How MeRT Treatment for Autism Can Help Other Therapies Work Better

When it comes to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), no two are exactly alike. Each person on the spectrum has their unique strengths and challenges.

For example, one person with ASD might be very verbal and love talking about their favorite topics; another might struggle with speech and use nonverbal methods to communicate.

That’s why finding the right combination of treatments is so important.

Per the National Institutes of Health: “Many people with ASD benefit from treatment, no matter how old they are when they are diagnosed. People of all ages, at all levels of ability, can often improve after well-designed interventions.

“There is currently no one standard treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

“But there are many ways to help minimize the symptoms and maximize abilities. People who have ASD have the best chance of using all of their abilities and skills if they receive appropriate therapies and interventions.”

And that’s the point: minimizing symptoms and maximizing abilities.

The most common treatments for ASD include behavioral therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and sensory integration therapy. These therapies address various aspects of behavior, communication, social skills, and daily living.

But what if there was a way to make those therapies work even better? That’s where MeRT, or Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy, comes in. MeRT is a non-invasive treatment that could help your child get more out of the therapies they’re already using.

What Is MeRT Treatment for Autism?

MeRT is a new way of treating ASD. It uses magnetic pulses to improve brain function. The best part? It’s drug-free, gentle, and painless. And the benefits can last a long time.

Here's how it works. The brain has different types of brainwaves or patterns of electrical activity. These brainwaves include:

Delta: Seen during deep sleep.
Theta: Present during light stages of sleep.
Alpha: The resting, awake state where the brain is most comfortable.
Beta: Used for focus, problem-solving, and active thinking.

MeRT treatment focuses on the alpha brainwave state, the frequency at which the brain is most comfortable.

These brainwaves might not be active enough in some regions. This can lead to challenges in communication, behavior, and learning. MeRT aims to fix these problems by “nudging” the brainwaves into a more normal pattern. This helps the brain work better overall, making other autism therapies more effective.

How Does MeRT Work?

The first step in MeRT treatment is to map the brain’s electrical activity. We do this using a test called a qEEG, or “brain mapping.” The qEEG shows where the brainwaves are out of sync, which might be causing ASD symptoms.

Once we have this information, we create a personalized treatment plan. During MeRT sessions, we use an FDA-cleared device that sends gentle magnetic pulses to the brain areas needing help. These pulses are carefully timed and targeted to improve the brain’s function.

Over time, as the brainwaves get back in sync, symptoms of autism may improve. Most people start to see changes after about four to six weeks of treatment.

Visible Results from MeRT Treatment for Autism

These graphs represent alpha brainwave activity in the front, middle, and back of the brain.

Source: Wave Neuro

In the first image, on the left-hand side, you can see the expected alpha brainwave operation in each of these brain areas. On the right, you can see areas of the brain not developing this alpha rhythm, particularly in the front of the brain. This is a common brainwave pattern of someone with autism.

Source: Wave Neuro

In this series of graphs, you can see the results of MeRT treatment after just a few weeks, with improvements in the alpha wave activity. These improvements show up as changes in behavior.

Parents report better sleep, improved eye contact, comprehension, listening, social awareness, and communication.

Benefits of MeRT Treatment for Autism

Many families have reported positive changes after MeRT treatment. Some of the improvements they’ve noticed include:

Better sleep
More eye contact
Improved understanding and listening
Greater social awareness
Reduced stimming behaviors
Enhanced communication, both verbal and non-verbal

These changes don’t happen overnight, but as the brain functions better, these improvements can become more noticeable and long-lasting.

Many studies have been done on the effectiveness of TMS and MeRT to treat ASD, with more ongoing. A new review published in May 2024 included 17 studies performed over the past five years and found the following:

“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.”

How MeRT Can Boost the Effectiveness of Other Therapies

Many people with autism benefit from various therapies, such as:

Behavioral Therapy: Helps improve specific behaviors and skills.
Speech Therapy: Aims to enhance communication abilities.
Occupational Therapy: Focuses on daily living and motor skills.
Sensory Integration Therapy: Addresses sensitivities to sensory input.

These therapies are important but can be even more effective when the brain functions better. Here’s how MeRT might help:

Behavioral Therapy: When the brain works more efficiently, learning and adapting can become easier, making behavioral therapy more successful.
Speech Therapy: MeRT can help the brain’s communication centers, making it easier for speech therapy to produce results.
Occupational Therapy: By improving brain function, MeRT can enhance coordination and motor skills, key focus areas in occupational therapy.
Sensory Integration Therapy: MeRT may reduce sensory sensitivities, making sensory integration therapy more effective.

What’s great is that MeRT doesn’t interfere with other treatments or medications. It’s designed to complement them, helping your child get the most out of their treatment plan.

Is MeRT Safe?

Yes, MeRT is safe. It’s a non-invasive treatment, meaning no surgery or needles are involved. The magnetic pulses used in MeRT are similar to those used in MRI machines, which have been safely used for decades.

The equipment used in MeRT is FDA-cleared to treat Depression and OCD, and we use it “off-label” to treat a variety of neurological conditions, including ASD.

Most importantly, MeRT is personalized to each patient. The treatment is based on detailed brain mapping, ensuring the magnetic pulses are delivered precisely where needed.

Here’s What Parents Have to Say…

“Dr. Awodele and his staff were amazing. Our son just completed six weeks of MeRT, and we are definitely seeing gains. He is much calmer and happier. I have also seen improvement in his speech and his eye contact. I am so glad we decided to do therapy. Dr. Awodele and his assistants were extremely kind, caring, and patient with our son. We are so grateful and hope to continue to see gains in the coming months.” – Parent of MeRT Patient

“Great experience, a life changer for my son. I will be bringing him back again. I definitely recommend the team, they are awesome.” – Verified Patient

“I absolutely LOVE the staff here! My son has autism and has just finished treatments, and he was always so excited to go! Dr. Awodele, Lani, and Olivia are an amazing team, and we regard them as family! 100% recommend.” – Verified Patient

“The staff is great, and the treatment really helped my son with sleep and better mood.”– Verified Patient

“Dr. Awodele and his two technicians, Loni and Olivia, are the absolute BEST! The office is so clean and inviting. They have snacks for the kiddos, which is a great touch. I would highly recommend this office. I absolutely adore them!” – Verified Patient

“Absolutely loved everyone in the office! Our son has ASD, and they were very kind and patient with him. Definitely recommend!” – Verified Patient

What About Side Effects?

Like any medical treatment, MeRT can have some side effects. The most common ones include mild headaches, fatigue, and scalp discomfort where the magnetic pulses are applied.

In rare cases, there can be a temporary worsening of autism symptoms before improvements are seen. That’s not common, and it’s important to remember that everyone responds differently to MeRT — and not everyone will experience side effects.

If side effects occur, we can often manage them with simple measures and by adjusting the treatment. We closely monitor treatment throughout the process to quickly manage any side effects.

How to Get Started with MeRT Treatment for Autism

If you think MeRT might be a good fit for your child, the first step is to schedule a consultation. During this visit, we’ll discuss your child’s needs and how MeRT could help. We’ll also review the brain mapping process and what to expect during treatment.

We believe every child deserves the best treatments available and that the right combination of therapies can make all the difference. And we know that you can see the potential in your child — if you could only access it. We are here to help with caring, compassion, and patience.