MeRT: A New Treatment for Autism that Gives New Hope
MeRT stands for Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy.
We use a gentle magnetic field to balance and stimulate brain function, guided by sophisticated diagnostics and imaging.
Results from this treatment include some significant symptom improvement in many cases
Our Board Certified Neurologist has years of experience treating Autism with MeRT.
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 even appeared on the CBS TV Show “The Doctors” to discuss the technique and 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 currently used as an Autism Therapy with great promise. 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.
MeRT protocols are an advanced version of TMS. Dr. Miller considers MeRT superior to standard TMS treatment because MeRT can use customized frequencies and locations to target what is found in the EEG exactly.
MeRT starts with a quantitative EEG/EKG to show exactly where dysregulation is occurring in each individual brain. We then customize treatment for each patient’s needs based on frequency, location, and the amount of power used.
Autism treatment with MeRT can result in better communication, better retention and learning, and improved sleep.
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After six weeks of MeRT treatment, beginning in February 2022, our son said his name for the first time! He has been more flexible with 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 individual to individual, but we can get an idea how well a patient will respond in the after the initial evaluation)
About Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder affects each person differently — no two people have the same experience. However, some commonalities exist since Autism can inhibit brain function and cause issues 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 are all affected.
The qEEG will show different electrical signals in the brain of a child with Autism compared to a normal child. For those not affected with 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.
MeRT as an Autism Treatment
Many Studies have shown altered brain wave oscillations in patients suffering from Autism, as well as other conditions such as Major Depressive Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and others. MeRT treatment protocols involve the use of a magnetic field to balance and stimulate brain function. The MeRT technology involves using brain imaging and sophisticated diagnostics to customize treatment for each individual, making it highly effective in many cases as an Autism Treatment. The aim of MeRT is to improve brain communication and synchronization, leading to significant and long-lasting improvements.
Thank you, Dr. Miller, Naomi, and Carlos, for your help last summer with Immanuel. We are RVing this weekend and marveling at how well Immanuel now socializes with other children at the campsite. We were here last year around the same time, and he needed constant play supervision because he kept arguing and trying to control play. This weekend he’s able to go along with what others are playing.
He is also at a private school with no Special Ed teacher to support him, and he is able to succeed without the extra support. It’s a small classroom, but last year it would have been impossible. Immanuel has made such strides socially, with non-verbal cues, being flexible, and regulating his frustrations.
His occupational therapist has been amazed, as well.”
– David and Debbie J.
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No Obligation Consultation
Or fill in the form at the bottom of the page for more information or to book an initial consultation.
Our Medical Director, Neurologist Dr. Miller
Dr. Spencer O. Miller, a Neurologist in Dallas, Texas, is the owner and Medical Director of Brain Treatment Center Dallas. He received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and has been in practice for 12 years. He spent five of those years in the US Air Force, where he saw many brain injuries, including soldiers suffering from PTSD and TBI.
Dr. Miller now specializes in MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) treatment of traumatic brain injury, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, dementia, as an autism therapy, and potential treatment for multiple other brain disorders at his clinics, the Brain Treatment Centers in both Dallas and Plano.
Dr. Miller is also affiliated with Baylor University Medical Center, where he specializes 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.
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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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.”
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
In the third week, something happened. The family was driving around sight-seeing 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. He was so upset that it pushed these words through.”
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 earlier. 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.
Frank, father of a child with Autism
Contact our New Patient Coordinator
for a
No Obligation Consultation
Or fill in the form at the bottom of the page for more information or to book an initial consultation.
Finding out if this Treatment is Right for You
We understand that MeRT is a relatively new, cutting-edge 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 all the questions you want, and have her explain the protocols, fees, and details of treatment.
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 neuro technician will perform an EEG and an EKG. Both are simple, painless, and non-invasive tests to see exactly 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 the comfort of your 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 move forward with MeRT, the next step is what we call the Assessment Period. During this assessment, we will perform a short period of treatment, followed by a new EEG to see if your child is responding. We assess this based on the new EEG results as compared to the initial one done 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 have likely noticed 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 via a hand-held magnet that is held near the scalp. We deliver the magnetic impulses for 6-8 seconds each minute. Your child may feel a slight sensation while the treatment is occurring, but it is not painful or uncomfortable. We use no medications, and the patient is fully awake throughout.
