FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING THE RESPEN-A™ DISC

***Any changes to supplementation or diet should be discussed with your doctor***

1) WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
There are no side effects with Respen-A™, only benefit. For some children, there may be issues in relation to hyperactivity, calcium absorption, and skin sensitivity. These are addressed as follows:

It is normal for some children, about 1 in 40, to see increased giddiness and hyperactivity within the first three days use of the Respen-A™ Disc as the body clears excess serotonin that it previously couldn't utilize. IF the hyperactivity continues following three full (12 hour) days of wearing the disc, decrease the dose to 1/2 disc and the hyperactivity should resolve. These are the few children whose serotonin is being turned over too quickly into the active aldehyde by the Respen-A™ Disc. Please call or email us first, to troubleshoot, before making this change!

Some parents have reported increased aggressiveness, irritability, and stiffness, which are all an indication of decreased blood calcium levels, or inadequate absorption of the calcium (please see FAQ regarding calcium supplementation for further information!). Some parents have reported that their child is withdrawn or feeling depressed, which is usually due to not eating meat daily, or is a result of taking B6 in the form of Pyridoxine Hydrochloride. To correct this, it is important to eat a serving of meat daily, and to use B6 in the form of Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate (P-5-P) instead of Pyridoxine Hydrochloride.

Some parents have reported a return of symptoms after a period of time of receiving positive changes with the Respen-A™ Disc. This is sometimes a sign of not eating enough gluten, or not having enough inositol if on a gluten-free diet. By incorporating some gluten back into the diet, or increasing the inositol dose/frequency, positive advancements return. Please see answers to other questions on this FAQ page for further information regarding gluten and inositol.

Although the Respen-A™ Disc is considered safe, there is a possible risk of skin irritation or redness at the site that the disc or adhesive bandage is applied (it is our experience that this is visual, not painful, and that the redness resolves on its own, usually within a day or two). To avoid this, it is recommended to rotate application sites as, if applied in the same spot consistently, there could be a breakdown of the skin resulting in actual skin irritation.

The following side effects have been associated with higher doses of Reserpine at doses of 0.1 - 0.5 mg per day (NOT Respen-A™ Disc doses), and are due to the metabolites- or end products- of the Reserpine molecules. Because Respen-A™ is a homeopathic dilution of Reserpine, containing only the frequency of Reserpine and not the metabolites, none of the side effects of Reserpine have been reported by anyone using the Respen-A™ Disc: dizziness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, anorexia, dull sensorium, pseudolactation, impotence, dysuria, decreased libido, uveitis, purpura, rash, nervousness, nightmares, nausea/vomiting, dryness of mouth, nasal congestion, sexual dysfunction, headache, depression, pruritus, chest pain, edema, vivid dreams, anxiety, hyperprolactinemia, black stools, rash, muscle aches, weight gain, and drowsiness. In addition, the following serious reactions have occurred: arrhythmias, syncope, bradycardia, dyspnea, parkinsonian syndrome (rare), extrapyramidal symptoms, paradoxical anxiety, deafness, optic atrophy, and glaucoma.

The above list of adverse reactions is posted as required by law. Respen-A™ is a homeopathic topical disc containing the active ingredient Reserpine in a 12C dilution- not involving the drug itself, but a frequency off the drug taken at greater than one sextillionth of the whole (0.000000000000000000000001). No version of the disc has ever had the drug in it. Homeopathy delivers rapid results with no side effects. There have been studies regarding aggression and anxiety issues due to the metabolites involved with Reserpine, however there are no metabolites in Respen-A™ (no molecule, simply frequency). Aggression and irritability issues with the Respen-A™ Disc are due to low calcium, and that is resolved with oral calcium supplementation.

2) REGARDING THE SCIENTIFIC RATIONALE BEHIND RESPEN-A™, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY MAO-A IS IMPORTANT?
When you begin looking at how MAO-A (Monoamine Oxidase A is an enzyme at the cellular level that helps to maintain neuron firing rates throughout the body) is at the root of so many neurodegenerative diseases as well as aging, you'll see that it can be compared to the roots of a tree. Think of MAO-A as the Tree of Life, and compare this to how the cells function in your body- at the most basic level as the science is far deeper and more intricate. As you go up the tree, with MAO-A being the roots, MAO-A activity is required for the ATP (an energy molecule, or the 'trunk' of the tree) production to run all of the chemical reactions (direct 'branches') in the body. These chemical reactions are Liver Detoxification, Norepinephrine Utilization, Serotonin Utilization, and Histamine2 Production. Each of these chemical reactions stimulate further functions ('twigs') of the body, like Eye Contact, Language Learning, Socialization Motivation, Mood/Sense of Well Being, Gastric Acid, and Digestive Enzymes to name a few. Some twigs are on more than one branch, indicating that more than one branch stimulates those functions.

Histamine2 is at the top of the tree because it is required for SO much in our body! It is involved in all of the higher functions; Gastric Function, Digestive Enzymes, Thyroid Function, Hypothalamus Function, Heat Stress, Oxytocin Utilization, Eye Contact, Language Learning, Circadian Rhythms, and SO much more!

The body can actually have adequate production of MAO-A, but its activity can be inhibited, kind of like having its hands tied- it's there, but it can't do anything.

Things that inhibit MAO-A activity:
(Note that autistic patients are sensitive to all of these)

High Estrogen such as Soy, tea tree oil (this is why soy should be avoided)

EFA supplements

Polyunsaturated Fats

Many, many Herbal Supplements

Stress

Heavy Metals such as aluminum, mercury, cadmium

High copper levels

High phenols

High amounts of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K

Parasites and other Pathogens (interfere with the production of MAO-A)

Lipid peroxidation (this is why the EFA supplements should be avoided)

High levels of alanine (an amino acid- we have far too much alanine and glutamine in our bodies, which is the result of eating too many calories and not having the activity to burn them off. The body stores the excess calories as alanine, and alanine inhibits MAO-A).

NAC

Stress is probably the biggest inhibitor on MAO-A. Everything we put into the body, the body is required to do something with, and this just puts more stress on the body. You may have had a difficult decision in choosing Respen-A™ over fish oil, but ask yourself this- if fish oil is working for your child, why are you looking for something else? Perhaps because fish oil causes lipid peroxidation, which causes MAO-A activity to be inhibited, which then shuts down ATP production, which shuts down the rest of the branches and twigs on the tree, which results in all of the symptoms you are seeing in your autistic child.

Respen-A™ increases the activity of MAO-A, or unties its hands, which allows the entire body to function and be healthy again. The newest research shows that MAO-A is one of the greatest detoxifiers in the liver (toxins, drugs, metals, chemicals). If you get the MAO-A production healthy again by increasing its activity, then the liver can do its job of detoxification. This applies to every branch on the tree, like norepinephrine. Without MAO-A activity, the norepinephrine can't get converted into its active neurotransmitter, which means that norepinephrine can't be utilized. This results in every twig on the norepinephrine branch (Memory & Social Recognition, Fine & Gross Motor Skills, Sensory Integration & Discrimination, Concentration and Focus) reacting in chaos.

