Podcast: Bridging the gap in education and health
We recently joined Dale Pickles on SENDcast to discuss the urgent need for greater awareness of PANS and PANDAS in schools.
The conversation began when we bumped into Dale at the TES SEND Show and quickly found ourselves talking about how often these conditions are still misunderstood.
Although awareness is growing, many symptoms are still misunderstood or attributed to anxiety, behaviour, neurodivergent traits or trauma and it remains vital that understanding reaches professionals and families who may have never heard of these conditions before.
What’s covered in the episode?
In the episode, we talk through the key signs educators should look for, including sudden onset obsessive compulsive behaviours, tics, restrictive eating, emotional volatility and abrupt changes in school engagement.
We also highlight the national workstreams underway to improve understanding, build clearer pathways and ensure schools are included in joined-up support.
The conversation focuses on what schools can do right now:
- creating low-demand environments,
- avoiding behavioural sanctions, and
- responding with curiosity and compassion when a child or young person shows sudden, unexplained changes.
While none of us have all the answers yet, sharing what we do know is an important step in helping schools recognise and respond to potential symptoms of PANS and PANDAS.
“My very simplistic understanding is that PANS and PANDAS aren’t present at birth, they are a response to infection, they have a huge impact on that person, and they present like a neurodivergent condition.
[This episode is about] raising that awareness, that when someone comes back [to the classroom] from two weeks off ill, and they are a completely different child […] this could be PANS or PANDAS. There is support needed […] ask a few more questions.”
– Dale Pickles, SENDcast
Why should I listen to this podcast?
This episode is an accessible introduction for families, teachers, SENCOs, and pastoral staff who want to understand PANS or PANDAS.
Where can I hear this podcast?
SENDCast is an award-winning podcast focused on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEN/D).
Listen to the SENDcast podcast here, or via your favourite podcast provider:
How can I learn more?
We offer free, CPD-accredited training for educators and health professionals, resources to help spot early signs at home and school, EBSA and EHCP guidance for parents, teachers, and schools, along with other podcasts episodes and recorded webinars. You can also access the latest Local Authority Update.