MeRT treatments will usually go for anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks. However, in some cases, we recommend additional treatment to get the best possible results from MeRT. Each individual is different, and protocols may vary. Additionally, your provider will have regularly scheduled follow-up EEGs and meet with you to closely manage your child’s progress.
Successes from MeRT Treatment for Autism
“It was a great experience with a very friendly and professional staff! When we first brought our child to the clinic, we expected some progress with her speech skills, but we ended up getting results in other unexpected areas.
“The first change we saw with our daughter was that she started to make eye contact. Then she started to be more aware of her surroundings. Second, she stopped stemming, and that was the biggest change for her. Third, but not least, she started to socialize and play with other children!”
Beatriz Yanez
Mother of a child with autism“We are glad we chose BTC Dallas over other BTC centers. BTC Dallas is excellent because of the people there. From Leader & Specialist Dr. Miller to Front Desk warrior Mrs. Jenny, from always on her toes Jenae to cheerful Julie, Erica & Jen, everybody didn’t leave a moment to make us feel comfortable.
“We were sad traveling back to Canada as BTC Dallas felt like home to us! We still remember that everybody at both ends had tears in their eyes on the last day.
“At last, we want to say that you guys have earned our respect, and we are grateful for everything. Dr. Miller, thank you for changing our lives!”
Cheenu Mehra
“3 months post-MERT, emotional regulation has improved dramatically. I can take him out on my own. Two of us went to the farm today as daddy was working and we enjoyed it. Walked by himself the whole time, no running away from me, would not go too far from me and would come back to me when I called.
“In the farm cafe, I even asked him to sit at the table looking after my bag and I went and got us a coke. He was aware and was holding my bag while remaining sitting and also looking at where I was to make sure I was in his sight (I was lining up at the counter to get the coke and he could see me from the table).
“The whole thing would not be possible one month ago as he would just run away from us if he saw things he liked (not aware of danger). He would just meltdown/run away if I insisted on holding his hand to stop him from running. He would lay down anywhere when having meltdowns even in the middle of traffic. We would always go out with dad so if he started running into traffic, daddy could pin him down.
“We have seen so many gains, but his gains have grown slowly and gradually. He just turned 4 in September. He has always been a fast learner, but after treatment he has been smashing all of his goals with his therapy.
“Good luck to all the parents. Hope is there.”
Mother of a child with autism
“We did six weeks of MeRT and last session finished last week. Major gains we have seen:
“Speech would be the biggest part, trying to describe things and trying to form sentences; his therapist is shocked at how much he is talking now.
“Sleep: my child slept well prior to MeRT, but there was lots of flipping around the middle of the night. Now, no more flipping; sleeps through the night for 10-12 hours (wow, I know).
“Hyperactivity has reduced.
“He is playing more games and stays in the same game for a longer period of time.
“He’s trying more varieties of food and will ask to try new food.”
Parents of a child with autism
“My daughter was non-verbal before MeRT. We had MeRT on August 14-September 8, 2023. She started repeating what I said (in Spanish) yesterday! I can only credit MeRT for this!”
Mpther of a child with autism
“After trying various treatments and conducting thorough research, we decided to travel from our home in Illinois to the Brain Treatment Center in Dallas. It was the BEST decision we could have made for our six-year-old son, who has severe apraxia and is on the spectrum.
“After six weeks of MeRT treatment, our son said his name for the first time! He has been more flexible with 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. They are always available for questions and concerns, and they truly support all patients and their families.
“For our family, MeRT and the Brain Treatment Center has been a journey worth the endeavor!”
the Korczak family
Parents of child with autism“We have just finished our first round of MeRT therapy. Very worthwhile for us so far. Gains so far: Our 5-year-old girl, who already has great language capabilities but would often not respond at all to us (low receptivity), started becoming very outspoken about what is on her mind and giving us way more insight into her thought processes and overall just way more responsive.
“I feel like I’m truly getting to know her for the first time. She has had more patience, and is more easily taking turns with toys when sharing with friends and siblings. She can now go with the flow much more and can be reasoned with if things don’t happen the same way as before or as she expected. And she’s less picky with food.
“There’s a heap more, but these are the main ones. The only tricky thing has been increased agitation and minor hitting, but that has since faded to zero. I think she had a lot of brain activity increase that might have caused her to feel overwhelmed temporarily.
