A Blueprint for PANS/PANDAS Care: New Landmark Paper from the U of A CPAE Center of Excellence

For many families navigating the world of Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS), the journey to a diagnosis is often marked by confusion and a sense of being unheard. At The PACE Foundation, we have spent over a decade working to change that narrative.

Today, we are thrilled to celebrate a massive milestone in that mission. The clinical team from the multidisciplinary CPAE Center of Excellence at the University of Arizona in Tucson has released a landmark paper titled, “An Interdisciplinary Team Approach to the Assessment and Treatment of PANS/PANDAS.”

This publication is more than just a scientific document; it is a blueprint for the future of pediatric neuroimmune care. The U of A CPAE Center approaches its 10-year anniversary in September 2026, and PACE is incredibly proud of the clinical team’s decade of progress in diagnosis, treatment, and groundbreaking research.

The Blueprint: An Interdisciplinary Team Approach

The newly released paper outlines the clinic’s comprehensive process for assessment and treatment. Because PANS and PANDAS present with an abrupt onset of behavioral and psychiatric symptoms: often overnight: the paper argues that medical and behavioral interventions must occur simultaneously.

The interdisciplinary model described in the paper includes several key pillars:

• Immunology and Infectious Disease: Addressing the underlying autoimmune triggers and inflammatory responses.
• Neurology: Monitoring the neuropsychiatric manifestations and ensuring neurological health.
• Psychiatry: Managing the acute psychiatric distress, OCD, and anxiety that accompany these flares.
• Nursing and Care Coordination: Ensuring the family is supported through the logistics of complex treatment plans.

By having these specialists in the same room, the team can move from a “symptom-management” mindset to a “root-cause” treatment plan.

The Vital Role of Behavior Analysts

One of the most significant highlights of the paper is the integration of behavior analysts into the healthcare setting. Historically, behavior analysis was often seen as separate from medical treatment. However, in the context of PANS/PANDAS, behavioral symptoms like food restriction, motor tics, and extreme anxiety require immediate, specialized support.

The paper details how behavior analysts work alongside medical doctors to:

1. Identify Behavioral Baselines: Helping the team distinguish between “flare-related” behaviors and other environmental factors.
2. Support Family Dynamics: Providing parents with actionable tools to manage aggressive or ritualistic behaviors during a flare.
3. Monitor Treatment Efficacy: Using data-driven methods to see if medical treatments (like IVIG or antibiotics) are translating into behavioral improvements.

Integrating these professionals ensures that the child is supported emotionally and behaviorally while their immune system is being treated medically.

Overcoming Challenges to Collaboration

While the “team approach” sounds ideal, the paper does not shy away from the challenges of interdisciplinary work. Collaborative care requires breaking down “silos” where different specialists might disagree on the primary driver of a symptom.

The U of A team employs specific methods to maintain cohesive, patient-centered care:

• Joint Clinical Reviews: Regular sessions where the entire team reviews a single case to ensure no detail is missed.
• Shared Electronic Health Records: Allowing every specialist to see real-time updates on a child’s progress.
• The “Whole Child” Philosophy: A commitment to seeing past the diagnostic labels and focusing on the family’s goal: returning the child to their pre-illness self.

For many families, this level of coordination is the antidote to the medical gaslighting they may have experienced elsewhere. It validates that their child’s sudden psychiatric change is a medical event requiring a medical response.

Finding a Center of Excellence Near You

The success of the University of Arizona CPAE Center is a cornerstone of The PACE Foundation’s larger mission. We collaborate with leading medical institutions across the country to establish a network of specialized clinics dedicated to these complex neuroimmune disorders.

Our goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of where they live, has access to a multidisciplinary team that understands the nuances of CPAE disorders. These centers combine expertise in neurology, immunology, psychiatry, and infectious diseases to provide the comprehensive care described in the U of A landmark paper.

Your Collaborative Care Checklist

If you are seeking care for your child, look for a clinic that offers:

• Multidisciplinary Access: Do they have immunology, neurology, and psychiatry under one roof or closely coordinated?
• Evidence-Based Protocols: Do they follow established diagnostic pathways for PANS/PANDAS?
• Integrated Behavioral Support: Is there a psychologist or behavior analyst involved in the care plan?
• Family-Centered Communication: Do they listen to your observations as the primary caregiver?

Join the Movement for Better Care

As we approach the 10-year anniversary of the U of A clinic, we are reminded that progress is made through partnership. This paper is a testament to what happens when donors, researchers, and clinicians work together.

How you can help:

• Find a Clinic: If your child is struggling, visit our Clinics Page to find specialized care near you.
• Support Research: Our work in facilitating these centers and promoting research is made possible by your donations. Support the mission here.
• Stay Informed: Sign up for our Newsletter to receive the latest clinical updates and research breakthroughs directly in your inbox.

Together, we are building a world where PANS and PANDAS are diagnosed quickly and treated effectively, allowing every child the chance to thrive.