Rebuilding the Microbiome: Where to Start and What Actually Works
Nearly every child we test has a gut microbiome that’s barely functional. Lactobacillus? Gone.Bifidobacteria? Gone.Inflammation? High.Pathogens? Thriving.Resilience? Non-existent. The good news? You can rebuild it. But you have to start at the beginning – and that doesn’t mean throwing probiotics at the problem. Step One: Fix the Environment You can’t grow a healthy garden in…
When Energy Vanishes: The Mitochondria Recovery Guide for Parents of Children in Crisis
Mitochondria are often called the powerhouses of the cell, but that barely scratches the surface. These tiny organelles don’t just keep the lights on. They are the command centres. They decide when to repair and when to retreat, when to launch an immune attack and when to stand down. They control inflammation, send out distress…
The Vitamin D Trap: What Blood Tests Don’t Tell You
Have you ever wondered why your child reacts so strongly to certain foods, environmental triggers, or even absolutely nothing at all? Did you know that mast cells, the immune cells responsible for allergic reactions, can spontaneously release histamine without an allergen, infection, or any clear trigger? And what if that was happening because their vitamin…
New Long Covid Study: What it Means for PANDAS & PANS
A recent study has given us an intriguing new lead in understanding Long COVID and its effects on the cholinergic system – the network that governs brain function, muscle movement, and immune responses. Think of the cholinergic system as a phone line between the brain and body. When SARS-CoV-2 binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, it’s…
Constipation in Autism: Root Causes and Real Solutions
If your autistic child struggles with constipation, you’re not alone. Digestive issues are one of the most common yet overlooked challenges in autism. Research shows autistic children are far more likely to experience constipation, bloating, and an imbalanced gut microbiome compared to their neurotypical peers. But this isn’t just about discomfort. When digestion slows, it…
Should You Stop Supplements?
If your child has PANDAS or PANS, you are probably familiar with long-term or prophylactic antibiotics. They can be an essential part of managing symptoms and preventing recurring infections. But here is the problem. Antibiotics do not just target the bad bacteria. They also wreak havoc on gut health, disrupt the immune system, and deplete…
Is Your Child Eating a Chemical Cocktail? Here’s How to Lighten the Load
If you’re here, you already know that food is more than just fuel for our kids. For families navigating PANS, PANDAS, autism, or ADHD, food can be medicine, or it can be part of what’s keeping them stuck. And it’s not just about avoiding sugar or increasing the veggies. It’s about the toxins we can’t…
Pica: Does Your Child Eat Non-Food Items?
Understanding Pica in Children: What’s Really Going On? Pica, the drive to eat non-food items like dirt, chalk, or paper, can be bewildering for parents. For children on the autism spectrum or with conditions like PANDAS or PANS, it’s particularly troubling. Officially recognised as an eating disorder in the DSM-5 since 2013, pica often signals…
Beat Mycoplasma: Winter Tips for PANDAS and PANS
If you’re living with PANDAS or PANS in your household, you already know that infections can bring much more than just coughs and sniffles. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is currently spreading through schools, can be particularly tricky. While it’s known as “walking pneumonia” because of its mild respiratory symptoms, for children with PANDAS or PANS, it…
