Insights
 

When a child is in a PANS or PANDAS flare, their immune and nervous systems are under pressure. Inflammation, blood‑sugar swings, gut disruption, histamine issues and nutrient depletion can all make symptoms harder to manage. Nutrition won’t replace medical care, but it can support calmer behaviour, steadier energy and better resilience. Stabilise blood sugar first Parents often notice that flares feel worse when their child is hungry, wired or crashing. Keeping blood sugar s

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is often misunderstood. It’s not “fussy eating,” and it’s not a parenting issue. ARFID is a complex feeding challenge where eating feels genuinely hard — physically, emotionally, or neurologically. For many families I support, ARFID shows up alongside neurodevelopmental conditions, anxiety, sensory processing differences, or chronic health issues. Now 4 months in he began has to eat some solids again for the first time in alm

Many children with autism have sensory issues around food, which often leads to very limited diets. When the same few foods are eaten day after day, it’s common to see significant nutrient gaps — especially in minerals that support mood, behaviour, digestion and nervous‑system regulation. Hair mineral testing can help identify which nutrients are low, which are out of balance, and which patterns may be contributing to the symptoms you’re seeing. It gives a clearer picture of

Parenting is busy. PANS/PANDAS parenting is on a different level entirely — the pace, the unpredictability, the emotional load. Despite that, I always ask parents to complete a food and symptom diary. Even when life feels chaotic, this small habit can reveal patterns that are otherwise impossible to see. Why Food Tracking Matters in PANS & PANDAS The link between foods and symptoms in PANS/PANDAS can never be underestimated. Many children experience shifting sensitivities de

Oxalates are natural compounds found in many everyday foods. While most people process them without difficulty, some children may become more sensitive to oxalates when gut health, immune function or mineral balance is compromised. When oxalates build up in the body, they can irritate the gut lining, interfere with nutrient absorption and contribute to a range of symptoms. These may include burning or frequent urination, joint discomfort, eye irritation and digestive symptoms

If you're parenting a child with PANS or PANDAS, you already know how quickly things can shift. Anxiety, OCD, tics, mood swings, sleep disruption and regressions can appear almost overnight, often linked to infections or inflammation. One factor that can add to this picture is histamine intolerance. Histamine is a natural chemical produced by the body. It plays important roles in immunity, digestion, sleep, hormone regulation and communication within the brain. Histamine its

Many autistic children struggle with food issues, especially sensory sensitivities. This often leads to eating the same safe foods on repeat, which can create gaps in key minerals that support energy, mood, sleep, behaviour and overall health. Hair mineral testing can help you understand what might be missing — gently and without stress. What Is Hair Mineral Testing? Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a non‑invasive test that looks at the mineral content of a small sample