Brain Stimulation and Sensory Integration in Children With ASD

Participants receive continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) targeting both the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during each session. Each hemisphere is stimulated with 600 pulses (triplets at 50 Hz repeated at 5 Hz) over \~40 seconds, at 80% of the individual's active motor threshold. Sessions are administered once daily over 10 treatment days.

Participants receive sham continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to both the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using a placebo coil that mimics the auditory and tactile sensations of real stimulation but does not produce a magnetic field capable of affecting brain activity. Coil positioning, session timing, and procedure match the active cTBS protocol, including consecutive stimulation to both hemispheres. Both participants and TMS technicians wear earplugs to mask subtle sound differences between active and sham coils. This setup maintains participant and operator blinding and controls for placebo-related effects.