Instead of worrying that you still need to fix the twigs by supplementing with vitamins, herbs and medications for individual symptoms, get to the root- or cause- of the issue and let Respen-A™ stimulate the activity of MAO-A to do the job of fixing everything for you.

There are several other factors that can tie the hands of MAO-A: inability to convert L-tryptophan to 5-HTP, not enough gluten consumption to convert serotonin into its active neurotransmitter, poor calcium absorption, and impeding the active docking sites on the MAO-A. Please see further FAQ for answers on these topics.

3) WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE ON THE CHILD TO ADHERE THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
We suggest the Respen-A™ Disc be placed on the child’s torso. Many parents have placed the disc between the shoulder blades so that the child cannot reach it to remove it. If the child has no sensitivity issues, a good place to apply the disc is on the side of the hip, beneath the underwear, which will protect it from rubbing off due to the movement of exterior clothing.

IF your child has sensitivity issues to the tape that the Respen-A™ Disc is adhered with, you might benefit from applying the disc at night, between the shoulder blades, for the first few nights. Parents report that sensitivity issues usually resolve quickly, in approximately 3 - 5 days, and the child can then wear the disc during the day. IF you must apply the disc at night till sensitivity issues resolve, you must still dose the calcium lotion in the morning. PLEASE NOTE: there is no carryover of benefit when not wearing the Respen-A™ Disc, so you'll want to switch your child to daytime use as quickly as possible. To transition to daytime use, continue wearing the disc throughout the day following night time wearing, and remove at bedtime (dose the calcium, as usual, that same morning).

4) DOES THE DOSE NEED TO BE ADJUSTED DEPENDING ON MY CHILD’S WEIGHT?
We have not found that body weight has any bearing on the dosage.

5) WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT THAT MY CHILD SUPPLEMENT CALCIUM DAILY WITH THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
When MAO-A activity is decreased, the mitochondria doesn't work efficiently, and you end up making lactic acid. The lactic acid causes you to pull phosphorous and calcium out of your bones. The phosphorous breaks away from the calcium to neutralize the lactic acid. This leaves you with high amounts of free calcium (as seen in autism and Down Syndrome), which goes into the cells, causing inflammation and cell destruction.

The active ingredient in the Respen-A™ Disc is a homeopathic dilution of Reserpine, which has been shown to significantly decrease the storage capacity of calcium in the cells- it almost abolishes the ability of calcium to go into the cells. Reserpine also stimulates the excretion of calcium in urine, and movement of calcium into the bones. These actions can lower intracellular calcium levels, which is a good thing because that decreases the inflammation and cell destruction caused by too much calcium influx into the cells. However, low calcium levels can cause symptoms of irritability, aggressiveness, numbness and tingling in the hands, feet and face, muscle spasms and stiffness. Therefore, in order to maintain the proper calcium balance in the cells, calcium must be supplemented when using Respen-A™.

Calcium is necessary to get the best effect from the Respen-A™ Disc. Reserpine stimulates the activity of MAO-A (Monoamine Oxidase A), a mitochondrial enzyme. The activity of MAO-A is enhanced with calcium. If your child cannot swallow pills, and you can’t use the liquid calcium option mentioned in FAQ #7, then please consider mixing calcium powder with food, such as yogurt or applesauce, and make sure all of it is eaten. Calcium DOES NOT DISSOLVE and will sink when added to liquids! TUMS is a good option as these can be chewed and come in a variety of flavors. Calcium must be taken daily, in the morning, prior to applying the Respen-A™ Disc. To get the best effect of the Respen-A™ Disc and avoid symptoms of low calcium, wait 60 minutes following calcium before applying the disc. See Patient Instructions for how to apply.

You will need to supplement 2,000 mg of elemental calcium in the form of calcium carbonate, and approximately 500 mg of magnesium oxide orally with breakfast, about 30-60 minutes (parents report best results when waiting 60 minutes) before putting on the Respen-A™ Disc. This needs to be in a 1 to 4 ratio of magnesium to calcium. If 500 mg magnesium is too much, you will have loose stools. If it is too little, you will have constipation. Adjust accordingly.

IF you are using alkalinizing therapies for your child (footbaths, alkaline water, body ecology diet, BioSalt, Figi Water, infrared sauna, lemon water, coconut kefir, etc.), this will likely cause absorption and depletion issues with an oral calcium supplement. In addition to detoxing metals and chemicals, the footbath is also removing minerals, which means calcium. You will see a return of symptoms, or minimal to no benefit from the Respen-A™ Disc if you've just started it. The recommended daily calcium is calcium carbonate, which is alkaline. People who are doing things to alkalinize their body need calcium citrate, not calcium carbonate. Thus, you will need to supplement 2,000 mg of elemental calcium in the form of calcium citrate, and approximately 500 mg of magnesium oxide orally with breakfast, about 30-60 minutes (parents report best results when waiting 60 minutes) before putting on the Respen-A™ Disc. This needs to be in a 1 to 4 ratio of magnesium to calcium. If 500 mg magnesium is too much, you will have loose stools. If it is too little, you will have constipation. Adjust accordingly. The footbath detox continues to alkalinize the body up to 48 hours after the treatment, via urination and sweat. We recommend stopping or limiting alkaline treatments, in order to see the greatest benefit with the Respen-A™ Disc. The newest research shows that MAO-A is one of the greatest detoxifiers in the liver (toxins, drugs, metals, chemicals). If you get the MAO-A production healthy again by increasing its activity, with the use of the Respen-A™ Disc, then the liver can do its job of detoxification. It will also correct the pH balance in the body. IF you continue footbaths, you'll need to supplement additional calcium to avoid calcium depletion! You’ll know when you have supplemented the calcium sufficiently when you begin to see an improvement of symptoms, and no irritability or aggressive behaviors.

Please see FAQ #7 for approved calcium options!

6) WHY DO YOU NOT WANT VITAMIN D INCLUDED WITH THE CALCIUM?
In talking with parents, we have found that high doses of Vitamin D may decrease the effectiveness of the Respen-A™ Disc. Therefore, we suggest taking no more than 400 iu’s of Vitamin D a day, which is the amount that is in most multi-vitamins.

7) HOW DO I CORRECTLY SUPPLEMENT WITH ORAL CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM?
The necessary dose of calcium is 2,000 mg/day. Because we only absorb about 4 - 15% of an oral calcium supplement, your child will need to take enough of the oral supplement to equal 2,000 mg of elemental calcium. This must be taken all at once at breakfast- do not take on an empty stomach as this can cause vomiting. Taking calcium on an empty stomach also greatly reduces its absorption.

Several different kinds of calcium compounds are used in calcium supplements. Each compound contains varying amounts of calcium — referred to as elemental calcium. Elemental calcium is the necessary component considered when replacing the 2000 mg of calcium that is pushed out of your body, each day, when using Respen-A™ Disc. Common calcium supplements may be labeled as:

Calcium carbonate (40% elemental calcium)

Calcium citrate (21% elemental calcium)

Calcium gluconate (9% elemental calcium)

Calcium lactate (13% elemental calcium)

If the label does not reference 'elemental calcium' then use the above percentages to calculate that based on the form of calcium you choose. For example, if a serving size is 1 tablet = 600 mg calcium carbonate, then multiply 600 by 40%, which equals 240. This means that 1 tablet of 600 mg calcium carbonate has 240 mg of elemental calcium in it.

