Have you noticed sudden, drastic changes in your child? Have they started wetting the bed? Are you worried because they have developed compulsive behaviors or seem anxious? Do you just want your sweet child back? Have you sought help with other doctors just to be told that nothing is wrong?
You've come to the right place! We have the experience and skill to recognize symptoms and order the appropriate tests to find out what's happening with your son or daughter. Our team will work with you to find the root cause of the problem. We won't "wait and see." We'll listen and get started right away!
Our Commitment
A Holistic Approach
Functional
Exam
This in-depth, neurodevelopmental history and exam helps us determine a child's foundational issues and vulnerabilities to PANS/PANDAS.
Experienced
Pediatrician
Our experienced pediatrician will assess your child's medical needs, guide you through the diagnostic process, and work closely with the team to create a personalized intervention plan.
Pediatric Chiropractor
Kids with PANS/PANDAS are stuck in a fight or flight nervous system response. Our pediatric chiropractor focuses on bringing balance and stability to the nervous system. Our gentle adjustments improve digestion, sleep, and coping skills.
Why Choose Covenant?
Family-Centered
We know how stressful this situation is for the whole family. Going to the doctor is also stressful. We work with families to make these appointments as streamlined as possible. If it works for your family, we'll work to schedule all appointments in the same day. We're here to support the entire family. We're committed to providing guidance and resources for parents to navigate the challenges of PANS/PANDAS.
Comprehensive
We bring together a team of highly specialized doctors to address the physical and neurological aspects of PANS/PANDAS, ensuring your child receives the best possible care.
Integrative
While most families prefer a holistic approach, sometimes medication is necessary. This is especially true for PANS/PANDAS. Integrating the holistic and medical strategies provides a wrap-around approach to complex cases.
What Are PANS and PANDAS?
PANS stands for Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. It is a broader term that encompasses a range of cases with sudden onset neuropsychiatric symptoms that are not necessarily associated with streptococcal infections. It can be triggered by various factors, including infections, environmental toxins, and other immune-related mechanisms.
PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) is a subset of PANS and refers to cases where symptoms are triggered or exacerbated by a streptococcal infection, such as strep throat. It is characterized by sudden and severe onset neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Incidence Rates
The exact prevalence of PANS and PANDAS is challenging to determine due to variations in diagnostic criteria and underdiagnosis. However, estimates suggest that PANS affects approximately 1 in 200 children, and PANDAS, being a subset of PANS, is rarer, affecting a smaller percentage of children.
These conditions predominantly affect children, with the majority of cases appearing between the ages of 3 and 14, although they can sometimes occur in older individuals as well.
Age of Onset
PANS and PANDAS typically manifest during childhood, with symptoms appearing suddenly or worsening over a short period. The age of onset varies, but it commonly occurs between 3 and 14 years of age. Adolescents and even adults can also develop PANS or PANDAS, although it is less common.
Triggers
PANDAS is notably associated with streptococcal infections. When a child with a genetic predisposition or other vulnerability to PANDAS gets a strep infection, the immune system misbehaves, creating an autoimmune response that affects the brain. This autoimmune reaction is believed to trigger neuropsychiatric symptoms.
PANS has a broader range of potential triggers, including:
Infections: Aside from strep infections, other viral or bacterial infections can trigger PANS.
Environmental Factors: Exposure to environmental toxins or mold has been implicated in some cases.
Immune Dysregulation: An imbalance in the immune system, such as an autoimmune response, can contribute to PANS.
Common Symptoms
Both PANS and PANDAS share similar neuropsychiatric symptoms, which can be severe and debilitating. Common symptoms include:
Obsessive &/or Compulsive Symptoms (OCD): Repetitive, intrusive thoughts and behaviors.
Tics: Sudden, uncontrollable movements or vocalizations.
Anxiety: Intense and often irrational fears or anxieties.
Emotional Dysregulation: Mood swings, irritability, and emotional outbursts.
Changes in school performance: Regressions are often seen, particularly in handwriting and math.
Behavioral Regression: Reverting to younger behaviors such as bedwetting or separation anxiety.
Changes in appetite &/or eating habits: Self-restrictive eating, sometimes due to fear of vomiting or choking.
It is crucial to note that these symptoms often fluctuate in severity, and children may have periods of remission and exacerbation.
Hi! I'm Brittany Wade, Complex Kid Scheduling Coordinator. I'm just the gal you want on your team! As the mom of complex kids who have navigated the ropes of Covenant Pediatric Wellness Center, I am able to assist you confidently and accurately while empathizing with parents who are in the thick of their child's complexities. Feel free to contact me directly to get the process started!
"Dr. Sonia is the first doctor who truly listened to our concerns for our son. After listening to a PANS/PANDAS webinar with Dr. Sonia and documenting symptoms for over a year and a half, we got an appointment!
After our appointment, we felt like we finally had answers and a have root causes to why his symptoms are present and a plan to help him.
Their office is so sweet and kind. We love Covenant Wellness!"
J.P.
"We came to Dr. Sonia looking for answers after many failed attempts by medical professionals to help my daughter. She had struggled with being violent and having uncontrollable behaviors and outbursts. Dr. Sonia not only figured out that PANDAS was the main issue, she also figured out that her sisters and I (mom) were all struggling with it, as well. PANDAS is not a simple fix and I as an adult, had not realized I had been dealing with it most of my life. Finding out, gave me so many answers to questions I had for both myself and my children. Dr. Sonia was able to get us heading in the right direction on our healing journey and give us an understanding of the root cause of many of the issues we were having. We consider Dr. Sonia to be one of the foremost experts in PANDAS recovery and are very grateful we found her."
