By Dr. Tamara Zach MD — May 20, 2026
understanding when your child needs a pediatric neurologist
Watching your child have a seizure, suffer through headaches, or fall behind developmentally without a clear reason is frightening. When symptoms like these show up, your pediatrician may send you to a child neurologist. Here's what that means and what happens next.
Dr. Tamara Zach MD practices pediatric neurology at Rose Medical Pavilion in Phoenix, working with families across the Valley. This guide covers what a pediatric neurologist does, which symptoms call for a specialist, and how care works here in Arizona.
what does a child neurologist do?
A pediatric neurologist finishes medical school, a residency in general pediatrics or internal medicine, and then three or more years of fellowship training focused on neurological conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. They treat the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles as these systems develop through childhood.
A children's neurologist knows how a child's developing nervous system differs from an adult's, and why that matters for diagnosis and treatment. A seizure that looks identical in a five-year-old and a fifty-year-old can have completely different causes, implications, and treatments.
Dr. Tamara Zach MD trained specifically in pediatric neurology and now sees patients at Rose Medical Pavilion, serving families throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, and the greater Maricopa County area.
common reasons parents seek a pediatric neurologist in phoenix
Referrals to a child neurologist in Phoenix come from pediatricians, school nurses, emergency departments, and parents themselves. The most frequent reasons families come in:
- Seizures or epilepsy. Whether your child had a single unexplained episode or has a diagnosed seizure disorder, they need ongoing neurological evaluation. Learn more about pediatric seizures and how they're evaluated and managed.
- Severe or recurring headaches. Migraines are more common in children than most parents realize. A specialist can tell migraine apart from other headache disorders and build a safe management plan. Read more about pediatric headaches and when they require specialist care.
- Developmental delays or regression. When a child isn't reaching expected milestones, or loses skills they'd already mastered, an evaluation can point to the cause.
- Tics, Tourette syndrome, and movement disorders. Repetitive involuntary movements or vocalizations upset children and families. Early evaluation clarifies the diagnosis and guides support.
- Concussion and head injuries. Arizona kids play a lot of sports, and head injuries need careful management to prevent lasting effects.
- Attention and behavioral concerns with a neurological component. Some attention or behavioral challenges have neurological roots that a specialist can assess.
what to expect at your first appointment
Plenty of parents arrive at their first neurology visit anxious, unsure what will happen or what to ask. At Rose Medical Pavilion, the aim is to leave families informed and supported from the start.
The Neurological History and Examination
Dr. Zach takes a detailed history, asking about pregnancy, birth, developmental milestones, family history of neurological conditions, and the specific symptoms that brought you in. A physical and neurological exam follows, checking reflexes, coordination, strength, cognition, and other functions appropriate for your child's age.
Diagnostic Testing When Needed
Depending on what's going on, your child may need more testing. That can include an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure brain wave activity, which matters most for children with possible seizure disorders. You can learn more about pediatric EEG testing and what it involves for younger patients. Brain imaging such as an MRI, bloodwork, or referrals to other specialists may also be part of the workup.
getting pediatric neurology care in arizona
Families in Phoenix face a few specific considerations when accessing specialty care. Here's what to know.
Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP)
For children under three with developmental concerns, Arizona's Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) provides evaluation and services at no cost to families. A pediatric neurology evaluation can run alongside AzEIP services so your child gets support during the early years of brain development.
AHCCCS and Insurance Coverage
Arizona's Medicaid program, AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System), covers pediatric neurology services for eligible families. Dr. Zach and the team at Rose Medical Pavilion know how Arizona insurance works and can help you through the referral and authorization process.
Heat-Related Neurological Considerations
Phoenix's summer heat matters for families managing certain neurological conditions. Children with epilepsy, for example, may have lower seizure thresholds when they're dehydrated or overheated. During Arizona summers, keep your child hydrated and limit hard outdoor activity during peak heat hours (usually 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
you don't have to wait for answers
Neurological symptoms in children feel frightening and isolating, and you don't have to handle them alone. Early evaluation often means faster answers, better treatment, and stronger long-term outcomes. Whether you already have a referral or you're just worried about something you've noticed, calling a specialist is a reasonable step.
To learn more about Dr. Zach's background and approach to patient care, visit the about Dr. Tamara Zach MD page.
When you're ready, schedule a consultation at Rose Medical Pavilion in Phoenix. Our team supports your family with compassionate, evidence-based pediatric neurology care.
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.