“Also, I should say, in addition to us parents, her Nana and uncles were taken aback by her responsiveness to them after our time away for the therapy. She would never say hello or goodbye and now says it all and engages in back-and-forth conversation with them, too.”
Parents of a child with autism
“My kiddo is finishing up her last two weeks of treatment and I cannot be more excited about the gains/progress we have had in the last six weeks. She was very aggressive, had high anxiety, and had no eye contact when talking. One to two words when communicating. Now we can have a relay back-and-forth conversation at least three times with a lot more words. No meltdowns.
“She has become more social with her sibling and peers at school. Better sleep hygiene. Independent with her hygiene morning routine and improvements in school.
“We will do maintenance at the end of the summer for 2-4 weeks.”
Mpther of a child with autism
“My 10-year-old daughter just finished MERT. Even though she is an older kid, the change in the back of the brain was pretty significant, and in the middle and front parts, we see better alpha and lower theta and beta.
“I am good with the charts. How about in real life? We will see when she goes back to school next week. But we see better speech, more patience, better play time with her younger sister, and better understanding and follow up on directions given.
“Side effect? Didn’t see any headaches or anything. She got really ‘hangry,’ but after the last session, that is gone. The clinic explained that it was normal as the therapy was pushing the brain to work out, so she might have felt more hunger.”
Parent of a child with autism
“We have been trying to find time between our crazy schedules to write this message because every word we register here will come from our hearts filled with a lot of respect and gratitude for each one of you there.
“Not so long ago, we made one of our most important and courageous decisions to take not-so-common MeRT treatment for our daughter Iskra, which required intensive travel, relocation to another country for two months, and a substantial financial commitment. We are glad we took this step in our lives and went through 6 weeks of treatment, which has changed Iskra’s and our lives.
“She is very much attached to her father and her grandparents. She adapts to a new schedule very quickly, which was the most challenging thing in the past. Her attention span towards tasks has increased. She is not a grumpy child anymore. She sleeps like a log. No more waking up in the middle of the night and crying hysterically.
“Iskra has been listening and following our commands. She communicates when she needs help and tells us what she wants. She responds without a second delay to our commands. Yes, we did sit in a restaurant as a family and had lunch together.”
MeRT patient
“It was a great experience with a very friendly and professional staff! When we first brought our child to the clinic, we expected some progress with her speech skills, but we ended up getting results in other unexpected areas. The first change we saw with our daughter was that she started to make eye contact — then, she started to be more aware of her surroundings. Second, she stopped stemming, and that was the biggest change for her. Third but not least, she started to socialize and play with other children!”
Mother of a child with autism
“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 autism
“Before doing MeRT Therapy, I was very skeptical because I didn’t know how it would affect my son. We found out he was diagnosed with ASD at 3. He was starting to regress severely. At 5, he wouldn’t pay attention to his surroundings, wouldn’t react to his name being called, had no sense of awareness, no eye contact, became completely non-verbal, and had minor symptoms of ADHD.
“My husband and I did a lot of research before starting and were really nervous to start, seeing how much money it was going to cost us. However, we can now say that we are glad we took that leap of faith. Our son is now making eye contact when we speak with him, has gotten his first haircut without crying, is starting to be verbal by saying words, repeating words back from his tablet, humming and slightly singing, and it truly feels good to hear his voice again. His speech therapist says she is seeing much more progress compared to before and behavior has gotten way better in school.”
Mother of a child with autism
“Last day of MeRT! He had a six-week treatment. Had great feedback from his teachers about how he is so more alert and engaged than they have ever seen him. Huge improvement in mood, much less irritated and his depression is gone after 4 years! Benefits continue to come post-treatment. I think in 3-4 months, I will do another qEEG and track his post-treatment.”
Mpther of a child with autism
*The Results shown are based on active and strict observation of our regimens. Results may vary based on the individual users and are not guaranteed.
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 that you may have, 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, the next step would be to 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. At this point, we can determine whether you (or your loved one) may benefit from MeRT Treatment, and you can decide if you would like to move forward.
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Life Can Be Better
You or your loved one can be at peace and enjoy life. With so many successful treatments of a wide range of neurological conditions, we encourage you to explore the possibilities of MeRT Treatment. It can have a lasting impact — and an improved quality of life!
