What Is the PANSAC Council and Why Do I Serve?
As a clinician, I’ve walked with families through the confusion, fear, and frustration of trying to find answers for children experiencing sudden, severe changes in behavior, mood, and functioning. That’s why I’m honored to serve on the Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Advisory Council (PANSAC), a state-appointed body dedicated to advancing the care and understanding of PANS and related disorders in Texas.
What Is PANS?
PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) is a clinical condition characterized by the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms or severely restricted food intake, along with additional behavioral, emotional, or neurological changes. It can follow an infection, immune response, or environmental trigger, and it often mimics psychiatric illness, leading to missed diagnoses or ineffective treatment.
Without timely intervention, the impact on children and families can be profound.
What Is the PANSAC Council?
The PANSAC Council was established in 2019 through House Bill 2783 by the Texas Legislature. It is a multidisciplinary, state-level advisory committee created to:
Advise the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and Legislature on matters related to PANS and PANDAS (a related condition linked to streptococcal infections).
Promote awareness, early detection, and effective care across healthcare, education, and public health systems.
Develop and recommend clinical guidelines, training for providers, and outreach efforts for schools and families.
The Council includes a wide range of appointed members, including physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, immunologists, social workers, educators, dietitians, and parent advocates—each bringing their own expertise and lived experience to the table.
What Does the Council Do?
Each year, the Council submits formal recommendations to the state regarding:
Best practices in diagnosis and treatment
School accommodations and education efforts
Professional training for clinicians and educators
Public awareness initiatives
Research priorities and network development
Our goal is to create a more coordinated, compassionate, and evidence-based response to a condition that often falls through the cracks of conventional care systems.
Why I Serve
I chose to serve on the PANSAC Council because I believe that early intervention saves lives, and not just physically, but emotionally and developmentally.
In my clinical work, I’ve seen what happens when children are misdiagnosed, when parents feel dismissed, and when treatment is delayed. I’ve also seen the remarkable transformation that’s possible when we get it right; when providers, educators, and families are equipped with the right knowledge, tools, and support systems.
Being part of this council means I can amplify what I’ve learned in practice, contribute to systems-level change, and help ensure that no family has to navigate PANS alone or in the dark.
This work is deeply personal. I serve because I believe every child deserves access to care that recognizes the complex interplay between the brain, body, and immune system, and because I know we can do better.
How You Can Help
Parents and educators: Learn the signs of PANS and advocate for comprehensive evaluations.
Clinicians: Stay current with research and consider differential diagnoses for sudden-onset behavioral or psychiatric symptoms.
Community members: Share resources, support families, and elevate awareness.
Policymakers and leaders: Continue to fund and support early identification, research, and equitable care.
You can also read the latest PANSAC Council reports and recommendations by visiting the Texas HHS Advisory Council Page.
Being a part of the PANSAC Council allows me to blend clinical insight with advocacy, giving voice to children and families who too often go unheard. Together, we are working toward a future where PANS is not only recognized, but treated with urgency, understanding, and compassion
If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms that may align with PANS, don’t wait. There is support. There is hope. And there are people, like those on this Council, working to make sure no one gets left behind.
Thank you for being here,
Dr. E
