When Mental Health Isn’t The Whole Story: Recognizing and Referring PANS/PANDAS
When Mental Health Isn’t the Whole Story is a 3.5-hour training that helps social workers recognize when sudden or unusual mental health symptoms may be linked to PANS/PANDAS rather than primary psychiatric disorders. Because these conditions are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed, social workers play a key role in identifying red flags, understanding clinical presentations, and guiding families toward appropriate medical and therapeutic support. Through case examples, practical tools, and ethically grounded decision-making, participants learn how to assess symptoms, collaborate across disciplines, and provide informed referrals. This training is ideal for social workers in clinical, school, health, and community settings who want to strengthen assessment skills and better support children and families affected by neuroimmune-related disorders.
