Study finds magnetic brain pulses improve communication in autistic children with intellectual disabilities
Updated
Updated · ScienceAlert · May 10
Study finds magnetic brain pulses improve communication in autistic children with intellectual disabilities
12 articles · Updated · ScienceAlert · May 10
Published in the BMJ, the five-day trial involved 194 children averaging about six-and-a-half years old, with roughly half having IQ scores below 70.
Children receiving real theta-burst stimulation showed lasting gains in social communication and language after a month, while no serious side-effects were reported.
Researchers said the non-invasive approach could help an underserved group with limited treatment options, though durability beyond a month, maintenance needs and routine clinical use remain unclear.
If a five-day brain treatment for autism shows promise, what are the hidden long-term risks for a developing child?
Why does stimulating the brain's motor cortex appear to improve social communication in children with autism?
Breakthrough in Autism Care: a-cTBS Yields Short-Term Gains in Social Communication for Children with ASD and Intellectual Disabilities
Overview
A major breakthrough in autism intervention was reported in April 2026, when a multicenter randomized controlled trial published in The BMJ showed that a five-day course of accelerated continuous theta burst stimulation (a-cTBS) led to significant improvements in social communication and language abilities for children with autism spectrum disorder, including those with intellectual disabilities. Unlike earlier brain stimulation trials that focused on older children without intellectual disabilities and required long sessions, the a-cTBS protocol was specially designed for young children, with each session lasting only two minutes. This innovation makes the treatment more accessible to a group previously underserved in autism research.