MeRT, A Non-Invasive Autism Therapy Is Getting Results
MeRT® (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) is emerging as a transformative option for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This innovative approach gently stimulates targeted areas of the brain using non-invasive magnetic pulses, with the goal of improving brain connectivity and overall function.
Autism affects each person differently. From challenges in communication and social interaction to difficulties in learning and independent functioning, the symptoms—and their intensity—can vary widely. Because no two individuals with autism are alike, MeRT treatment is never one-size-fits-all. Each therapy plan is crafted using detailed brain scans and advanced diagnostics, allowing the treatment to be precisely tailored to the individual’s unique brain patterns and needs. Whether a child is high- or low-functioning, with varying cognitive strengths, this customized approach ensures that stimulation is delivered to the right areas at the right frequency.
At Novara Healthcare, our Houston ASD Clinic, we are dedicated to helping patients and families address these challenges through innovative, compassionate care designed to unlock each individual’s potential.
What is MeRT?
MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) is a next-generation advancement in brain modulation—offering a far more individualized approach than traditional Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). While both therapies use magnetic pulses to influence brain activity, MeRT is distinctly customized. Every aspect of the treatment—frequency, location, and intensity—is tailored to the individual’s unique brainwave patterns.
TMS devices, which are FDA-cleared for conditions like Major Depressive Disorder and OCD, are also used off-label to help with a variety of neurological challenges, including Autism Spectrum Disorder. MeRT builds on this foundation, enhancing its effectiveness through advanced diagnostic tools.
By integrating Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Quantitative EEG (qEEG), MeRT allows clinicians to assess each patient’s brainwave activity in extraordinary detail. This data guides the creation of a completely customized treatment plan, unlike standard TMS, which delivers a uniform protocol regardless of the patient.
Where traditional TMS might stimulate a fixed brain region at a preset frequency, MeRT identifies exactly which areas need support and how best to stimulate them. Through in-depth brain mapping and functional analysis, we determine optimal neural synchronization and then use that insight to restore better brain communication.
For individuals with autism, treatment typically spans six to eight weeks, with brief sessions (30–45 minutes) held Monday through Friday. Many begin noticing changes within the first few weeks—such as enhanced communication, improved focus, and increased social engagement.*
Years of Research Support MeRT’s Role in Improving Autism Symptoms
MeRT incorporates targeted repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)—a technique that has been the focus of numerous clinical studies for its effectiveness in addressing symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). With a growing body of research conducted over many years, the evidence continues to build in support of rTMS as a valuable component of autism care. Below are just a few of the studies highlighting its positive impact.
1. 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.”
2. 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.”
3. 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.”
4. 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.”
5. 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.”
6. 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.”
Call Our New Patient Coordinator for More Information- (713) 231-5594
A New Path Forward for Individuals with Autism
At Novara Healthcare, a Brain Treatment Center in Sugarland TX, we believe that every individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) deserves the chance to reach their full potential. That’s why we offer MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy)
MeRT has made a meaningful difference in the lives of many individuals with autism by helping to improve brain connectivity and communication. By enhancing how the brain processes and responds to information, patients often experience increased independence and a greater ability to engage with the world around them.
MeRT is designed to work in harmony with other therapeutic approaches. Whether your child is receiving ABA therapy, speech and language support, or occupational and physical therapy, MeRT can enhance outcomes by strengthening the brain’s ability to respond and adapt.
For those navigating the challenges of autism, MeRT offers new hope—not by replacing existing care, but by creating a foundation that helps everything else work more effectively.
Many families have reported transformative results after MeRT treatment, including:
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Enhanced social engagement -
Reduction in anxiety, frustration, and self-stimulating (stimming) behaviors
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Clearer and more effective communication
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Greater awareness and participation in daily life
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Expanded language abilities
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Stronger emotional connections with others
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Improved ability to follow instructions
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Increased adaptability to new situations
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Better coping skills in stressful environments
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Heightened motivation to learn
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More stable moods and emotional regulation
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Extended attention span and improved focus
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Greater relaxation and calm
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Amplified benefits from other autism therapies.
“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 stimming and that was the biggest change for her. Third, but not least, she started to socialize and play with other children!”
Testimonial from a father about MeRT Treatment for his son that ended up in the Autism Parenting Magazine. Here’s an excerpt from that article:
“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.
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 because now I can talk,’” says Frank.
What to Expect From MeRT
At Novara Healthcare’s Houston ASD Clinic, Magnetic eResonance Therapy (MeRT) offers a personalized approach to support individuals with ASD. While MeRT is not a cure, many patients experience improvements in a wide range of symptoms and overall quality of life.
“My daughter looks me in the eye and pats my shoulders and goes, “Oh,” and she hugs me. And then she pats my shoulders again and she kisses me, and I’ll never forget that sensation – the first connection with my daughter after four and a half years. Many things changed. Her sleep patterns before, she would wake up and we’d all wake up then, and we just had the worst nights. And she started sleeping through the night. She started following instructions. I felt like she was finally processing correctly or she was finally understanding the world around her, so she was no longer scared to live in it. And as a family, we were the luckiest people, and we were so happy that we took her to Disney – in the place where I feel has the most stimulation in the world and visuals – and she was so happy. We could finally, finally be a family. I am so grateful to this therapy.”
Contact our New Patient Coordinator at our Houston ASD Clinic
You don’t need to make any decisions now as to whether MeRT is the right therapy. There are many steps to take to discover is this is right.
First, you should talk with our New Patient Coordinator. She can explain how it all works and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Next you would schedule a qEEG (painless, non-invasive brain scan), followed by a consultation with our clinician, to review the results of the scan and determine the potential benefits from MeRT for Autism. At this point you can make an informed decision as to whether you would like to move forward with treatment.