Emily Simpson from RHOC Provides Update on Her Son’s PANDAS Diagnosis
The Real Housewives of Orange County star Emily Simpson continues to seek answers as her son Luke undergoes treatment for PANDAS and ARFID.
“I’m not sure if Luke is showing any improvement. We’re still facing many of the same challenges, and we’ve attempted a few different strategies,” Emily, 50, exclusively told Us on Friday, August 14, while promoting the 20th season of the Bravo reality series. “It’s tough for me as a mom because I want to fix everything, but I can’t tell if what we’re doing is working.”
In the season 19 premiere of RHOC back in July 2025, Emily disclosed that her 11-year-old son was diagnosed with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
As per the Cleveland Clinic, ARFID is a condition that restricts a person’s food consumption. Individuals with this eating disorder may lose interest in eating, feel anxious about the effects of eating, and avoid foods based on their color, taste, texture, or smell.
After sharing her son’s journey, Emily received valuable suggestions from viewers for further tests. Luke was subsequently diagnosed with PANDAS, which refers to a group of autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders linked to strep throat.
“I find myself torn between seeking out new therapies for him or accepting that Luke is simply Luke, and maybe he doesn’t require therapy or IVIG treatment,” Emily shared with Us. “Determining whether I’m making the right choices for him is challenging.”
Last year, Emily — who shares daughter Annabelle, 13, and son Keller, 11, with husband Shane Simpson — confirmed to Us that Luke had a laser brain procedure. When asked about the procedure on Friday, the reality star expressed uncertainty regarding its effectiveness.
“We attempted IVIG therapy, which involves an infusion of antibodies taking around six hours. He needed to sit on a couch while a nurse administered the infusion,” Emily explained. “The protocol requires six sessions, but we have only completed one so far, and I’m struggling with the decision to proceed with the remaining infusions. It’s a difficult dilemma.”
Luke experienced some “severe reactions” to the treatment, such as migraines and nausea, leading Emily to reconsider her next steps.
“As a mother, it’s challenging for me to say, ‘Okay, now we need to try again,’ and that’s where my struggle lies,” she admitted. “However, I have a community of moms, my PANDAS support group, who have shared that this treatment has notably helped their children with PANDAS. Thus, I’m in a conflict between proceeding or just allowing Luke to be himself.”
Emily’s transparency regarding her son’s health challenges has resonated with many viewers, providing them with a sense of connection in navigating similar situations.
Emily, who also hosts the iHeartRadio podcast “Legally Brunette”, mentioned that her Instagram DMs are overwhelmed with messages from parents who empathize with her family’s challenges. The supportive notes remind her that sharing Luke’s experience is valuable.
“My motivation for sharing and navigating this intensely difficult time (both in real life and on camera) was that I knew I’d receive more insights, support, and feedback than any therapist or doctor could provide. Bravo fans are wonderful and caring, and I was right!” Emily shared via Instagram in July 2025. “Thank you all for the information and support! Please keep it coming and encourage your children to be kind to those who might be a little different ❤️❤️.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs on Bravo Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET. Stream new episodes the following day on Peacock.
