Notes From the Clinic
Reflections, insights, and gentle guidance drawn from my work with women and children, shared to support you in your own healing journey.
✨ At a Glance
Gentle, evidence-informed articles on children's gut, immune and nervous system health, including PANS/PANDAS, tics, neuroinflammation, anxiety, ADHD, eczema and recurrent infections, alongside women's hormonal health through perimenopause and menopause
Written by Sydney clinical naturopath Ayelet Center, combining current research with practical insights from her clinic room
Explore the articles below for clear explanations, possible contributing factors, testing considerations and gentle, practical support
Ready to take the next step?
From Infection to Tics: Understanding the PANS Timeline
When a child develops sudden tics, anxiety or obsessive behaviours, it can feel frightening and confusing. Often, the behaviour is only part of the story. This article explores the PANS timeline, from infection to immune activation to nervous system overwhelm, and explains why understanding the sequence of events is key to supporting your child’s recovery gently and effectively.
The Handwriting Clue: An Early Sign of PANS Most Parents Miss
A sudden change in your child's handwriting can be an early sign of PANS. A Sydney paediatric naturopath explains what to look for and what to do next.
Could Folate Be the Missing Piece in PANS?
A 2024 study found folate receptor antibodies in 63.8% of children with PANS or PANDAS - meaning their brains may be unable to access folate even when blood levels look normal. This article explores what cerebral folate deficiency is, how it connects to symptoms like tics, OCD and anxiety, and what the current evidence says about folinic acid and leucovorin as interventions.
PANS: Is the Immune System Keeping Your Child’s Brain on High Alert?
Long before the sudden anxiety or tics, there were often quieter signs - allergies, snoring, or chronic congestion. Discover how these "mild" immune struggles can set the stage for PANS and why calming the immune system is the missing link to helping your child’s brain recover.
Sudden-Onset OCD in Young Children: When to Consider Anxiety, PANS, and the Nervous System
When OCD appears suddenly in a young child, it can feel frightening and confusing for parents. Reassurance seeking, repetitive phrases, and intense fears often signal a nervous system stuck in threat mode rather than a behavioural problem. This article explores anxiety, the nervous system, and when it may be appropriate to consider PANS, offering gentle guidance for families navigating sudden-onset OCD.
Methylation, MTHFR and PANS: Why Detox Pathways Matter
Discover how methylation, MTHFR and folate receptor antibodies influence brain inflammation in children with PANS. Learn from a PANS-informed naturopath how gentle detox and nutritional support can calm the nervous system and restore balance.
Could Mould Be Affecting My Child? Insights from a Naturopath for PANS
If your child has changed overnight or reacts more at home, mould may be contributing to symptoms like anxiety, tics and sleep problems. This article explains the hidden link between mould exposure and conditions like PANS and PANDAS, plus what to do next.