Greater Atlanta Integrative Pediatrics

03/09/2026

At Greater Atlanta Integrative Pediatrics, we have the privilege of caring for children with a wide range of developmental differences — including autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, and other unique learning and neurological profiles.

These children bring incredible perspectives, talents, creativity, and determination to the world around them.

Awareness is important, but what families truly need is understanding, resources, and partnership.

That means:
• Listening to parents who know their child best
• Providing thoughtful medical care that looks at the whole child
• Creating spaces where children with developmental differences feel supported and respected

Every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a community that sees their strengths.

At GAIP, that commitment is part of our work every single day.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 💙💚

This month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions, talents, and voices of people with developmental disabilities in our communities. It’s also an opportunity to continue working toward a world where everyone has the chance to participate fully, access the supports they need, and be valued for who they are.

At Parent to Parent of Georgia, we believe inclusion means more than awareness. It means listening to self-advocates, supporting families, and building communities where people with developmental disabilities are welcomed, respected, and empowered.

Join us this month as we highlight resources, share stories, and celebrate the many ways people with developmental disabilities strengthen our communities.

💙💚

03/09/2026

Trump Account ($1000) for children under 18 years of age starts July 4, 2026: www.trumpaccounts.gov. For those with special-needs children and teens, consider the Able Account to transfer funds at age 18 so they will not be penalized for having over $ 2,000 in their bank account.

03/09/2026

When most parents hear iron deficiency, they think about anemia and fatigue.

But iron doesn’t just support red blood cells — it also plays an important role in brain function.

Iron is involved in dopamine production, a key brain pathway related to attention, motivation, learning, and impulse control.

Several studies have found that some children with ADHD symptoms may have lower ferritin levels (iron storage) compared with children without ADHD — even when their hemoglobin and standard blood counts are normal.

Ferritin reflects the body’s stored iron, and the brain depends on adequate iron for several important processes, including:

• Neurotransmitter production
• Brain development and signaling
• Sleep regulation

Low iron stores in children can sometimes show up as:

• Difficulty focusing
• Restless sleep or frequent night waking
• Irritability or mood swings
• Pale skin or fatigue
• Craving ice or non-food items (pica)

This does not mean iron deficiency causes ADHD.
But suboptimal iron levels may worsen attention, behavior, and sleep in some children.

At Greater Atlanta Integrative Pediatrics, our integrative approach sometimes includes looking beyond basic labs to evaluate nutritional status, diet patterns, and metabolic factors that may influence a child’s brain and development.

Because sometimes supporting the body’s underlying biology can help a child’s brain function the way it was designed to.

📍 If your child struggles with focus, sleep, or attention, nutrition may be one important piece of the puzzle.

03/07/2026

Parents often ask:

“Do I really need to worry about Lyme disease for my child?”

The honest answer is both yes and no.

📊 How common is Lyme disease in children?

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infection in the United States.

Recent estimates suggest about 476,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year.

Children are one of the most affected age groups, particularly those ages 5–9 years.

Why kids?

• more outdoor play
• contact with pets that carry ticks
• ticks are tiny and bites often go unnoticed

⚠️ Is it serious?

Most cases of Lyme disease are very treatable when caught early.

With appropriate antibiotics, most children recover completely.

However, untreated Lyme disease can affect:

• joints (Lyme arthritis)
• the nervous system
• the heart
• energy levels and overall wellbeing

That’s why recognizing symptoms early matters.

🧠 Why integrative pediatrics sometimes looks deeper

Many symptoms of Lyme disease in children are nonspecific, such as:

• fatigue
• headaches
• joint pain
• irritability
• sleep problems

These symptoms can overlap with other pediatric conditions, including immune or inflammatory disorders.

Functional and integrative pediatrics focuses on connecting the dots when symptoms don’t fully add up.

👩‍⚕️ What parents should remember

You don’t need to panic about Lyme disease.

But it’s helpful to be aware of:

• tick exposure
• unusual or persistent symptoms
• sudden changes in health after outdoor activity

Good pediatric care is about thoughtful evaluation — not fear.

At Greater Atlanta Integrative Pediatrics, we combine evidence-based pediatrics with a root-cause approach to help families understand what may be affecting their child’s health.

03/05/2026

One of the most stressful things for parents is when their child suddenly seems… different.

You may notice:

• sudden anxiety or panic
• intense emotional outbursts
• new tics or repetitive behaviors
• sleep disruption
• regression in school or behavior
• complaints of headaches or body pain
• extreme fatigue

Parents often assume it’s:

➡️ stress
➡️ development
➡️ behavior issues

But sometimes doctors look deeper at possible medical triggers.

Two conditions pediatric specialists may consider are PANS/PANDAS and Lyme disease.

🦠 Possible Infection-Triggered Brain Inflammation (PANS/PANDAS)

In some children, the immune system reacts strongly after infections like strep or other microbes, which can affect the brain.

Signs doctors look for include:

✔ sudden OCD behaviors
✔ new tics
✔ intense separation anxiety
✔ emotional volatility
✔ food restriction
✔ sleep disturbances

The key clue is very sudden onset.

🦠 Possible Tick-Borne Infection (Lyme Disease)

Lyme disease can affect the nervous system, joints, and energy levels, and symptoms in kids may include:

✔ fatigue
✔ headaches
✔ joint pain
✔ irritability
✔ sleep issues
✔ facial drooping (Bell’s palsy)
✔ rash (sometimes)

Many children never remember a tick bite.

🔍 Why Pediatric Evaluation Matters

These conditions are uncommon, but they are important not to miss, especially when symptoms appear suddenly.

