PANS & PANDAS Care
When Your Child Suddenly Seems Different
Sudden changes in your child's behavior, emotions, eating, sleep, movement, or daily functioning can leave families searching for answers.
Shipley Pediatrics provides thoughtful, individualized care for children and families navigating suspected or diagnosed PANS and PANDAS. We'll take the time to listen, look at the whole picture, and help determine the appropriate next steps for your child.
Understanding PANS & PANDAS
Two related conditions. One careful approach.
PANS—Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome—is characterized by an abrupt onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms or severely restricted eating along with other sudden neuropsychiatric changes.
PANDAS—Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections—is generally considered a subset of PANS associated with a streptococcal infection.
These conditions can be complex. There is currently no single laboratory test that confirms PANS or PANDAS, and other medical, neurologic, developmental, and behavioral conditions may cause similar symptoms.
That's why a careful and individualized evaluation matters.
Signs & symptoms
When Changes Seem to Happen Overnight
One of the defining features associated with PANS and PANDAS is the sudden and significant onset or worsening of symptoms. Families may notice changes such as:
- Obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors
- Sudden food restriction or changes in eating
- New or significantly worsened anxiety
- Separation anxiety
- Tics or unusual movements
- Irritability, aggression, or significant emotional changes
- Changes in attention or concentration
- Sudden decline in school performance
- Changes in handwriting or other motor skills
- Sensory changes
- Sleep disturbances
- Frequent urination or new bedwetting
- Developmental or behavioral regression
Experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a child has PANS or PANDAS.
The timing, severity, pattern of symptoms, medical history, and other possible explanations all matter.
A Thoughtful, Whole-Child Approach
When a family comes to Shipley Pediatrics with concerns about PANS or PANDAS, our goal isn't to begin with an assumption about the diagnosis.
We begin with your child.
That means taking time to understand what changed, when it changed, your child's medical and developmental history, previous illnesses or infections, existing diagnoses, medications, treatments, and how the symptoms are affecting everyday life.
From there, Jen can help determine appropriate next steps and whether additional evaluation, testing, treatment, or collaboration with other providers may be needed.
What care includes
PANS & PANDAS Care at Shipley Pediatrics
Comprehensive History & Evaluation
A detailed review of your child's symptoms, timeline, medical history, developmental history, previous diagnoses, treatments, and other relevant information.
Review of Previous Records
When appropriate, previous medical records, laboratory results, specialist evaluations, and treatment history can help provide a more complete picture.
Individualized Evaluation
PANS and PANDAS cannot be diagnosed through one symptom or one laboratory result. Jen considers the overall clinical picture and other conditions that may need to be evaluated or ruled out.
Testing When Appropriate
Based on your child's individual presentation, Jen may recommend appropriate laboratory testing or other evaluation. Not every child requires the same testing.
Individualized Care Planning
When treatment is appropriate, recommendations are developed around your child's specific symptoms, history, clinical findings, and needs.
Ongoing Follow-Up
Symptoms can change over time. Ongoing care allows Jen to monitor your child's progress, evaluate changes, and adjust recommendations when appropriate.
Care Coordination
Children with complex neuropsychiatric symptoms may benefit from care involving multiple disciplines. When appropriate, Shipley Pediatrics can help coordinate with your child's primary care provider, therapists, behavioral health providers, specialists, school team, or other members of their care team.
Already diagnosed?
We welcome both conversations.
Some families come to Shipley Pediatrics after their child has already been diagnosed with PANS or PANDAS. Others come because something has changed dramatically and they are trying to understand why.
If your child has previously been evaluated or treated, reviewing that history can help Jen better understand where you've been, what has or hasn't helped, and what the appropriate next steps may be.
Contact Us to Learn MoreWhat PANS & PANDAS Care is not
We know families searching for answers may have already encountered conflicting information about PANS and PANDAS.
At Shipley Pediatrics, we don't believe in promising a particular diagnosis before evaluating your child, relying on a single test to provide all the answers, or offering the same treatment plan to every family.
PANS and PANDAS remain areas of active research, and there are still important questions within the medical community about causes, evaluation, and treatment.
Our approach is to listen carefully, evaluate thoughtfully, use available evidence to guide care, and make decisions based on the individual child in front of us.
Experience Caring for Complex Kids
Meet Jennifer Shipley, CPNP
Jennifer brings decades of pediatric nursing experience and extensive experience in pediatric neurology to her work with children and families.
Her background caring for children with neurologic, developmental, behavioral, and complex medical concerns shapes the way she approaches PANS and PANDAS care.
Rather than looking at one symptom in isolation, Jen takes the time to understand the broader clinical picture while recognizing when collaboration with other pediatric specialists may be appropriate.
Meet Jennifer Shipley
Collaborative care
Care That Works With Your Child's Healthcare Team
PANS and PANDAS can involve symptoms that cross multiple areas of pediatric care.
Shipley Pediatrics believes in collaborative care. When appropriate, Jen can work alongside the other professionals involved in your child's care to help families navigate recommendations and maintain a more coordinated approach.
Depending on your child's needs, their care team may include:
- Primary care
- Neurology
- Behavioral health
- Psychology or psychiatry
- Infectious disease
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Therapy services
- Other specialists
PANS & PANDAS Care Pricing
We are currently finalizing the structure and pricing for Shipley Pediatrics' dedicated PANS & PANDAS services. If you're interested in care for your child, contact our team to learn more about current availability, the care process, and next steps.
Contact Us to Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
PANS & PANDAS Questions
Are PANS and PANDAS the same thing?
No. PANS describes a clinical syndrome involving the abrupt onset of specific neuropsychiatric symptoms and can have different possible triggers or associations. PANDAS is generally considered a subset associated with group A streptococcal infection.
Does having strep and OCD or tics mean my child has PANDAS?
Not necessarily. Strep infections are common in children, as are conditions such as OCD and tic disorders. The timing, abruptness, symptom pattern, medical history, and other diagnostic considerations are important when evaluating possible PANDAS.
Is there a test for PANS or PANDAS?
There is currently no single laboratory test or biomarker that can definitively diagnose PANS or PANDAS. Diagnosis requires clinical evaluation and consideration of other possible explanations for a child's symptoms.
Does my child need to already have a diagnosis?
No. Shipley Pediatrics can work with families who are concerned about sudden changes and are seeking further evaluation as well as families whose child has previously been diagnosed.
Will my child need laboratory testing?
Not necessarily. Testing should be based on your child's individual history, symptoms, physical findings, and clinical needs rather than using the same panel of tests for every child.
Can Jen work with my child's existing pediatrician or specialists?
Yes. When appropriate, collaboration with your child's existing healthcare team can be an important part of caring for complex symptoms.
Is PANS & PANDAS Care part of Pediatric DPC or Expanded Pediatric Care?
PANS & PANDAS Care is being developed as a dedicated specialty care pathway within Shipley Pediatrics. Our team can help you understand which Shipley service is most appropriate for your child's needs.
How much does PANS & PANDAS Care cost?
We are currently finalizing the service and pricing structure. Please contact Shipley Pediatrics for current information and to discuss next steps.
You Don't Have to Figure Out the Next Step Alone.
If your child has experienced sudden, significant changes and you're wondering whether PANS or PANDAS could be part of the picture, start with a conversation. Tell us what you've been seeing. We'll help determine whether Shipley Pediatrics may be an appropriate next step for your family.