August 31, 2025

S2 E17: Sheilah Gauch Offers Eight Tips for Students with PANS and their Parents on How to Successfully Transition to College...or Anywhere Else

1 hour 19 minutes

Transitioning to college marks a significant milestone for any young adult, but for those with PANS/PANDAS, this journey demands unique preparation and understanding. In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Susan Manfull welcomes Sheila Gauch, Principal and Clinical Director of Dearborn Academy, who brings both professional expertise and profound personal experience to the table.

Gauch, whose own college experience as an all-American swimmer was derailed by what she believes now was undiagnosed PANS symptoms, shares eight critical strategies each—for parents and for students—that transform the college transition from daunting to doable. Her guidance stems from both professional wisdom and her journey supporting two college-age children with PANS.

For parents, the process begins with helping their children truly understand their condition's immune-mediated nature, recognizing how different it is from primary psychiatric disorders. This knowledge becomes crucial when students need to advocate for themselves in college health centers where PANS/PANDAS awareness may be limited. Equally important is parents understanding their own stress responses, often shaped by years of hypervigilance and advocacy.

"I think caregiver stress and trauma, particularly with PANS families, is so ingrained," Gauch explains, comparing it to "a frog in a pot of boiling water—you don't realize you're boiling alive." Learning to manage this response becomes essential when letting children navigate college independently.

For students, success hinges on understanding how stress triggers inflammation, potentially causing symptom flares. They must become attuned to their bodies, practice effective coping strategies, and embrace self-advocacy—particularly when accessing disability support services. Perhaps most challenging is learning to accept imperfection and mistakes, especially difficult for those with perfectionistic OCD tendencies.

Gauch also introduces the Everest Program, a comprehensive coaching service helping students bridge the gap between high school structure and collegiate independence through academic, clinical, and transition support.

Whether you're a parent preparing to launch your child or a student planning your college journey, this episode offers practical wisdom for navigating this significant transition while managing PANS/PANDAS. Ready to build that bridge to college success? Listen now and discover how to transform challenges into stepping stones toward independence.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.

Credits: Music by Kingsley Durant from his "Convertible" album

To learn more about PANDAS and PANS and The Alex Manfull Fund, visit our website: TheAlexManfullFund.org

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