Evaluation may include:

• medical history
• infection history
• physical exam
• targeted lab testing when appropriate

The goal isn’t to label a child.

The goal is to find the reason for the change.

👩‍⚕️ What Parents Should Remember

If your child suddenly changes in behavior, mood, or energy:

Trust your instincts.

Sometimes the brain is reacting to something happening in the body. And we here at GAIP, look at both!

03/03/2026

Lyme disease in KIDS can be sneaky.

Yes, the classic rash (erythema migrans) is a big clue—but not every child gets the textbook “bullseye,” and many kids don’t remember a tick bite.

When we think about Lyme more seriously (especially in kids with special needs):

‼️New or worsening fatigue / “crashed” energy
‼️ New or worsening fatigue / “crashed” energy
‼️ Migrating joint pain or swollen joints
‼️ Facial droop (Bell’s palsy)
‼️ New sleep disruption
‼️ Big shift in irritability, behavior, or sensory tolerance after outdoor exposure or illness

Why this matters in autism/sensory kids:
When a child already struggles with communication or sensory processing, symptoms like pain, headache, dizziness, or sleep disruption may show up as meltdowns, regression, or agitation—not a neat list of symptoms.

Evidence-based care starts with: history + exam + the right testing at the right time.
No panic. No guessing. Just good medicine.

02/28/2026

Sick today. Seen today.

Let’s be real: when your child wakes up sick, you don’t want a voicemail, a 3-day wait, or an urgent care line that feels like Disney World on spring break.

At GAIP, we offer same-day sick visits so your child can be seen quickly—without the chaos.

From fevers and ear pain to mystery symptoms that don’t feel “normal,” we make space for what matters: your child’s health, right now.

✨ Fast access
✨ Thoughtful, whole-child care
✨ Less stress for parents, more answers for kids

📞 Call to schedule a same-day visit: 404-751-3693 #1

Greater Atlanta Integrative Pediatrics | Roswell, Georgia
Dr. Maia Gaither, MD | Pediatrician
Kimberly Steinberg, APRN, CPNP-PC
Lady Collings, APRN, CPNP-PC
Meagan Darling, APRN, CPNP-PC

02/25/2026

Bringing Pediatrics Back Home 🏡

The first couple of days with a newborn are beautiful… and exhausting.

At Greater Atlanta Integrative Pediatrics (GAIP), we offer newborn house calls for babies aged 2-5 days, so families can receive personalized medical care in the comfort of their own home.

No packing up the baby.
No crowded waiting rooms.
No added stress.

Just thoughtful, unrushed care — where your baby is most comfortable.

We also offer prenatal consultations for expecting parents who want to:

• Ask questions before delivery
• Discuss birth preferences
• Understand newborn care and feeding
• Learn about our integrative approach
• Build a relationship with your pediatric provider before baby arrives

Parent confidence starts before the hospital bag is packed.

Serving families throughout the North Atlanta area.
📞 404-751-3693
🌐 Learn more at GAIP’s website www.gaipinc.com

02/24/2026

If your child is battling PANS/PANDAS, you already know the rollercoaster of symptoms—OCD, tics, rage, anxiety, brain fog. 💔 Antibiotics can help, but they’re only part of the solution.

👉 This is an immune + brain + gut issue—and if inflammation isn’t addressed, recovery can stall.

⚡️ Key Nutritional Supports for Healing:
💚 Gut-healing foods (bone broth, fermented foods, fiber)
💚 Anti-inflammatory nutrients (omega-3s, berries, turmeric)
💚 Brain-repair nutrients (choline, B vitamins, healthy fats)

💥 Food is medicine when the brain and immune system are under attack.

💡 Real talk: You can’t medicate your way out of inflammation without fixing what fuels it.

02/23/2026

If your child with PANS/PANDAS has sudden rage, meltdowns, or anxiety, it might not just be the inflammation — blood sugar crashes can make brain symptoms worse!

⚠️ What happens when blood sugar drops?

Mood swings & panic
⛑️ Sudden aggression or tears
⛑️ Shaky, irritable, and "out of control"

💡 Stable meals = stable brain. Here's how to help:
✅ Protein + fat with every meal/snack (think eggs, nut butters, avocado)
✅ Avoid processed carbs alone (no crackers-only snacks!)
✅ Regular meal timing — don’t skip meals!

✨ Balancing blood sugar is brain inflammation 101 — start there.

02/22/2026

If your child has PANS/PANDAS, some foods may quietly fuel brain inflammation — making tics, OCD, rage, and anxiety worse.

⚠️ Top Food Triggers to Watch:
❌ Gluten — worsens gut inflammation and brain fog
❌ Dairy — increases inflammation in sensitive kids
❌ Artificial dyes/preservatives — can trigger behavior storms
❌ Excess sugar — major inflammation booster

💡 When to test for food triggers?

→Ongoing flares with no known infection
→Gut issues (constipation, diarrhea, bloating)
→New or worsening behaviors

✨ Food can be fuel or fire — know the difference.

02/21/2026

If your child with PANS/PANDAS has sudden rage, meltdowns, or anxiety, it might not just be the inflammation — blood sugar crashes can make brain symptoms worse!

⚠️ What happens when blood sugar drops?

⛑️ Mood swings & panic
⛑️ Sudden aggression or tears
⛑️ Shaky, irritable, and "out of control"

💡 Stable meals = stable brain. Here's how to help:
✅ Eat protein + fat with every meal/snack (think eggs, nut butters, and avocado).
✅ Avoid eating processed carbs alone (no crackers-only snacks!).
✅ Regular meal timing — don’t skip meals!

✨ Balancing blood sugar is brain inflammation 101 — start there.