qEEG Brain Mapping in St. Louis
A painless, non-invasive look at how your child's brain is actually working — and the starting point for a personalized TMS plan. No radiation, no sedation, no needles.
What is qEEG brain mapping?
A quantitative EEG — qEEG for short — records the small electrical signals your brain produces all day long. Sensors resting on the scalp pick up that activity, and software compares the recording to normative databases of same-age brains.
The output is a brain "map": a visual picture of which regions and which brainwave frequencies (delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma) appear over-active, under-active, or out of sync with one another. For families who have spent years hearing subjective descriptions, it's an objective, measurable picture.
A qEEG is not a diagnostic test for autism, and it does not replace clinical evaluation. It's a planning and measurement tool your provider uses alongside history, observation, and your goals for your child.
Is it safe? Yes — here's why
A qEEG is a passive recording. Nothing is sent into the brain and nothing enters the body.
- No radiation and no injections
- No sedation or anesthesia required
- Non-invasive — sensors sit on the scalp
- No enclosed tube or loud machine
- Nothing is stimulated; we only listen
- Can be paused at any moment
Because it asks nothing of your child beyond relatively still, quiet sitting, a qEEG is often workable for non-verbal children and children who struggle with tests that require instructions or responses.
What the appointment looks like
1. Comfortable setup
A soft sensor cap is fitted and conductive gel is applied. Your child stays seated with you nearby — no needles, no sedation, no confined spaces.
2. Quiet recording
We record brainwave activity for roughly 20–30 minutes, typically with short eyes-open and eyes-closed segments. Nothing is sent into the brain; we only listen.
3. Analysis and mapping
Raw data is cleaned and compared to normative databases, producing a map of which regions and frequency bands look over- or under-active.
4. Personalized planning
Findings inform where TMS is targeted, which frequencies are used, and how a protocol is sequenced — and give us a baseline to compare against later.
How qEEG shapes a personalized TMS protocol for autism
Transcranial magnetic stimulation works by delivering focused magnetic pulses to specific cortical regions. Which region, which frequency, and how many sessions all matter — and a brain map is how we move those decisions away from guesswork.
- Targeting: the map highlights regions whose activity patterns look atypical, guiding where the coil is placed.
- Frequency selection: over-active and under-active bands call for different stimulation approaches.
- Sequencing: findings help prioritize which area to address first across a course of sessions.
- Baseline for comparison: a follow-up map can be compared against the original recording alongside what families observe at home.
- Whole-picture planning: results are reviewed with your clinical history, other therapies such as ABA or speech, and your family's goals.
TMS for autism is considered off-label and is used with physician oversight. Results vary by individual.
qEEG brain mapping questions
What is qEEG brain mapping?+
Quantitative EEG (qEEG) records the brain's natural electrical activity through sensors placed on the scalp, then compares those patterns against normative data. The result is a 'map' showing which regions and brainwave frequencies are over- or under-active.
Is qEEG brain mapping safe?+
Yes. A qEEG is a passive recording — nothing is sent into the brain. There is no radiation, no injections, and no sedation. Sensors simply listen to activity the brain is already producing.
Does it hurt?+
No. Most children describe it as wearing a soft cap. The only sensation is a small amount of cool conductive gel where the sensors sit.
How long does a qEEG take?+
The recording itself usually takes 20–30 minutes, including brief eyes-open and eyes-closed segments. Setup and review add a bit more time to the visit.
Can a non-verbal child complete a qEEG?+
Often, yes. The scan requires no speaking, reading, or task performance — only relatively still, quiet sitting. Our team paces the session around your child and can pause at any time.
How is qEEG used with TMS for autism?+
The map helps identify which cortical regions and frequency bands look atypical, which informs where TMS is targeted, at what frequency, and how a protocol is sequenced. It also gives a baseline to compare against later.
Is qEEG brain mapping a diagnosis for autism?+
No. qEEG is not a diagnostic test for autism. It is a planning and measurement tool used alongside clinical history and evaluation by your provider.
Curious what your child's brain map would show?
Meet privately with our team in Richmond Heights or Chesterfield. We'll talk through EEG brain mapping, treatment options, funding resources, and next steps — no obligation.