The two main forms of calcium supplements are carbonate and citrate. Calcium carbonate is least expensive and therefore often a good first choice. Other forms of calcium in supplements include gluconate and lactate. As you can see from the above chart, calcium carbonate will be the easiest form to use because of the amount of elemental calcium that each tablet contains. You'd typically be swallowing 8 tablets per day. IF you prefer calcium lactate, you would need to swallow 73.25 tablets EACH DAY!

Be sure that the calcium supplement doesn't contain any vitamin D, as vitamin D greater than 400 iu’s a day will diminish the effectiveness of the Respen-A™ Disc. Vitamin D has no effect on calcium absorption from the gut. That is a fallacy. This was actually proven using identical twins. Each was given 1,200 mg of calcium every day, orally, for two years, but one twin also received 800 iu’s of vitamin D every day. After 2 years there was no difference in their bone density or serum calcium levels.

We suggest a calcium carbonate (alkaline), to start with. Be sure that it isn't coral calcium or oyster shell calcium, as these are not utilized by the body. Some kids do better with calcium citrate (acidic), although this is a minority (about 5%...typically those doing alkalinizing treatments) of those using the Respen-A™ Disc. You will know if calcium absorption and utilization have not been achieved when your child exhibits increased irritability, aggression and/or loose stools (oral calcium can cause diarrhea when not absorbed well) when taking the 2,000 mg of calcium in the form of calcium carbonate. If this happens, you will need to switch to calcium citrate.

An easy form of calcium carbonate to give orally is TUMS. If you get the TUMS Ultra 1,000, you will need to chew 5 with breakfast, as each tablet provides 400 mg of elemental calcium. If you get the regular strength TUMS you will need to chew 10 with breakfast.

A few children have absorption issues and we recommend a liquid calcium carbonate (Roxanne Laboratories). In this case, you will achieve better results by supplementing with crushed magnesium (NOW brand makes a powdered magnesium oxide) that can be added to melted chocolate, poured into a small tart pan, and frozen. Or you can add the powder to applesauce or yogurt.

Wait 30 - 60 minutes after taking the oral calcium (parents report better results when waiting 60 minutes) before applying the Respen-A™ Disc.

It is difficult to find calcium without vitamin D added to it, and D negates the Respen-A™ Disc if your daily intake is greater than 400 iu’s. Here are your choices:

Puritan’s Pride Calcium Carbonate 600 mg. Dose amount: 8 capsules*:
https://www.puritan.com/puritans-pride-brand-0102/calcium-carbonate-600-mg-004223

*We have found that this is available on Amazon at a much higher price. Also, it is occasionally unavailable at both Amazon AND Puritan.com. But check back often as it is back in stock within a reasonable timeframe.

The following, Spring Valley Calcium Carbonate 600 mg, is available online or at Walmart (best price). Dose amount: 8 capsules:
https://www.amazon.com/Spring-Valley-Calcium-Natural-Health/

Roxane Laboratories (Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane Inc.) Liquid Calcium Carbonate oral suspension (not USP), 1250 mg/5mL: this needs to be ordered through a pharmacy (usually a 1 day turnaround), no prescription necessary. The price should be close to $15 USD. It has a spearmint taste. Shake the bottle before dispensing. Dose amount: 4 tsp.

NOW brand powdered calcium carbonate: while this does not have vitamin D added to it, calcium powder is NOT water soluble. Therefore it will NOT dissolve in water or other thin liquids but will sink to the bottom. You might have luck with a thick juice, like guava, or a smoothie, but beware of it settling to the bottom of the glass. You can stir it into applesauce, or spread it on toast sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar (many more ideas come to mind!) but you’ll want to be certain that your child eats every bit so as not to encounter low calcium. Symptoms of low calcium include irritability, muscle and joint stiffness and aching, numbness and tingling in the hands, feet, around the mouth, and face. When calcium is too low the Respen-A™ Disc will not work!

IF the supplement facts label does NOT specify elemental calcium THEN you would need 4 tsp of the powder to equal 1920 mg elemental calcium. We have found some bottles that specify elemental calcium and these might be old photos, so do the math based on what you see written! IF the label does specify elemental calcium, eg; calcium (elemental) 600 mg (from 1,700 mg calcium carbonate), then you know that the serving size (BE SURE TO CHECK SERVING SIZE!) is 600 mg elemental calcium. In this example the serving size is ½ tsp, so 1 ¾ tsp will provide 2000 mg elemental calcium. You are welcome to call or email us if you have questions!

https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Calcium-Carbonate-Powder-12-Ounces/dp/B004421K68/

When supplementing with oral calcium, you will need to also supplement Magnesium in a 1 to 4 ratio of magnesium to calcium, and 500 mg is a recommended starting place. If stools are too loose, then go down to 375 mg, or till the reduced amount resolves the issue. Some kids need 750 mg magnesium to resolve the constipation that the calcium induces.

8) WHAT ARE PARENTS SEEING IN THEIR CHILDREN USING THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
While many people notice a difference immediately, some see gradual changes that keep getting better with time. While in the first month of using the Respen-A™ Disc, many parents are reporting increased concentration, better eye contact, more socialization, less irritability, and decreased anxiety. We have also heard that some children who were unable to speak are now trying to verbally communicate.

9) CAN RESPEN-A™ HELP WITH ALLERGIES?
MAO-A converts histamine into the neurotransmitter, H2 (Histamine2). H2 reduces the amount of histamine conversion into H1, which is the allergy histamine. You should see a reduction in allergies with the use of Respen-A™ because of this.

10) DOES IT MATTER IF I PUT THE RESPEN-A™ DISC ON BEFORE MY CHILD TAKES THE CALCIUM SUPPLEMENT?
Most parents report better results if you wait 1 hour following oral calcium before applying the disc. It takes time for calcium to absorb in the body. If you put the Respen-A™ Disc on too soon then you’ll set yourself up for a situation that we refer to as “chasing the calcium” where more calcium is being depleted than replaced and you will experience symptoms of low calcium, which means the Respen-A™ Disc will become non-viable.

11) IF THE DOSE OF THE RESPEN-A™ IS REDUCED TO A HALF DISC, SHOULD THE CALCIUM BE DECREASED?
The calcium requirements are the same whether a full disc or a half disc is used.

12) WHY DO YOU SUGGEST NOT TAKING SUPPLEMENTS WHEN USING THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
We have found that those who don’t take any supplements other than the calcium and magnesium, and 5-HTP and/or inositol if you don’t eat meat or are on a gluten free diet, do the best on the Respen-A™.

There are many supplements that inhibit MAO-A, and many that have not been tested for such inhibition- like herbs. As for homeopathic products, homeopathic frequencies are like music notes; some notes can be put together, such as in a chord, and it enriches their sound, but one wrong note in a chord ruins the sound- which means it will negate the Respen-A™. The only way to determine whether or not something enhances or inhibits the effects of the Respen-A™ is by stopping all other supplements. Then, see how you respond to the Respen-A™ and get to baseline on it. If you want to add back one of the supplements after a month or so on just the Respen-A™, add one at a time and monitor it for two weeks to see if it helps or negates it. If it doesn't negate the Respen-A™, and you see no added benefit, you probably don't need it.

