child could benefit from MeRT, she can schedule an EEG and a consultation with our doctor.
With thorough diagnostics, the doctor can show you what is happening in your child’s brain and what may be causing the issues. We can then determine whether your child may benefit from MeRT treatment, and you can decide if you would like to move forward.
Life Can Be Better. Call our New Patient Coordinator.
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