An Interdisciplinary Team Approach to the Assessment and Treatment of PANS/PANDAS

This article describes the clinical process of an interdisciplinary team approach to the comprehensive assessment and treatment of Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS). These complex conditions present with abrupt-onset behavioral and psychiatric symptoms that require simultaneous medical and behavioral intervention. The clinic’s overall process is described, along with the roles and responsibilities of each team member, and emphasis is placed on how behavior analysts are integrated into this health-care setting. Also discussed are challenges to interdisciplinary collaboration, along with methods employed by the team to maintain and deliver cohesive, patient-centered care.