EEG-Guided rTMS for Autism in Plano
A Personalized, Brain-Based Approach Using MeRT® (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy)
- Non-invasive and medication-free
- Guided by detailed brainwave analysis (qEEG)
- Designed to support brain communication and regulation
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A Thoughtful, Brain-Based Approach to Autism Treatment
Autism affects each child differently, and no single approach works for everyone. Many families explore a combination of educational, behavioral, and medical supports to help their child thrive.
At Brain Treatment Center Plano, we offer MeRT® (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy), a personalized form of EEG-guided rTMS, as a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that focuses on how the brain communicates and regulates itself.
This approach is designed to support brain function and may be explored alongside other therapies.
Autism treatment with MeRT may improve communication, learning retention, and sleep.
(results vary from individual to individual, but we can get an idea of how well a patient will respond after the initial evaluation)
Contact our
New Patient Coordinator
Or fill in the form at the bottom of the page for more information.
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
About Autism and Brain Function
Autism Spectrum Disorder affects each person differently, and no two children experience it in the same way. However, autism is often associated with differences in how the brain processes information and communicates across regions. These differences can influence communication, learning, emotional regulation, sensory processing, and daily functioning.
Tools such as EEG (electroencephalogram) testing can help clinicians observe patterns of brain activity related to regulation and communication. For some children with autism, these patterns differ from those typically seen in neurotypical development, offering additional insight into how the brain is functioning.
Understanding brain activity can be an important part of evaluating whether a brain-based treatment approach may be appropriate.
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 uses non-invasive EEG data to guide treatment, allowing physicians to individualize stimulation based on each child’s unique brain patterns rather than relying on fixed protocols.
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
How MeRT Fits Into a Broader Care Plan
MeRT treatment does not replace behavioral, educational, or therapeutic supports such as ABA, speech therapy, or occupational therapy.
Instead, it focuses on neurological regulation, which some families explore as part of a broader, individualized care plan. Because each child’s brain is different, experiences vary, and treatment decisions are made based on careful evaluation.
Areas Families Often Ask About
Because MeRT is individualized, experiences vary. Families commonly share observations related to:
- Communication and social engagement
- Emotional regulation and frustration tolerance
- Attention and learning readiness
- Sensory processing and overall calm
- Sleep and daily routines
Patient Perspective
Families share their experiences in their own words. Individual results vary, and testimonials do not guarantee outcomes.
Medical Leadership
Dr. Spencer O. Miller is a board-certified neurologist and 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 has extensive experience using EEG-guided rTMS (MeRT) in children and adults and works closely with families to determine whether this brain-based approach may be appropriate for children with autism. His care emphasizes careful evaluation, individualized planning, and ongoing monitoring throughout treatment.
What Research Has Shown
Studies of rTMS for autism have reported:
- Improvements in social and verbal engagement
- Reductions in repetitive or rigid behaviors
- Changes in brainwave activity and neural flexibility
- Positive effects of using non-invasive, well-tolerated protocols
Research has included systematic reviews, clinical trials, and EEG-guided pilot studies in both children and adults.
Selected Research Highlights
- Systematic reviews show consistent improvements across social, verbal, and behavioral measures following rTMS
- EEG-guided studies demonstrate measurable changes in brainwave organization alongside symptom improvement
- State-dependent rTMS research suggests that reducing neural rigidity may influence multiple autism-related traits
(Individual results vary, and research continues to evolve.)
Want to Explore the Research in Depth?
We’ve compiled a comprehensive, up-to-date library of peer-reviewed studies on rTMS and EEG-guided rTMS for 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.
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.
Or fill in the form below.