Supplements give us such high amounts of nutrients that it is easy to get too much. If the volume is too high, we can reach toxic levels- even too much water can give you water toxicity! It is best to pull the nutrients we need out of the foods we eat. As long as we are eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of whole and organic foods, our body will pull out exactly what it needs in terms of vitamins, and flush out the rest. This is the same for gluten.

13) WHAT IS KNOWN TO NEGATE THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
The following supplements will decrease the effectiveness of or negate the Respen-A™ Disc because they inhibit MAO-A:

EFA’s (Flaxseed oil, borage oil, primrose oil, fish oil, cod liver oil, krill oil). From our observation and experience, the diet should not be supplemented with EFA’s, whether in oil form or supplement form, as these are polyunsaturated to super-unsaturated fats that can potentially decrease the effectiveness of the Respen-A™ Disc. It is important to get some Omega-3 unsaturated fat in the diet, and this can be accomplished by eating some fish each week.

Curcumin, Turmeric
Papain
Licorice Root (Anise): often in digestive enzyme supplements
Quercetin
GABA
L-Glutamine
L-Carnitine
L-Carnosine
L-glutamate
Methylene Blue
Tyrosine
Luteolin
Rhodiola
Harmine
Lemon Balm
Milk Thistle
Ashwaganda
Cat’s Claw
Goldenseal
Kalonji
Black Seed Oil
NAC
Vitamin D3 in excess of 400 IU’s a day
Any antioxidants, such as Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA is already really high in these kids!)
Anything high in polyphenols such as cistus tea, olive oil high in polyphenols (usually very expensive)

*link to known plants that inhibit MAO-A: https://www.botanical-online.com/en/natural-medicine/depression-natural-mao-inhibitors

We have found that those taking no supplements, other than the calcium/magnesium, the FOS if needed, and inositol- if on a gluten restricted diet-, or 5-HTP if not eating meat, see the best improvements.

The following antidepressants inhibit MAO-A: nortriptyline, amitriptyline, imipramine, maprotiline, zimeldine, nomifensine, and viloxazine.

The following drugs are known to increase MAO-B. MAO-A and MAO-B should be in balance. When MAO-B is high you will have symptoms of autism, anxiety, depression, ADD, ADHD, Bipolar, OCD and more. Therefore, keep your eye on symptoms. When the amount of drug used is higher, then MAO-B becomes higher making the Respen-A™ Disc non-viable: Baclofen, Gabapentin

ALCOHOL USAGE AND NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICATION: Alcohol and narcotic pain medication can greatly decrease the effectiveness of the Respen-A™ Disc, and therefore should be avoided when using the Respen-A™ Disc.

IONIC FOOT BATHS: while they do not negate the Respen-A™ Disc directly, an indirect result is that they pull minerals, as well as toxins, from the body, therefore greatly reducing your body's calcium supply. Calcium is essential for the Respen-A™ Disc to work. Please be aware of this when you use the ionic foot bath, as you'll need to keep your calcium level sufficient to have the Respen-A™ Disc be effective! Signs of low calcium are irritability, aggressiveness, numbness and tingling in the hands, feet and face, muscle spasms and stiffness. Some parents who have been doing ionic foot baths to detoxify their child have reported increased urination. We suspect that this is due to the foot bath significantly pulling out sodium. Consider stopping the foot baths, or at least decrease their frequency, when using Respen-A™. MAO-A, which the Respen-A™ Disc activates, is the strongest detoxifier of the liver. A child who had auto-immune hepatitis resolved it with 6 months use of the Respen-A™ Disc.

IF you are using alkalinizing therapies for your child (footbaths, alkaline water, body ecology diet, BioSalt, Figi Water, infrared sauna, lemon water, coconut kefir, etc.), this will likely cause absorption and depletion issues with an oral calcium supplement AND the topical calcium skin cream. In addition to detoxing metals and chemicals, the footbath is also removing minerals, which means calcium. You will see a return of symptoms, or minimal to no benefit from the Respen-A™ Disc if you've just started it. The calcium skin cream has calcium carbonate, which is alkaline. People who are doing things to alkalinize their body need calcium citrate, not calcium carbonate. Thus, you will need to supplement 2,000 mg of elemental calcium in the form of calcium citrate, and approximately 500 mg of magnesium oxide orally with breakfast, about 30-60 minutes (parents report best results when waiting 60 minutes) before putting on the Respen-A™ Disc, and not use the calcium skin cream. This needs to be in a 1 to 4 ratio of magnesium to calcium. If 500 mg magnesium is too much, you will have loose stools. If it is too little, you will have constipation. Adjust accordingly. The footbath detox continues to alkalinize the body up to 48 hours after the treatment, via urination and sweat. We recommend stopping or limiting alkaline treatments, especially if you'd like to avoid gut and supplement swallowing issues, in order to use the calcium skin cream and to see the greatest benefit with the Respen-A™ Disc. The newest research shows that MAO-A is one of the greatest detoxifiers in the liver (toxins, drugs, metals, chemicals). If you get the MAO-A production healthy again by increasing its activity, with the use of the Respen-A™ Disc, then the liver can do its job of detoxification. It will also correct the pH balance in the body. IF you continue footbaths, you'll need to supplement additional calcium to avoid calcium depletion! You’ll know when you have supplemented the calcium sufficiently when you begin to see an improvement of symptoms, and no irritability or aggressive behaviors.

NOTE: please discuss with your physician before making changes to your supplement program.

14) WHY DO YOU SUGGEST NOT TO TAKE DOSES OF 50 mg, OR HIGHER, OF VITAMIN B6 IN THE FORM OF PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE? BUT, PYRIDOXAL 5-PHOSPHATE IS OKAY?
After gathering data from patients using the Respen-A™ Disc, we have found that some patients taking vitamin B6 in the form of pyridoxine hydrochloride, in doses of 50 mg or greater, have seen a loss of some of their improvements from the Respen-A™ Disc. Most have seen decreased speech and attentiveness. Some have become withdrawn and weepy (as a genetic result, approximately 3 in 1000). Upon stopping the pyridoxine hydrochloride supplementation, the improvements previously seen with the Respen-A™ Disc were regained. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is the common form of vitamin B6 in most multivitamin supplements, but the dosage is usually less than 50 mg, and this has not been reported as causing a problem. The more active form of vitamin B6, pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P-5-P), has not been shown to interfere with the Respen-A™ Disc.

If you or your child is sensitive to phenols, then they should not take P-5-P as it inhibits the enzyme, phenol-sulfur transferase, which is needed to metabolize phenols. High phenols inhibit MAO-A.

