Is it PANS/PANDAS?

Taking a Curious Look

Mar 17, 2025

This collection of text and images was created collaboratively by neurodivergent educators, working together to shine a light on this often-overlooked area of care.

Helen Edgar, Joanne Riordan, Laura Hellfeld, Viv Dawes, Julie Webb and Ben Palmer

Have you noticed a change in your child's ability to cope with life or a decline in their well-being?

It is worth being curious about what may be going on.

Photo of a rainbow umbrella being held up in the rain.

If your child is neurodivergent and struggling, they may be experiencing neurodivergent burnout.

However, if the change was sudden or may have been following an illness, it is also worth considering and finding out about PANS/PANDAS, especially if there has been a sudden onset or escalation of multiple unexplained changes following an illness. There are many overlaps between the presentation of PANS/PANDAS and burnout.

PANS and PANDAS are medical conditions. People with PANS or PANDAS may experience a variety of symptoms impacting mental and physical health and also the sensory system. Please seek medical advice if you think your child has PANS/PANDAS.

mage of umbrella with text in orange and yellow boxes: Is it Neurodivergent Burnout or could it be PANS/PANDAS? Signs of both may include: Motor & sensory challenges & changes, Sudden/ increased OCD, Changes in mood/emotional regulation, Restricted eating/Changes to eating pattern, Sudden/ Increased repetitive behaviours Heightened anxiety, fears & panic, Exhaustion, Suddenly struggling in many activities & areas of life, including school & relationships, Language/ communication changes, Insomnia/sleep difficulties, PANS/PANDAS is a medical condition. If your neurodivergent child is experiencing PANS/PANDAS or/and in Burnout they will need support. They will need more rest, more time stimming, lower demands, and more time to engage in their passions to help recover. Key information: PANS/PANDAS follows illness, and have a sudden onset or escalation of struggles/symptoms. Seek medical advice. If you are a parent/carer or professional and suspect PANS/PANDAS, visit www.panspandasuk.org for information and support. Be curious. ......Explore before you conclude!

Image of umbrella with text in orange and yellow boxes: What are PANS/ PANDAS? How could they be relevant to a neurodivergent child who is struggling? PANS: Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome PANDAS: Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections 13 PANS and PANDAS are neuropsychiatric conditions. This means they are medical conditions which have both neurological (eg. difficulties with thinking or moving) and psychiatric (ie. mental health) symptoms. Both conditions can begin quite suddenly, and symptoms may come and go over time. • It may be difficult to recognise PANS/PANDAS in neurodivergent children, as many of the symptoms of Neurodivergent Burnout may overlap with PANS/PANDAS. It is important to raise awareness and start discussions around PANS/PANDAS & neurodivergent children/people, so that they have a greater chance of accessing the correct treatment and support if needed. For information and support for parents/carers and professionals visit www.panspandasuk.org Be curious......Explore before you conclude!

Image of umbrella with text in orange and yellow boxes: Neurodivergent Burnout / & PANS/PANDAS 3/3 BURNOUT: 'demands of life exceeding a person's resources' (Judy Endow 2015) PANS: Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome PANDAS: Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections Remember neurodivergent burnout and PANS/PANDAS may co-occur, symptoms and signs may over lap. PANS/PANDAS requires medical support. It is typically triggered by infections which require treatment to reduce the symptoms. For information and support for parents/carers and professionals visit www.panspandasuk.org Be curious. ......Explore before you conclude!

Signposting and Resources

PANS/PANDAS UK
PANS/PANDAS frequently asked questions
PANS Life Facebook page
PANS Australia and PANS Australia Facebook page
PANS PANDAS Foundation Ireland
PANS PANDAS Education with Shara Virlan

The following list was collated and shared by Romy Worthington

Romy’s PANDAS/PANS and OCD Youtube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL39925jJXko0mAIEKiO9k9TwOdKl9tJ4M
Romy’s Instagram page with a lot of PANDAS/PANS posts: https://www.instagram.com/chronic.advocate?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Information on antibiotics for PANDAS/PANS: https://www.pandasppn.org/antibiotics/
Royal College of Nursing PANDAS/PANS information: https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/Blogs/pans-pandas-a-mysterious-and-debilitating-paediatric-disorder-180523
When specific foods trigger brain inflammation in children: https://www.lymedisease.org/members/lyme-times/2023-summer-news/foods-trigger-brain-inflammation/
Patient stories of brain inflammation: https://braininflammation.org/patient-stories/
A parent talking about the importance of antiviral treatment when antibiotics don’t work: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/emiliametzel_weeklypans-activity-7192897265559097344-fDqn?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Food Sensitivities: https://theconversation.com/people-can-have-food-sensitivities-without-noticeable-symptoms-long-term-consumption-of-food-allergens-may-lead-to-behavior-and-mood-changes-192570
Finding a doctor:
1. https://www.finder.bupa.co.uk/Consultant/view/153066/professor_gareth_morgan
2. https://www.phin.org.uk/profiles/consultants/dr-maria-kinali-129394
The Children’s E-hospital, Dr Ubhi: https://drtimubhi.com
PANS PANDAS UK Facebook group: https://aspire.care/treating-pans/medications/
Information on false FII allegations: https://panspandasuk.org/support-resources/safeguarding-and-fii/
Stanford medicine PANS PANDAS Q&A: https://med.stanford.edu/pans/about/Q-and-A.html
A Q&A with an expert on PANS and Lyme: https://neuroimmune.org/dr-shannon-delaney-interview/
Info on Lyme testing: https://arminlabs.com/en/diseases/bacteria/lyme-borreliosis
PANS PANDAS UK facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/189721514954497

Thank you for reading,

Laura Hellfeld

RN, MSN, PHN, CNL

Connect with me on social media

BlueSky, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook

Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalised support and care tailored to your specific needs.

Discussion about this post

Ready for more?