By Dr. Tamara Zach MD — June 14, 2026
what absence seizures actually are
Your child suddenly "zones out" for a few seconds. They stare blankly, don't respond to your voice, then snap back as if nothing happened. That's likely an absence seizure, not daydreaming, and it needs a doctor's attention. Dr. Tamara Zach MD at Rose Medical Pavilion treats children with staring spells and absence epilepsy across the Phoenix area, and she wants parents to recognize what they're seeing and act on it.
Absence seizures, once called petit mal seizures, are a form of generalized epilepsy. They show up most often in school-age children between 4 and 12. They don't look like the convulsions most people picture with epilepsy. They're quiet and short, which is exactly why they get missed or mistaken for an attention problem.
what to watch for
Absence seizures last about 5 to 30 seconds, and they often come in clusters, sometimes dozens of times a day. Here's what they look like:
- Sudden, brief staring spells with no apparent cause
- No response during the episode — your child won't react to their name or a touch
- Subtle eye fluttering or upward eye deviation
- Slight lip smacking or small repetitive hand movements
- Stopping and restarting an activity mid-task
- No memory of the episode afterward
- Immediate return to normal, with no confusion or drowsiness
Since children bounce back so fast, parents and teachers usually assume the child just lost focus. Plenty of Phoenix families come to Rose Medical Pavilion only after a teacher noticed the behavior in class. Take school observations seriously.
how doctors diagnose it
A pediatric neurologist needs to do a full evaluation. Dr. Zach starts with a detailed developmental and medical history, then a neurological exam. The diagnosis comes down to the pediatric EEG, which measures the brain's electrical activity. In children with absence epilepsy, the EEG shows a distinctive 3-Hz spike-and-wave pattern that makes for a confident diagnosis.
Sometimes Dr. Zach recommends brain imaging like an MRI to rule out structural causes, especially when the seizures look atypical. Getting the diagnosis right matters because absence epilepsy can be confused with focal seizures, ADHD-related inattention, and even pediatric headaches such as migraine with aura.
treatment that works
Absence seizures are among the more treatable forms of pediatric epilepsy. Most children respond well to anti-seizure medication, and most outgrow the condition by their teens. Dr. Zach works with each family to pick an approach that's safe, effective, and fits a kid's actual schedule, including school, sports, and the activities that keep active Phoenix families busy.
Medications commonly used
Ethosuximide is usually the first choice for childhood absence epilepsy, with a strong safety record in children. Valproic acid works too, but gets used more selectively because of its side effects. Lamotrigine often comes up when other medications aren't tolerated.
Regular follow-ups let Dr. Zach check whether the medication is working, adjust the dose as your child grows, and figure out when it might make sense to taper off treatment.
living with it in phoenix
Managing a child's epilepsy goes past the prescription. You have to adapt daily life to keep them safe. Arizona's summer heat matters here. Dehydration and overheating can lower seizure thresholds in some children, so keep kids well-hydrated during outdoor activities, especially through our brutal summer months.
School and safety planning
Children with absence epilepsy qualify for accommodations under a 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Dr. Zach can provide documentation to back up those accommodations, including extended test time, preferential seating, and seizure action plans for teachers and staff. Talk to your child's school. Frequent staring spells during class can drag down learning and grades when nobody addresses them.
Arizona resources for families
Arizona families have a few resources worth knowing. If your child has absence epilepsy along with developmental concerns, the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) may provide services for kids under age three. For families facing financial barriers, AHCCCS (Arizona's Medicaid program) covers pediatric neurology visits and EEG testing for eligible children, so cost shouldn't stop you from getting an evaluation.
when to call a pediatric neurologist
Trust your gut. If your child has episodes that look like staring spells, even brief ones, even rare ones, get a specialist to look. Earlier diagnosis means earlier treatment, better seizure control, and less disruption to school and development. Absence seizures that hit many times a day can quietly chip away at a child's ability to learn, pay attention, and connect with other kids.
Dr. Tamara Zach MD specializes in childhood epilepsy and neurological conditions, and she sees families throughout Phoenix and the Valley. Whether you want a first opinion or a second look at a diagnosis you already have, she's thorough, compassionate, and focused on giving families clear answers.
book a consultation at rose medical pavilion
If you're worried about staring spells or you suspect absence seizures, don't sit on it. The team at Rose Medical Pavilion can give you clarity and a care plan built around your child. Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Tamara Zach MD today.
Schedule an Appointment
Questions about your child's neurological health? Dr. Tamara Zach MD at Rose Medical Pavilion is here to help. Call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) or schedule online.