15) WHY DO YOU SUGGEST NOT TAKING SUPPLEMENTS OF L-GLUTAMINE, TYROSINE OR GABA?
Glutamine and alanine are the most abundant amino acids generally in the body, and both are associated with the MAO-B pathway. MAO-B is the counterbalance to MAO-A, and can decrease the activity of MAO-A. Glutamine and GABA may possibly increase MAO-B activity, therefore decreasing MAO-A activity. This action counteracts the Respen-A™ Disc's action of trying to boost MAO-A. Tyrosine shouldn’t be supplemented because it feeds the dopamine, which is too high in autism.

16) WHY DO YOU SUGGEST THAT CHILDREN NOT BE ON THE ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS IN THE OIL FORM, OR EFA SUPPLEMENTS WHEN USING THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
From our observation and experience, the diet should not be supplemented with EFA supplements such as Flaxseed oil, Primrose oil, Borage oil, Fish oils and Omega-3 when using the Respen-A™ Disc. We have found that these oils are polyunsaturated to super-unsaturated fats, and they can potentially decrease the effectiveness of the Respen-A™ Disc. A possible explanation for this phenomenon is that the body works in ratios as a means of checks and balances. Some of the ratios in the body are sodium to potassium, calcium to magnesium, copper to zinc, and even polyunsaturated fats to saturated fats.

Polyunsaturated fats contain double bonds, which is what allows them to maintain their liquid state when refrigerated. Polyunsaturated fats are structural components in the cell membrane that keep the cell membrane fluid and flexible. The cell membrane has an inner and outer membrane. Protein channels must be lined up between these membranes to allow the cell to import and export things. If the cell membrane is too fluid, these protein channels will not be lined up, and the cell will not be able to import and export efficiently. The cell membrane also has saturated fats within it, which are straight chains with single bonds- that act like ties or rebar- to help maintain the structural position of the protein channels within the cell membrane.

The body tries to keep the polyunsaturated fats and saturated fats in a specific ratio. The body has no control over what we feed it, so if we ingest a large concentration of polyunsaturated fats, such as what is in the EFA supplements, the body will burn the excess polyunsaturated fats, while trying to bring them back into balance with the saturated fats. Polyunsaturated fats with double bonds create lipid peroxides when they are broken down (metabolized) in the body. Lipid peroxides are neurotoxic, and they inhibit monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A), which is the enzyme we are trying to boost with the Reserpine frequency in the Respen-A™ Disc.

The best way to get a balance of saturated and polyunsaturated fats is to eat whole foods, such as meat, fish, and nuts, as these contain both polyunsaturated fats and saturated fats in a ratio that is more balanced for our body. It is important to get some omega-3 unsaturated fat in the diet, and this can be accomplished by eating some fish each week. Olive oil is fine as it is a monounsaturated fat.

IF the child has been on these oils for several months or more, it may take up to three weeks for the effects of the oils to be cleared. We recommend waiting three weeks following stopping these oils before using the Respen-A™ Disc.

17) CAN RESPEN-A™ HELP WITH GUT ISSUES?
Yes! Respen-A™ converts histamine to histamine2. Histamine2 stimulates the production of gastric acid and digestive enzymes, and corrects the pH of the stomach and intestines.

18) ARE EPSOM SALT BATHS O.K. WHEN USING THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
You'll get a lot of magnesium using the Epsom salt baths, so if you have issues with loose stool, you'll need to decrease the amount of magnesium you are supplementing. If you are using the calcium lotion, which has magnesium in it, you won't be able to alter that intake. Just keep an eye on the bowel movements.

19) IS THIS A CURE OR WILL MY CHILD ALWAYS NEED TO USE THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
Respen-A™ is not a cure. The disc has no active molecules in it that go into the body and have any half life. It is just a frequency. When you remove it, the frequency is gone and it has no carry over effect.

20) DOES THE RESPEN-A™ DISC REQUIRE A SPECIFIC DIET?
A vegetarian diet is not recommended when using the Respen-A™ Disc. It is necessary to eat a serving of meat every day when using the Respen-A™ Disc, as meat is the primary source of L-tryptophan in the diet, which is needed to produce serotonin. If a person doesn’t get enough L-tryptophan in their diet, they can become depressed when using Respen-A™.

If the child cannot handle meat in their diet, we suggest that they take 5-HTP, which is the supplement of choice. However, 100-150 mg will need to be given 3-4 times a day as it does not store in the body longer than 4 hours. If this is not feasible for your child, you can supplement with 500 mg L-Tryptophan daily, one time a day, as it does store in the body. However, some children have trouble converting L-Tryptophan to 5-HTP, so if you see no benefit, stop the L-Tryptophan and switch back to the 5-HTP. Some children who eat plenty of meat have this same conversion problem and will also need to supplement with 5-HTP!

Some children on a gluten-free diet have seen a return of symptoms after having seen good improvements on the Respen-A™ Disc, and some children on a gluten-free diet have seen no results, or even a worsening of their symptoms, when starting the Respen-A™ Disc. One parent noticed that if her child had a small amount of gluten, the symptoms resolved. A few more parents reported the same findings after adding some gluten back into their child’s diet.

Researching the scientific rationale for this, it was discovered that L-Tryptophan produces 5-HTP, and 5-HTP increases the production of serotonin. This newly synthesized serotonin is put into storage vesicles in the cells. The stored serotonin then needs to be released into the synapse (the junction between nerves), so that the Respen-A™ Disc can stimulate its conversion into the active aldehyde (active neurotransmitter). Research shows that gluten will stimulate the release of serotonin from the storage vesicles. Without Respen-A™, MAO-A activity is decreased, which is what causes the buildup of serotonin in the nerve synapses, which results in other systems shutting down. When you start Respen-A™, you have the ability to immediately turn the stored serotonin over into its active neurotransmitter so the body can utilize it, however you need gluten to release it from the storage vesicles into the nerve synapse.

If your child is on a gluten-free diet due to food intolerances, these should be resolved when using the Respen-A™ Disc. However, there is no carryover, so if you have to stop the Respen-A™ Disc, PLEASE be aware of this as you will need to return to your previous gluten restriction.

If your child is on a gluten-free diet due to allergies, you will need to supplement with inositol to release the serotonin from the storage vesicles, so that the Respen-A™ Disc can stimulate its conversion into the active aldehyde. In most cases, 500 mg to 700 mg daily of inositol supplementation has been adequate in the release of serotonin to keep up with the turnover stimulated by the Respen-A™ Disc.

Inositol is available as a powder or capsule from various manufactures. It is virtually tasteless, and dissolves well in water. Early reports show that once a day dosing has been adequate, but depending on the child, you may find that dividing the dose up into three servings a day may be beneficial. The inositol has a long acting effect in stimulating the release of serotonin and norepinephrine. Inositol is the active form of glucose in the brain, so it also helps with brain fog and learning. Physical activity turns the mitochondria on, and the mitochondria stimulates the production of myo-inositol (inositol). HINT: if you want your child to learn faster, to retain the information that they learn better, to get higher grades, make sure they get physical activity throughout the day!

HOWEVER, the body likes variability. If you supplement with too much inositol, you will desensitize the receptors, therefore shutting the mitochondria down. The half life of inositol is 5.22 hours. If you do not have a gluten allergy, it is best to just not restrict the gluten...you will see the most benefit this way per parents' experience.

