PANS/PANDAS
When a child experiences sudden changes in behavior, mood, cognition, or daily functioning, it can be confusing and distressing for the entire family. For some children, these changes may occur alongside physical symptoms, sleep disturbances, sensory sensitivities, or changes in eating habits. Other children experience longstanding differences in attention, learning, communication, or sensory processing that influence how they navigate everyday life.
These presentations can have many contributing factors, and understanding what is happening often requires looking beyond a single symptom or diagnosis. At Radiance Naturopathic, we take a comprehensive, individualized approach to supporting children and families navigating PANS/PANDAS. We consider each child’s developmental history, symptom patterns, medical history, and overall health to help guide appropriate evaluation and care.
Our goal is to help families better understand their child’s condition, identify treatable contributing factors, and develop a thoughtful care plan that supports health, development, and quality of life.
What Is PANS/PANDAS?
PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) describe conditions in which children experience a sudden, dramatic onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms. These may include obsessive-compulsive behaviors, severe food restriction, anxiety, emotional changes, tics, sleep disturbances, and changes in behavior or daily functioning.
PANS can occur in association with a variety of possible triggers or underlying processes, while PANDAS specifically describes a proposed association between symptom onset and group A streptococcal infection. The mechanisms underlying these conditions are still being investigated, and symptoms can overlap with other medical, developmental, and psychiatric conditions.
Because the onset can be abrupt and symptoms can significantly affect a child’s daily life, careful evaluation is essential.
At Radiance Naturopathic, we take a comprehensive approach to understanding each child’s presentation, investigating potential contributing factors when appropriate, and developing an individualized plan of care in collaboration with the child’s broader healthcare team.
Our Approach to Care
Comprehensive Evaluation & Investigation
We begin by developing a thorough understanding of your child’s health and developmental history, including the timing and progression of symptoms, previous diagnoses, infection history when relevant, environmental exposures, sleep, nutrition, medications, and prior treatment responses. We pay particular attention to the pattern of symptom onset, including whether changes occurred suddenly or developed gradually over time.
When clinically indicated, we may recommend targeted laboratory testing or further evaluation to investigate potential medical contributors, such as documented infections, nutritional deficiencies, or other relevant health conditions. Testing is guided by the child’s clinical presentation and the available evidence rather than broad, indiscriminate screening.
We also recognize the importance of considering other explanations for neuropsychiatric symptoms and coordinating with appropriate specialists when additional evaluation is needed.
Individualized Treatment & Support
Treatment depends on the child’s diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, and individual needs. Our approach prioritizes interventions that are appropriate to the clinical findings and supported by the available evidence. Depending on the circumstances, care may include:
Evaluation and appropriate management of identified infections
Conventional medications when indicated
Nutritional assessment and correction of identified deficiencies
Support for sleep, nutrition, and other foundational aspects of health
Herbal Therapies
Homeopathy
Individualized behavioral and lifestyle strategies
Coordination with mental health professionals, pediatricians, neurologists, developmental specialists, and other members of the child’s care team
For children with PANS/PANDAS, treatment decisions require particular care because the evidence and recommendations for some interventions remain evolving. We aim to distinguish established treatment approaches from less certain options and discuss the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of recommendations with families.
For neurodevelopmental conditions, our goal is to support the child’s health and functioning without treating neurodevelopmental differences themselves as something that necessarily needs to be eliminated or cured.
Family-Centered, Collaborative Care
We understand that a child’s health concerns affect the entire family. Navigating appointments, school needs, behavioral changes, and uncertainty about the future can be exhausting. We strive to create a supportive environment where parents and caregivers feel heard, their observations are taken seriously, and questions are welcomed.
We work with families to establish realistic goals, monitor progress, and adjust care as needs change. When appropriate, we collaborate with other healthcare professionals to help ensure that medical, developmental, behavioral, and educational needs are addressed in a coordinated way.
Our goal is to help families find clarity where possible, address treatable health concerns, and support each child’s well-being and daily functioning through individualized, compassionate care.