By Dr. Tamara Zach MD — June 28, 2026
Most parents never expect to need a child neurologist in Phoenix. Then something happens — a seizure, a staring spell, a sudden regression in speech — and the pediatrician says it's time for a specialist. This guide explains what a pediatric neurologist actually does, which symptoms warrant a referral, and what a first appointment looks like at Rose Medical Pavilion.
what a child neurologist does
A child neurologist, also called a pediatric neurologist, is a physician who specializes in disorders of the nervous system in infants, children, and teenagers. The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. When something goes wrong in that system — whether from a seizure disorder, a developmental condition, or a structural problem — a pediatric neurologist is the specialist trained to find it and manage it.
Dr. Tamara Zach, MD FAAN, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified pediatric neurologist at Rose Medical Pavilion serving families across the Phoenix metro. Her training covers the full range of childhood neurological conditions, from common problems like ADHD and headaches to more complex ones like epilepsy and developmental delays.
signs your child may need a child neurologist
Your pediatrician may refer you directly, but parents in Phoenix often ask their own questions first. These are the most common reasons families come to see a child neurologist:
- Seizures or epilepsy — any event involving shaking, stiffening, staring, or a sudden loss of awareness that lasts seconds or longer
- Developmental delays — a child who is late to walk, talk, or reach milestones, or who loses skills they previously had
- Severe or frequent headaches — especially migraines that interrupt school or daily life, or headaches that wake a child from sleep
- ADHD with complexity — when attention problems come with tics, seizures, learning disabilities, or other neurological findings
- Tics or Tourette syndrome — repetitive movements or sounds that have been present for more than a year
- Autism spectrum disorder evaluation — when a child needs a neurological workup alongside the behavioral assessment
- Head injury follow-up — post-concussion symptoms that don't clear within a few weeks
- Muscle weakness or coordination problems — a child who trips often, has poor grip strength, or shows a change in how they walk
when to go to the ER versus schedule a neurology appointment
If your child has a first-time seizure lasting more than five minutes, multiple seizures in one day, or any neurological event with difficulty breathing — go to the emergency room. For everything else, a scheduled appointment with a child neurologist in Phoenix is the right move. Dr. Zach's office offers same-week appointments for urgent neurological concerns, so you don't have to wait weeks for answers.
what happens at a first appointment
The first visit to a child neurologist is longer than a typical pediatric check-up. At Rose Medical Pavilion, Dr. Zach takes a thorough history that covers your child's birth and prenatal history, developmental milestones, school performance, family medical history, and what symptoms prompted the visit. She then does a complete neurological examination, checking reflexes, coordination, strength, vision, and mental status.
Based on what she finds, she may order additional testing:
- EEG (electroencephalogram) — records brain wave activity to look for seizure patterns
- MRI of the brain — imaging to check brain structure, done only when the clinical picture warrants it
- Blood or genetic testing — when a metabolic or genetic condition is in the differential
- Nerve conduction studies — when muscle weakness or peripheral nerve disease is suspected
Not every child needs all of these. Many children leave their first visit with a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan without any additional testing.
finding a child neurologist in Phoenix who takes new patients
Access to pediatric neurology in Phoenix can be limited. Large hospital systems often have wait times of three to six months for new patients. Rose Medical Pavilion was built specifically to address that gap. Dr. Zach accepts new patients and maintains a calendar that allows her to see urgent cases within the same week when possible.
She sees children from across the Phoenix metro — Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Glendale, and surrounding areas — for the full range of childhood neurological conditions.
questions parents ask most often
Do I need a referral to see a child neurologist in Phoenix?
It depends on your insurance. Many plans require a referral from your primary care pediatrician before covering a specialist visit. Call your insurance first to confirm. If you're unsure, Rose Medical Pavilion's front desk can help you figure out what you need before you schedule.
What age does a child neurologist see?
Dr. Zach sees patients from infancy through young adulthood. Most of her patients are between one and eighteen years old, though she evaluates newborns referred from the NICU and continues care for teenagers transitioning to adult neurology.
Is a child neurologist the same as a pediatric psychiatrist?
No. A child neurologist focuses on the structure and function of the nervous system — seizures, movement, muscle disease, developmental delays, and brain conditions. A pediatric psychiatrist focuses on mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and psychosis. There is overlap in conditions like ADHD, where both can be involved, but the training and approach are different.
taking the next step
If you've been told your child needs to see a neurologist, or if you've noticed symptoms that concern you, Dr. Tamara Zach MD at Rose Medical Pavilion is here to help. She's one of the few fellowship-trained, board-certified child neurologists serving Phoenix, AZ in private practice, and she takes the time to explain what she finds and what it means for your child.
Call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) or schedule online. Same-week appointments are available for urgent concerns.