If you have not previously been on the Respen-A™ Disc, it is recommended not to begin the Inositol (500 - 700 mg/day) until after the Respen-A™ Disc has been used for 5 - 7 days. The reason for this is that we need to decrease the stored up serotonin that previously could not be utilized by the body (with the Respen-A™ Disc) BEFORE giving Inositol, otherwise the child’s serotonin will actually become too high, and symptoms of autism will arise.

Begin the Inositol prior to this 5-7 day period ONLY IF the child exhibits an increase in autism symptoms. These symptoms will let you know that the stored serotonin has been depleted, and that the inositol is now needed to stimulate the release of more. When the serotonin is stimulated, it is released into its nerve synapses. Then, the MAO-A (activated by the Respen-A™) converts it into its active neurotransmitter. At this point the body can utilize it.

The inositol should be given at least 15 minutes after applying the Respen-A™ Disc, not before. The Respen-A™ Disc should be worn for 2-3 hours after taking inositol.

21) IS HUPERZINE O.K. TO USE WITH THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
Huperzine-a, is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and a NMDA inhibitor. We are not fans of inhibitors as they can have many side effects. They often seem to work in the beginning, then lose their effectiveness. The body will override an inhibitor by simply increasing receptor density, as in the case of NMDA. As for the enzyme inhibition on the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, Parkinsonism symptoms can result from this.

22) HOW CAN I TROUBLESHOOT THE L-TRYPTOPHAN/5-HTP/SEROTONIN PRODUCTION AND RELEASE BALANCE MYSELF?
If the core symptoms return, and the child eats gluten, then it may be a problem with production of serotonin- the child isn't producing enough serotonin to keep up with the turnover. It may be that your child isn’t converting the L-tryptophan (in the meat he/she eats) into 5-HTP (the 5-HTP is then converted into serotonin). To determine whether the return of symptoms is a case of needing more inositol (if on a gluten free diet), or a problem with converting L-tryptophan to 5-HTP, you will need to test the following:

1. If your child does well in the morning after taking inositol, but is exhibiting more symptoms in the afternoon, then try giving your child a second dose of inositol in the afternoon. Be sure to keep the Respen-A™ Disc on for 2-3 hours after giving the second dose of inositol!

2. If the increase in inositol doesn’t resolve the symptoms, or if the core symptoms return even after supplementing with inositol, then it tells us there is a problem with production- it may be that your child isn’t easily converting L-tryptophan from the meat he/she is eating into 5-HTP, and they'll need to supplement with 5-HTP. To test this, try supplementing 5-HTP, 100 mg 3-4 times a day, and see if the symptoms improve.

Some children have trouble producing 5-HTP because of either not eating enough meat, or having trouble converting the L-tryptophan in the meat to 5-HTP. A child then needs to build up the serotonin with the 5-HTP at 100 mg 4 times per day, for about 3 days. Then, if you are restricting gluten, start inositol after 3 days, which will have allowed the serotonin to be built back up/stored. You will continue using 5-HTP!

Ultimately, we are trying to achieve a balance in the amount of serotonin that is produced and utilized.

Think of it as an equation: A + B + C = D

:A equals the amount of L-tryptophan/5-HTP to make the serotonin
:B equals the amount of inositol (or gluten) needed to release the serotonin into the nerve junctions
:C equals the amount of Respen-A™ needed to activate the MAO-A, which turns over the serotonin into the active aldehyde
:D is the active aldehyde

You have to eat enough meat to get the L-tryptophan to produce enough serotonin to keep up with the turnover of serotonin caused by the Respen-A™. And, you have to eat enough gluten to release the serotonin into the nerve synapse to keep up with the turnover. You've got to have a balance of serotonin production, serotonin release, and serotonin turnover. Otherwise you'll end up with a buildup of serotonin, which shuts systems down, or a depletion of serotonin, which creates the same symptoms. It's much easier to balance this it if you don't restrict gluten. Just let your child have whatever in their diet, in moderation, and the body will handle this balancing act. This is a lot simpler than counting crackers/pretzels and making sure they are getting gluten every two hours. You are just better off to let the body do its own regulation of the balancing system- it will let you know what it needs with cravings.

It takes a little bit of trial and error to get the equation balanced for each child, so please be in contact with us if you see a return of symptoms, or no improvement, and we will help you to determine what is missing.

23) I WAS AWAY FOR A FEW DAYS, AND FOUND THAT MY HUSBAND NEGLECTED TO PUT THE DISC ON OUR SON FOR 2 DAYS. THEREFORE, MY SON WAS HAVING RAGES, AND HIS OCD IS SUPER BAD! CAN I START PUTTING THE DISC BACK ON TODAY AND HOPE THAT THINGS WILL SETTLE DOWN?
Yes, this is normal, especially in the beginning. Remember, the disc has no active molecules in it. There is nothing that goes into the body, or has any half life. It is just a frequency. So when you remove it, the frequency is gone, and it has no carry over effect. Just resume the wearing schedule, and the improvements should return.

24) MY CHILD IS ON A GLUTEN-FREE DIET. DO WE STILL NEED TO BE GLUTEN-FREE WHEN USING THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
Gluten stimulates the release of serotonin into the nerve synapse. A child with autism has trouble converting the serotonin in the nerve synapse into its active neurotransmitter, because the MAO-A activity is deficient. This causes the serotonin to build up in the nerve synapse, triggering a shutdown and negative feedback on other systems, such as the Oxytocin system. Prior to Respen-A™, if a child with autism ate gluten it would just cause more serotonin to build up. With the Respen-A™ disc, the child is able to convert the serotonin- therefore avoiding a build up of serotonin- which means that gluten is now tolerated.

If you would like additional information on phenols see the PST FAQ page. Also, see link below.
https://tacanow.org/family-resources/phenols-salicylates-additives/

25) PHENOLS AND RESPEN-A™?
Research shows that 80% of people with ASD are sensitive to phenols due to a deficiency in the phenol-sulfur transferase enzyme. This results in the buildup of phenols in the body. High phenols inhibit MAO-A and negate the effects of the Respen-A™. Phenols are high in many fruits, vegetables and multigrain/whole grain foods as they are the antioxidants in plant products. If your child doesn’t see any improvement when using the Respen-A™, it may be that he/she has a deficiency in the phenol-sulfur transferase enzyme and may benefit by using the PST Disc. You may also benefit with supplementing No-Fenol Enzymes, by Houston Enzymes, at meals and avoiding foods high in phenols.

If you would like additional information on phenols see the PST FAQ page. Also, see link below.

https://tacanow.org/family-resources/phenols-salicylates-additives/

26) HOW LONG IS THE SHELF LIFE OF THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
Each Respen-A™ Disc has a shelf life of two years when stored in its original packaging. Therefore, we can ship a 12-month supply of the Respen-A™ Discs to decrease the cost of shipping, if you desire.

We realize that the ZipSeal of the packaging might fail when opened daily for thirty days, and recommend being gentle when pulling the ZipSeal apart. If the ZipSeal fails, fold the top of the package over a couple of times, and use a bag clip on the corner. DO NOT STORE THE RESPEN-A™ DISCS IN ANY OTHER TYPE OF PACKAGING! The ZipSeal packaging is occlusive, meaning it will keep light and air out.

