PANDAS Awareness: Teaching Empathy & Kindness
Understanding what children with PANDAS and PANS experience — and how to respond with compassion rather than confusion.
Why does a child with PANDAS or PANS behave so differently than before?
Children with PANDAS and PANS experience behavioral changes caused by brain inflammation — not by choice, poor parenting, or a mental health condition that developed slowly. An immune response (often triggered by a strep infection) mistakenly inflames the basal ganglia, the brain region that helps regulate emotions, habits, and movement. This is why a child can seem completely different almost overnight.
How can family members and teachers respond with empathy?
- Believe the child and the parents — the symptoms are neurological, not behavioral choices
- Stay calm during difficult moments — anxiety and stress worsen symptoms
- Avoid saying "just stop it" or "you're acting out" — the child genuinely cannot control what is happening
- Ask the parents what helps most — each child is different
- Learn what triggers flares (like strep exposure) so you can help avoid them
What should I avoid saying to a family whose child has PANDAS?
Avoid: "All kids act like that sometimes." "Have you tried being more consistent with discipline?" "It's probably just a phase." "Are you sure it's not just anxiety?" These comments minimize a medical condition and add to the exhaustion caregiving parents already carry.
Instead, ask: "What does a hard day look like for your family, and how can I help?" or "What should I know about being around your child during a flare?"