PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day
October 9 is PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day, a time to shed light on two little-known conditions that can look strikingly similar to neurodevelopmental disorders but which have very different causes and treatment paths.
PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) occur when a child’s immune system reacts abnormally to an infection, leading to dramatic changes in behavior or functioning, often very abruptly. Children may suddenly develop obsessive-compulsive behaviors, severe anxiety, tics, emotional outbursts, or regression in skills, sometimes overnight.
Because these symptoms can mimic autism, ADHD, OCD, or Tourette’s, families often find themselves unsure where to start. That’s why awareness and access to quality care are so important.
Neurodevelopmental disorders are lifelong differences in how a person’s brain develops and processes the world, and attending to them well calls for understanding, support, and accommodations in a neuro-affirming way. PANS and PANDAS, however, are medical conditions triggered by immune responses to infection. They require medical diagnosis and treatment that involves interventions to address the underlying immune reaction. In short, one is about supporting a person’s unique neurotype, while the other is about identifying and treating a temporary but disruptive medical condition.
At Grounded Roots Family Development Center, our team specializes in evaluations for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and tic disorders. We take a neuro-affirming approach, recognizing that these differences are not deficits to be “fixed,” but unique ways of thinking, learning, and experiencing the world that deserve understanding and support. Our goal is to help families understand their child’s unique neurotype and how to support them in ways that foster confidence and growth.
While we don’t diagnose PANS or PANDAS (which require medical testing and treatment by a physician), we believe that all children and families facing challenges deserve clarity and support. Our evaluations can help determine whether a child’s symptoms are consistent with a neurodevelopmental condition or if something else may be contributing. In some cases, our findings can help families rule out certain developmental differences and guide them toward the right kind of medical evaluation if immune or infection-related concerns seem likely.
If your child’s symptoms appeared suddenly or seem to fluctuate dramatically in connection with an illness, it may be worth learning more about PANS/PANDAS and discussing it with your pediatrician. (ASPIRE is one great place to start for more info!) And if you’re wondering whether your child’s behaviors might reflect autism, ADHD, or another neurodevelopmental difference, our clinic can help you find clarity through a thorough, compassionate evaluation process. Please let us know how we can serve your family!