Once the Respen-A™ Disc has been activated on the skin, it is active for 20-24 hours. This is why we suggest that you put a disc on the child in the morning, and remove it when they go to bed at night. The adhesive tape included with the Respen-A™ is waterproof, so your child can swim or shower while wearing the Respen-A™ Disc.

27) OUR SON HAS BEEN ON RESPEN-A™ FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS. WE ARE SEEING IMPROVED MOOD AND CONVERSATIONAL SKILLS. DOES RESPEN-A™ TYPICALLY HELP WITH NOISY STIMMING BEHAVIORS? I THINK HIS STIMMING MIGHT BE DUE TO TOXINS (WE ARE ACTIVELY KILLING PATHOGENS). DOES IT HELP REDUCE PATHOGENS AND CLEAR TOXINS?
The newest research shows that MAO-A is one of the greatest detoxifiers in the liver (toxins, drugs, metals, chemicals). If you get the MAO-A production healthy again by increasing its activity with the use of the Respen-A™ Disc, then the liver can do its job of detoxification. Respen-A™ does not help reduce pathogens. Improvements with the Respen-A™ Disc build on each other, so give it time, and the stimming may decrease.

28) CAN I USE OTHER ADHESIVES TO SECURE THE RESPEN-A™ DISC TO THE SKIN?
The tape that comes with the disc is occlusive (keeps all air out) and waterproof- both of which are necessary to keep the disc viable. Therefore, DO NOT use any other tape (or Band-Aids) to seal the disc to the skin.

Some people have skin that does not do well with adhesives, and in these cases the tape doesn't stick well. We recommend the following skin-prep protective to help the tape stay secure:

https://www.amazon.com/Smith-Nephew-Skin-Prep-Protective%20Dressing/dp/B002ZUHLW8/

To use the Skin Prep Protective Dressing, put the Respen-A™ Disc on the skin and wipe around it with the Prep, being careful not to let any of the moisture reach the disc, as moisture will destroy the viability of the disc. When dry, apply the tape that comes with the Respen-A™ Disc to seal the disc to the skin.

Some parents have mentioned that there is redness on the skin where the tape holds the Disc down. It is our experience that this is visual, not painful, and that the redness resolves on its own, usually within a day or two. If your child is saying or indicating that the tape itches, and there is clearly a long-lasting sensitivity issue, here is a reference for some sensitive skin tape that you can use ONLY to apply the Respen-A™ Disc with (see further information below*):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HA77HLQ/

*To use the sensitive skin tape, use it to secure the Respen-A™ Disc to the skin, but because it is not occlusive (doesn’t keep the air out...air will cause the Respen-A™ Disc to be unviable) or waterproof, you must cover the sensitive skin tape with the adhesive tape that came with the Respen-A™ Disc! You should be able to cover the disc completely and not worry about overlapping the sensitive tape- one is wider than the other, so you should be able to avoid skin contact. HOWEVER, you'll need to keep an eye on the tape when your child bathes or swims as water can get underneath the sensitive skin tape- and water will destroy the viability of the Respen-A™ Disc.

If your child will be swimming or bathing, and you don't want to risk destroying the Respen-A™ Disc should water get through, you can remove the disc and store it in the airtight, silver ZipSeal bag that the disc came in, and re-apply when you child is finished. The disc is good for one day of use.

If your child is going to be swimming and you would like to leave the Respen-A™ Disc on, we recommend trying Nexcare Waterproof Tape (also available at Wal-Mart). Completely cover the adhesive- that came with the Respen-A™ Disc- and gently remove when finished swimming:

https://www.amazon.com/Nexcare-051131667754-Absolute-Waterproof-Tape/dp/B00A0P89MG/

29) WHAT IF MY CHILD’S SYMPTOMS RETURN WHILE ON THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
Some children on a gluten free diet have seen a return of symptoms after seeing good improvement on the Respen-A™ Disc, and some children have seen no results, or even a worsening of their symptoms, when starting the Respen-A™ Disc. We thought that this was due to a depletion of their serotonin by the Respen-A™, so we recommended that they take 5-HTP or L-Tryptophan to replenish the serotonin. Several of the parents reported that this made no difference, but one parent noticed that if her child had a small amount of gluten, the symptoms resolved. A few more parents have reported the same findings after incorporating some gluten back into their child’s diet. Researching the scientific rationale for this, it was discovered that L-Tryptophan produces 5-HTP, and the 5-HTP increases the production of serotonin. This newly synthesized serotonin is put into storage vesicles in the cells. The serotonin then needs to be released from these storage vesicles, into the synapse- the junction between nerves. Research shows that gluten (and inositol 500 - 700 mg once per day, 15 minutes after applying the Respen- A™ Disc) will stimulate the release of serotonin from the storage vesicles. The Respen-A™ Disc activates MAO-A, which then stimulates the turnover/conversion of the serotonin in the synapse into the active aldehyde (active neurotransmitter) so the body can utilize it.

30) WHAT IF MY CHILD’S IMPROVEMENTS ON THE RESPEN-A™ DISC HAVE REACHED A PLATEAU?
If you feel that your child’s improvements have reached a plateau, or that there seems to be some hurdle they just can’t get over, it may be a coexisting condition called Pyroluria. Pyroluria is common in autism, ADD, ADHD and depression. Pyroluria is the result of a buildup of the waste products, called kryptopyrroles, from the production of hemoglobin. The symptoms of Pyroluria are very similar to many of the symptoms associated with autism. The treatment for Pyroluria is supplementation of zinc (30 - 35 mg per day…more causes headaches), vitamin B6 (up to 50 mg per day) - in the form of pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P-5-P), and eating foods high in arachidonic acid, which are eggs, butter, red meat and liver. If your child won’t eat these foods, you can buy a supplement of arachidonic acid from Molecular Nutrition called X Factor. It is available in 250 mg soft gel caps at:

https://www.molecularnutrition.com/search?type=product&q=x+factor

A website to learn more about Pyroluria is www.primalbody-primalmind.com/do-you-have-pyroluria/

31) NOW THAT MY CHILD IS THRIVING ON RESPEN-A™ , HOW ELSE CAN I SUPPORT HIS RECOVERY?
Developmental Milestones can bring your child up to their chronological age. Developmental Milestones are a set of functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain age range. Your pediatrician uses milestones to help check how your child is developing. Although each milestone has an age level, the actual age when a normally developing child reaches that milestone can vary quite a bit. Every child is unique! At least, this is what the general rule is, which is why a diagnosis of autism can be difficult for a pediatrician to acknowledge.

Once your child is free from the trap of autism because of Respen-A™, it is important to know that children cannot skip developmental milestones- every human being must experience them! When your child became trapped in autism, he/she stopped experiencing these milestones, and they need to be revisited. This will bring him/her up to chronological age responses and behavior quickly, in a profound way.

