Today's guest, Elizabeth, had never heard of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infection) when her son was diagnosed with it. PANDAS is a tough diagnosis, because some doctors believe in it while others do not. Having a child with this diagnosis that only some doctors believe in is incredibly hard to navigate, to say the least. PANDAS is an autoimmune disease closely related to infections, so you will hear Elizabeth talk a bit about how her son's ear infections seemed to lead to PANDAS.
Elizabeth also shares her thoughts about how society does not judge kids with colds, cancer, or appendicitis, but society tends to look down on you when your child suffers from neuropsychiatric symptoms. There are misconceptions that these symptoms are related to bad parenting, violence in the home, poor role models, lack of discipline, or just being a "bad child". Parents of children with PANDAS have a lot to carry on their shoulders, and I am so glad Elizabeth is here to share her story.
In this episode, we talk about…
[2:46] Elizabeth's family and background
[5:17] Elizabeth's son's first symptoms of PANDAS
[9:01] Getting the diagnosis of an acute onset of PANDAS
[12:33] Being discharged from the hospital
[16:28] More strep, different symptoms
[23:38] Juvenile court and the path to treatment
[33:58] Searching for the source of PANDAS with medical testing
[43:58] How Elizabeth's son and family are doing after medical treatment
[45:09] Elizabeth's book: What's Wrong With My Child?
Connect with Elizabeth:
Book: What's Wrong With My Child?
When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels!
Learn more here.
Meet the host:
Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.
The Child Life On Call Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Child Life On Call Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Child Life On Call. Child Life On Call does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Child Life On Call and its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.
