Support Group · Launching for PANDAS/PANS Awareness Month
The HELP Circle
A free weekly support group on Zoom for parents and caregivers of children with PANDAS and PANS. It's a place to talk about the journey, the treatment plan, the hard weeks and the wins, with people who already understand.
You don't have to explain it here
When your child changes almost overnight, the people around you don't always understand. In the HELP Circle, everyone does. Maybe you're still searching for a diagnosis, maybe you're in the middle of treatment, or maybe you're years in. Either way, there's a seat for you.
- Share your journey: the first signs, the search for answers, and what life at home looks like now
- Talk through treatment plans: what families have tried, what they've asked their doctors, and how it's going
- Swap practical know-how: school accommodations, insurance and AB 2105, and getting through flares
- Take care of yourself, too: caregivers need support to keep giving it
Sharing our stories and setting the space
At our first meeting, we'll get to know each other. Each family can share as much of their story as they'd like, and together we'll set the agreements that make this group safe, supportive and ours.
At a glance
- When
Every Monday, 7:30–8:30 pm Pacific - Starts
Monday, October 5, 2026 - Where
Zoom. We email you the private link after you register - Who
Parents and caregivers (18+) of a child with PANDAS/PANS, whether suspected or diagnosed - Host
Danielle Rubin-Luchs, President - Cost
Free
Our agreements
- Confidential. What's shared here stays here. Sessions are never recorded.
- Your own story. Speak from your own experience, and listen without judging.
- No medical advice. Say what worked for your family, and leave decisions to each family and their doctors.
- Share the air. Give everyone a turn, and you can always pass.
- Privacy first. Use first names only, and protect your child's story.
- No selling. That includes products, practitioners, and recruiting.
Share the flyer
Post it at your pediatrician's office, your child's school, or in a parent group.
Register
We review every registration by hand to keep the group safe. You'll get a welcome email from Danielle with the private Zoom link before the next Monday session.
If your child is in crisis (talking about wanting to die, or in immediate danger), call or text 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency department. The HELP Circle is peer support. It isn't therapy or medical care.
Common questions
Does my child need a formal diagnosis?
No. If you suspect PANDAS or PANS and you're still looking for answers, you belong here. Many of us started in exactly that place.
Is it really free?
Yes. There's no cost to join, and you don't need to donate or commit to anything else.
Is it confidential?
Yes. We never record sessions, the Zoom link goes only to registered members, and everyone agrees to keep what's shared in the group. You can use your first name only, and you can keep your camera off if you need to.
Can my partner or co-parent join too?
Absolutely. Each adult caregiver should register separately so we have everyone on the list.
Do I have to come every week?
No. Come when you can. Some families join every Monday, and others drop in during a hard stretch. You're always welcome back.
Will I get medical advice?
No. The HELP Circle is peer support. Parents share what they've experienced, but it's never a substitute for your child's doctors. Pediatric H.E.L.P. Organization doesn't yet provide medical care.
What if I can't make Monday evenings?
Tell us in the registration form or email info@pediatrichelporg.org. If enough families need another time, we'll add a second group.