Child development refers to how a child becomes able to do more complex things as they get older. Development is different than growth. Growth only refers to the child getting bigger in size. When we talk about normal development, we are talking about developing skills like:

(Notice, ALL of the following are ‘twigs' on the branches of the MAO-A Tree of Life)

Gross motor skills: using large groups of muscles to sit, stand, walk, run, etc., keeping balance and changing positions

Fine motor skills: using hands to be able to eat, draw, dress, play, write, and do many other things

Language skills: speaking, using body language and gestures, communicating, and understanding what others say

Cognitive skills: thinking skills including learning, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning, and remembering

Social skills: interacting with others, having relationships with family, friends, and teachers, cooperating and responding to the feelings of others

With autism, clearly there is a disconnect, and some missing pieces. Think of childhood like putting together a puzzle in the brain. The pieces prior to autism are in place, and more begin to be laid when your child is set free from the trap, but not quickly, and most are missing from the developmental milestone years (age 0 - 5 years). Parents often comment, "he's doing better in all of these areas, but he still behaves like a six year old in many ways!"

Put it to the test. Ask your child to crawl. Does he/she do it correctly? The right hand should move forward at the same time as the left knee, then left hand with right knee. You will likely see a right hand with right knee, then left hand with left knee approach- which is wrong. Why does this matter? Milestones lay the foundation for the brain to function correctly. Chaos disappears with use of the Respen-A™, but then you'll need to prepare an environment for life and learning by putting the missing puzzle pieces into place, in the brain, and this can only happen by doing the developmental milestones. These will set your child up for success, both now and in the future.

For general ranges on what developmental milestones are often expected at various ages, check out the guides by following the link below. However, not knowing where your child stopped experiencing them, we suggest beginning with age 0 - 3 months when you revisit them, and work up from there. Then, think outside the box to turn these milestones into a game that your child will be acquiescent to 'play'. Following are some examples:

Thumb sucking : blindfold your child, then dip their thumb into one of three smooth substances, eg; melted chocolate, melted marshmallow, peanut butter. They must put their entire thumb in their mouth and suck it clean (no licking allowed) before guessing what the substance is.

Reaching and grasping: have your child lay on their back. Stand over them and swing a pencil or pen- that has been tied to a string- back and forth, just within reach, and challenge them to reach and grasp hold of it.

Turning eyes from bright light: take your child into a small room with no windows. Turn the lights out. Turn on a flashlight that you have aimed straight into their eyes. If they don't look away instantly but instead squint at you, teach them the correct response and explain why. Then, repeat the process several times till you are certain they've learned.

You won't need to revisit all of the milestones- at some point while working through them your child's body and brain will naturally take over, but you do need to get the process started. Here's to your success!

Developmental Milestones: https://www.mottchildren.org/posts/your-child/developmental-milestones

32) WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT YOU WANT ME TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS FAQ LIST?
We are seeing, anecdotally, and from experience with thousands in the MS community and now in the autism community, that it is a rocky road for those who supplement and/or restrict their diet while striving to improve their health. When you reach a plateau where you find that what you've been doing can take you no farther, you hear about Respen-A™. If what you are doing is working, you wouldn't be looking for more and better. It is worth stopping the other therapies for 1 month (or to baseline on the Respen-A™ as some children will have issues with L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, docking sites, etc., which may require more time) to try Respen-A™ by itself, to see if the difference is worth it. Don't restrict anything- eat everything.

It is best to pull the nutrients we need out of the foods we eat. As long as we are eating a balanced diet, and getting plenty of whole and organic foods, our body will pull out exactly what it needs in terms of vitamins and nutrients, and flush out the rest. This is the same for gluten. Then, see how you respond to the Respen-A™ and get to baseline on it. You can always try adding things back in, one at a time, once at baseline on just the Respen-A™. Monitor each item for two weeks to see if it helps or negates the Respen-A™. If it doesn't negate the Respen-A™, and you see no added benefit, you probably don't need it. We have found that those who don’t take any supplements other than the calcium skin cream that we provide with the Respen-A™ Disc, and 5-HTP and/or inositol if you don’t eat meat or are on a gluten free diet, do the best on the Respen-A™ Disc.

33) HOW CAN I RECEIVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE RESPEN-A™ DISC?
The Respen-A™ website is loaded with answers, video and written testimonials, and click-throughs to even more information, such as:

…we have a blog that discusses many topics, not only regarding Respen-A™, but other Autism treatments and how they interact with the Respen-A™ Disc:

https://respena.wordpress.com/

…if you have any troubleshooting questions about Respen-A™, or any testimonials you would like to share regarding your results of using the Respen-A™ Disc, please call us at 425-870-9366, or message us on the Respen-A™ Facebook page, link shown below. We would love to speak with you!

https://www.facebook.com/Respenaforautism/

34) WHAT IS RESPEN-A™?
Respen-A™ is a 12C homeopathic dilution of Reserpine. Reserpine has been shown to double the activity of the monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) enzyme.

(ViJayalakshmi V., Lele J.V., & Daginawala H.F. 1978. Effect of Reserpine on the monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in rat liver and brain. Biochemical Pharmacology, 27(15), pp. 1985-1986).

35) HOW DOES RESPEN-A™ WORK?
Studies show that patients with autism have lower or decreased MAO-A activity. This deficiency can result in symptoms associated with autism.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28151561

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29748850

36) IS RESPEN-A™ A NEW DRUG?
Reserpine has been used in autistic patients as far back as 1957.

(Lehman E., Haber J., & Lesser S., July-Sept 1957, The use of Reserpine in autistic children. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 125(3), pp. 351-356).

37) WHAT IS A HOMEOPATHIC DRUG?
Homeopathic drugs use minimal, or smaller, amounts of natural substances (i.e., chemicals that are present in the human body or exist in nature) to stimulate the body’s own healing reactions. If larger amounts of the same substances are administered, they can cause adverse events.

Every molecule has a unique structure, and therefore, every molecule has a unique vibration because of the way light and sound bounce off of the structure. Recent research has determined that these vibrations are actually photons that can be imprinted into a water molecule- similar to a camera bouncing light off an object and imprinting the image onto a negative.

http://www.oapublishinglondon.com/article/1176

Molecules don’t like to exist singularly, though. They congregate with like molecules, and therefore, in order to get the pure vibration (the vibration off of the structure of just one molecule), you must perform serial dilutions with vigorous shaking. These homeopathic vibrations have been scientifically quantified to produce physiological effects.

38) WHAT SCIENTIFIC STUDIES SUPPORT THE USE OF RESPEN-A™?
The Respen-A™ 12C homeopathic topical disc has been shown, in an open label clinical study conducted by Dr. Anju Usman, to have a statistically significant effect (p < 0.001) in lessening the core symptoms associated with autism. The evaluation methods utilized were the ATEC and CARS. The former is an evaluation performed by the parent, and the latter is an evaluation performed by a licensed healthcare provider. Respen-A™ had to have a very strong effect- in order to show a statistically significant effect- because of the following:

the small size of the study

the patients in the clinical trial had moderate to severe autism

the patients were older (mean age 13.5 years)

The results of Dr. Usman’s study are consistent with the testimonials (Video Testimonials and Written Testimonials) pages on the www.respen-a.com website. You can see more testimonials on the Respen-A™ Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Respenaforautism/posts/