Neurostimulation for Autism Spectrum Disorders

For more than 40 years, the Drake Institute has been a pioneer in safe, effective, non-drug, and non-invasive treatment protocols for a variety of disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), ADHD, anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, and many others.

To advance our clinical care programs for patients with autism, the Drake Institute began implementing a cutting-edge technology known as neurostimulation. This breakthrough treatment allows our patients to achieve faster and more significant improvement, including for patients with treatment-resistant autism where other previous clinical interventions were unsuccessful.

Because Autism Spectrum Disorder is highly variable, no two patients present in the same way. Some individuals may struggle with social communication and repetitive behaviors, while others may show more significant difficulties with sensory processing, sleep, or attention regulation. At the Drake Institute, we recognize the unique needs of each patient and we use brain mapping to identify the specific brain regions that are linked to symptoms so the patient can have a higher probability for symptom improvement.

What Is Neurostimulation (Neuromodulation)?

Neurostimulation uses gentle, non-invasive stimulation to help the brain develop more optimal patterns of functioning. This clinical technology has been developed to use the brain’s neuroplasticity to recover from brain injuries, including strokes, and research has shown benefits across multiple disorders, including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.

In fact, neurostimulation and neuromodulation technologies are being used at leading medical centers around the world including Harvard University School of Medicine, the Mayo Clinic, and UCLA School of Medicine.

At the Drake Institute, we utilize one of the most advanced neurostimulation systems available. This instrumentation delivers safe, low-intensity stimulation through Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (pEMF), Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), and Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS).

What makes our clinical application of brain map-guided neurostimulation so effective is its seamless integration with neurofeedback, allowing us to not only guide the brain toward healthier activity patterns but also reinforce those changes to increase the probability of long-term improvement.

How Neurostimulation Works in the Brain

Autism Spectrum Disorder is linked to differences in how the brain processes information and communicates across networks. Research has identified:

• Abnormal connectivity between brain regions.
• Areas of the brain that can be under-activated as well as areas that could be overactivated.

The brain functions through rhythmic electrical activity called brainwaves. These are defined by their frequency. For example, Delta and Theta waves are categorized as slow brainwaves, which are dominant during sleep or states of under-arousal. Beta waves are much faster and are linked to attention, learning, and active thinking.

When too many slow waves occur during wakefulness, the brain is underactivated and it can interfere with focus, learning, or self-regulation. However, regions of the brain may also be overactivated, reflected by excessive fast-wave activity which can lead to anxiety, emotional dysregulation, sensory overload, and sleeping disturbances.

Through qEEG brain mapping, the Drake Institute can identify dysregulated brainwave patterns associated with a patient’s symptoms. Neurostimulation then gently guides the brain toward more balanced, functional patterns.

Through repetition, neurostimulation retrains the brain to fire in more optimal patterns, resulting in healthier brain functioning and reduced autism symptoms.

A simple analogy to neurostimulation and neuromodulation would be learning how to hit a forehand stroke in tennis. When learning this specific technique, an instructor may hold your wrist and move your arm through the correct motion as you hit the tennis ball. And every time you hit the tennis ball with the correct motion, guided by your instructor, your brain and body are forming new connections in the brain/muscles to learn the proper motion.

After many repetitions, you can then replicate the correct tennis swing without the help of the instructor because the motion has been wired into your nervous system.

Types of Neurostimulation Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (pEMF)

Due to neuroplasticity, the brain can reorganize and create new more functional brainwave patterns. pEMF delivers a very low-intensity electromagnetic signal to the brain to promote better regulation and functioning. It can help shift the brain from abnormal activity patterns to more optimal patterns for emotional well-being and cognitive functioning. Following pEMF neurostimulation, the brain can then be even more receptive to neurofeedback training.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

tDCS uses a gentle, constant electrical current to stimulate targeted brain regions. Research has shown potential improvements in social withdrawal, hyperactivity, irritability, agitation, and crying.

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

tACS applies frequency-specific stimulation to help synchronize brainwave rhythms. This technique may support improvements in cognitive processing, sensory regulation, and sleep patterns. In our clinical practice, the Drake Institute has also seen noticeable improvement in receptive and expressive language.

Neurostimulation Combined with Neurofeedback

While neurostimulation helps improve brain activity, neurofeedback reinforces these patterns by training the brain to sustain them on its own. The Drake Institute has seen this two-step process help produce longer lasting symptom reduction.

Benefits of Neurostimulation for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Many patients can progress with neurofeedback by itself very satisfactorily. For these patients, we would not recommend neurostimulation.

However, where neurostimulation is recommended, patients receiving it at the Drake Institute may experience:

• Faster improvements compared to neurofeedback alone.
• Improved social interaction and communication skills.
• Increased attention span and focus.
• Better sleep regulation.
• Improved emotional and behavioral control.
• Reduced sensory sensitivities.

Neurostimulation is safe, drug-free, and non-invasive, and we have successfully helped patients as young as 3 years old, and as old as 103 years old.

Who Can Benefit from Neurostimulation Therapy?

Treatment outcomes vary depending on several factors, including:

• Co-occurring frequent and persistent digestive problems.
• Severity of autism symptoms.
• Co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, ODD, epilepsy, or anxiety.

Some patients may show improvement in attention and sleep, while others benefit in language, social communication, or emotional regulation. The best clinical outcome is achieved by developing clinical protocols that target specific qEEG findings linked to symptoms.

What to Expect from Neurostimulation Treatment

At the Drake Institute, every treatment program begins with a comprehensive brain mapping assessment to identify areas of dysregulation.

A typical treatment plan may include:

• Comfortable, non-invasive sessions using neurofeedback and/or neurostimulation.
• Session lengths and frequency tailored to the patient’s needs and age.
• Ongoing integration with other outside treatments such as behavioral therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy.
• Adjustments to protocols based on patient progress.

Drake Institute’s Comprehensive Approach

For over 40 years, the Drake Institute has pioneered non-drug, non-invasive treatments for disorders affecting brain functioning. Our approach combines:

• qEEG brain mapping to guide treatment.
• Neurofeedback training to reduce symptoms through self-regulation.
• Neurostimulation (when needed) to initiate healthier brainwave activity.

By integrating these technologies with compassionate care, the Drake Institute has helped many families achieve meaningful, lasting improvements in daily life.

FAQs About Neurostimulation for Autism

What is the difference between neurostimulation and neurofeedback?

Neurostimulation gently guides the brain into more functional activity patterns, while with neurofeedback the patient is self-generating these healthier, more functional patterns on their own. Both can be used together for greater benefit.

Is neurostimulation safe for children with autism?

Yes. The techniques we use are non-invasive and deliver only very mild stimulation. We have safely used neurostimulation to treat children as young as 3 years old.

How many sessions are needed before seeing results?

Improvements in symptoms are typically seen in 1-2 weeks, but patients are unique in how they respond and the exact number varies from patient to patient.

Can neurostimulation improve speech or language delays in autism?

Some patients experience gains in language and communication. Improvements can be further reinforced with neurofeedback.

What happens if my child doesn't respond to neurostimulation?

Because the Drake Institute guides treatment based on qEEG findings, it is very infrequent that the child does not improve from neurostimulation.

Contact the Drake Institute Today

If you or someone you know is living with autism spectrum disorder, the Drake Institute is here to help. Call us today at 800-700-4233 to schedule a no-cost preliminary consultation and learn more about our customized, non-drug, non-invasive treatment programs.