{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Understanding PANS and PANDAS: Bridging the Gap in Education and Health with Tina Coope","description":"Did you know that common infections, like strep throat, can cause a neuroinflammatory response affecting the brain? Today we\u2019re raising awareness of difficult to diagnose and often misunderstood conditions \u2013 Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). Tina Coope, a former teacher and parent whose daughter experienced sudden neuropsychiatric symptoms, explains how PANS and PANDAS present, why they\u2019re often missed, and what schools can do to support affected children. This episode explains: What PANS and PANDAS are: what they are, typical triggers, and common symptoms. How they can mimic or overlap with neurodivergence yet require medical recognition and timely intervention. Classroom-ready guidance: spotting multiple unexplained changes, documenting patterns, making immediate needs-led accommodations during flares, and planning flexible support during recovery. Resources and training available. Why early recognition, careful recording, and good communication between school and family can make a huge difference. \u201cYou're looking for multiple unexplained changes. They are uniformly, hugely distressing across the board of those symptoms.\u201d Tina Coope View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!   About Tina Coope Tina Coope\u202fis a former teacher with a Master\u2019s in Education and a rich background across mainstream and special schools. She\u2019s led specialist Autism provision and founded a Nurture unit in an infant school. When her daughter suddenly developed severe neuropsychiatric symptoms at age 7, Tina\u2019s professional and personal worlds collided.  Driven by lived experience, Tina became the Education Lead for\u202fPANS PANDAS UK\u202fin 2021, where she created the UK\u2019s first teacher and educational psychology training course on the conditions, and developed extensive resources for educators and allied professionals. She now co-chairs the national\u202fEducation, Social Care and Health Group, shaping guidance for Local Authorities.     Contact Tina https:\/\/panspandasuk.org https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/panspandasuk\/ https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pans_pandas_uk\/ https:\/\/x.com\/PANSPANDASUK tina.coope@panspandasuk.org   Useful Links Resources for Education Professionals  Training Local Authority Information and Update   B Squared Website \u2013 www.bsquared.co.uk  Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https:\/\/calendly.com\/b-squared-team\/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast  Email Dale \u2013 dale@bsquared.co.uk  Subscribe to the SENDcast - https:\/\/www.thesendcast.com\/subscribe   The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school. ","author_name":"The SENDcast","author_url":"https:\/\/www.thesendcast.com","html":"