Cognitive, Graphomotor, and Psychosocial Challenges in Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated With Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS)
RESEARCH IMPACT:
“Cognitive, Graphomotor, and Psychosocial Challenges in Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS)” highlights the often overlooked cognitive, motor, and emotional struggles faced by children with PANDAS and the broader diagnosis of PANS, particularly emphasizing graphomotor impairments that disrupt academic and social functioning. By revealing how these challenges are often misdiagnosed, it underscores the critical need for comprehensive, interdisciplinary evaluation to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for these children.
SUMMARY
“Cognitive, Graphomotor, and Psychosocial Challenges in Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS)” explores the implications of PANDAS beyond abrupt and dramatic OCD by delving into the cognitive, motor, and emotional consequences often overlooked in clinical assessments. Although most of the children in this study demonstrated average overall intelligence, many displayed pronounced difficulties in executive functioning, working memory, attention, and fine motor control. 93% of the patients reported academic concerns. 63% were receiving special education services or accommodations through their local public school, 33% had an IEP, and 30% had a 504 Plan.
One finding reinforced the known impact PANDAS has on handwriting and graphomotor challenges. 70% of parents reported writing difficulties in their children. The majority also reported math and reading difficulties. This impacted academic performance and self-esteem—despite otherwise normal cognitive abilities.
The study also highlights emotional and psychosocial struggles such as severe anxiety, mood dysregulation, and difficulty with peer relationships. This multifaceted impact often led to misdiagnoses, including ADHD or learning disabilities, delaying targeted interventions for PANDAS. This paper illustrates how PANDAS, and in turn the broader diagnosis of PANS, can present complex learning and emotional challenges in children. This opens multiple avenues for future research and highlights the need for ongoing psychiatric services and academic support in PANDAS and PANS patients.
LINK TO PAPER: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.20030065
CITATION
Colvin, M. K., Erwin, S., Alluri, P. R., Laffer, A., Pasquariello, K., & Williams, K. A. (2021). Cognitive, Graphomotor, and Psychosocial Challenges in Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated With Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 33(2), 90–97. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.20030065