PANDAS
AUTISM
OCD
One Biological Continuum:
Infection
Inflammation
Brain Symptoms
In real children, the picture is often more connected:
The triggers can be different (timing, which infection starts it)
But the core biological process can be similar: persistent infections + immune imbalance → inflammation → brain and behavior symptoms
The main difference is when the brain is affected:
In PANS/PANDAS, symptoms often appear suddenly in a child who was previously doing well.
In autism, biology often starts affecting development very early, and symptoms unfold over time (sometimes with regression episodes).
PANS/PANDAS (IN SIMPLE TERMS)
01
PANS/PANDAS describes a situation where
a child’s brain function changes quickly —
often after an infection — and the child suddenly develops symptoms such as:
New or severe OCD-like behaviors
Tics (movements or sounds)
Sudden anxiety, panic, fear, or separation anxiety
Rage episodes, crying spells, mood swings
Sudden loss of attention, school performance decline
Sleep changes, appetite restriction, urinary issues
PANDAS is the form most strongly linked to strep, but many children also have other infections involved.
WHAT IS AUTISM?
02
Autism is a condition where the brain’s development and “wiring” is affected early. It often includes:
Speech and communication delays
Sensory overwhelm (sound, touch, light, textures)
Repetitive behaviors
Social interaction challenges
Motor coordination issues
Sometimes regression (loss of skills after illness, fever, stress, etc.)
In many children, autism is not “just genetics.” It often involves ongoing biology that can be addressed.
WHAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON (THE OVERLAP)
03
PANDAS is the form most strongly linked to strep, but many children also have other infections involved.
Even though the labels are different, many children share the same underlying drivers:
Common biological effects:
Bacterial infections
Immune system becomes overactive or unbalanced
Inflammation rises
Viral infections
Fungal overgrowth
The blood–brain barrier can become more “leaky”
Parasitic infections
Biofilms (microbes protected in layers that make them harder to treat)
Microglia (immune cells in the brain) become activated or “stuck” in an
Inflammatory mode
Brain signaling chemicals become disrupted (dopamine, glutamate, GABA)
Result: symptoms in behavior, emotion, attention, speech, sleep, and learning.
WHY SYMPTOMS LOOK DIFFERENT
04
PANDAS is the form most strongly linked to strep, but many children also have other infections involved.
PANS/PANDAS:
A child’s brain is hit like a storm (fast onset, big swings, flares)
AUTISM:
A child’s brain develops under long-term pressure (early disruption, chronic inflammation, slower recovery)
Same biology can be involved — but the timing and the brain systems affected can change the symptom pattern.
TREATMENT: SAME PRINCIPLES, DIFFERENT EMPHASIS
05
Because the underlying biology overlaps, the treatment philosophy must overlap too:
Shared treatment principles (PANS/PANDAS + Autism):
New or severe OCD-like behaviors
Tics (movements or sounds)
Sudden anxiety, panic, fear, or separation anxiety
Rage episodes, crying spells, mood swings
Sudden loss of attention, school performance decline
Sleep changes, appetite restriction, urinary issues
PANDAS is the form most strongly linked to strep, but many children also have other infections involved.
One Biological Continuum:
A) Mitochondrial recovery (energy support)
Many autistic children show signs of low cellular energy or fragile energy metabolism. When energy is low:
Learning slows
Speech progress becomes harder
Sensory tolerance decreases
Fatigue and irritability increase
Supporting mitochondria can help the brain “have fuel” for development and repair.
C) Microbiome restoration
After reducing harmful microbes, the next step is rebuilding
Beneficial bacteria
Mucosal barrier strength
Healthy fermentation and metabolism
A healthier microbiome often means:
Lower inflammation
Better sleep
Better attention and mood stability
Improved stool patterns
Better tolerance of foods and supplements
E) Cognitive restoration (attention, learning, speech)
In autism, the long-term goal is not just symptom control. It is function:
Improved attention and processing speed
Improved language and comprehension
Improved emotional regulation
Improved social engagement
Improved fine and gross motor coordination
Parents should understand that cognitive improvement often comes in phases:
First: less inflammation, better sleep, calmer behavior
Then: better focus and learning readiness
later: gains in speech, cognition, and social connection
B) GI cleanup and gut inflammation control
The gut is not separate from the brain.
Many children have:
SIBO and SIFO
Constipation/diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Reflux
Food sensitivities
Dysbiosis and toxins from microbes
If the gut is inflamed, the immune system stays activated and brain symptoms often remain unstable.
“GI cleanup” means:
Eliminating bacteria and fungi from a small intestine
Reducing gut inflammation
Improving digestion and stool regularity
D) Neuroplasticity support (helping the brain rewire)
The brain can improve when inflammation is controlled — especially in younger children.
But recovery is not automatic. The brain needs:
Stable sleep
Stable metabolism
Nutrients
Reduced inflammatory signals
Consistent learning inputs
This is why biological treatment
and developmental support often work
best together.
F) THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR PARENTS
A label describes symptoms
Biology explains causes