By Dr. Tamara Zach MD — May 24, 2026
understanding pediatric epilepsy in the East Valley
A child's first seizure terrifies parents. Maybe it happened at school, at a summer swim meet, or at home during the hottest part of an Arizona afternoon. The questions come fast: Was that a seizure? Will it happen again? What do we do now?
At Rose Medical Pavilion, Dr. Tamara Zach MD treats families across the Phoenix metro area, including those driving in from Gilbert and Chandler. Here's what East Valley parents should know about the signs of childhood epilepsy, the diagnostic process, and what treatment looks like for kids in our region.
what is pediatric epilepsy?
Epilepsy means a child has had two or more unprovoked seizures, meaning seizures that happen without a clear trigger like fever, low blood sugar, or head trauma. About 1 in 100 children in the United States has it, making it one of the more common neurological disorders in kids.
Seizures happen when a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain interrupts normal communication between nerve cells. But a single seizure doesn't mean a child has epilepsy, and a diagnosis doesn't automatically mean lifelong medication. Accurate diagnosis early on shapes everything that follows, which is why seeing a pediatric epilepsy specialist matters.
recognizing the signs: what seizures look like in children
Childhood seizures rarely look the way they do in movies. Parents expect dramatic, full-body convulsions. Most childhood seizures are quieter than that, which is part of why they're easy to miss.
common seizure types and symptoms
- Absence seizures: Brief episodes of staring, blinking, or zoning out that last only seconds. Teachers often spot these first and mistake them for inattention or daydreaming.
- Focal (partial) seizures: Unusual movements, tingling, or sensations in one part of the body. A child may stay conscious but feel confused or frightened.
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures: The classic convulsive seizure, with the body stiffening, then rhythmic jerking, loss of consciousness, and fatigue afterward.
- Myoclonic seizures: Sudden, brief muscle jerks, often in the morning, sometimes mistaken for clumsiness or startling.
- Febrile seizures: Triggered by high fever and common in children from 6 months to 5 years. They're usually harmless but still need a medical evaluation, especially in Arizona, where summer heat can drive a fever up fast.
If your child has episodes that seem out of the ordinary, particularly staring spells, unusual movements, or unexplained confusion, talk with a pediatric neurologist. Our pediatric seizures page covers more seizure types and first-aid guidance.
diagnosing epilepsy: what the process looks like
A board-certified pediatric neurologist like Dr. Tamara Zach MD confirms the diagnosis and identifies the specific seizure type. That distinction drives treatment. The right medication for one epilepsy syndrome can be exactly wrong for another.
key diagnostic tools
The electroencephalogram (EEG) sits at the center of epilepsy diagnosis. It's a non-invasive test that records the brain's electrical activity through sensors placed on the scalp. A pediatric EEG can catch abnormal brainwave patterns tied to specific epilepsy syndromes, even when recorded between seizures. At Rose Medical Pavilion, we work to make the EEG calm and child-friendly.
Dr. Zach may also recommend:
- MRI of the brain to look for structural changes or lesions behind the seizure activity
- Blood work and metabolic panels to rule out conditions like electrolyte imbalances or genetic metabolic disorders
- Detailed developmental and neurological history, including birth history, developmental milestones, and any family history of seizures
treatment options for children with epilepsy
Epilepsy responds well to treatment. About 70% of children with epilepsy reach complete or near-complete seizure control on the right anti-seizure medication. For the kids who don't, other options exist.
medication management
Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) are the usual first-line treatment. Dr. Zach weighs each child's epilepsy type, age, weight, and overall health when choosing one. Families get full counseling on dosing, side effects, and what to watch for at home.
dietary therapies
For children whose seizures resist medication, the ketogenic diet and its variants have solid evidence behind them. These high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets run with help from a specialized dietitian and close neurological oversight.
advanced and surgical options
Some cases call for surgical evaluation, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), or responsive neurostimulation. Dr. Zach coordinates with pediatric epilepsy surgery programs in the Phoenix area when these paths fit.
Arizona resources for families
East Valley families facing a new diagnosis have real local support. Arizona's AHCCCS (the state Medicaid program) covers neurological evaluations and ongoing epilepsy management for eligible children, and plenty of families in Chandler and Gilbert qualify. For younger children with developmental concerns alongside seizures, the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) coordinates therapeutic services for kids under three at no cost.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona in Phoenix runs community resources, family support groups, and school accommodation guidance. That last one helps when families work with teachers in the Chandler Unified and Gilbert Unified school districts to set up safety plans.
schedule an evaluation at Rose Medical Pavilion
If your child has had a seizure, or you've noticed episodes that worry you, seeing a specialist early changes outcomes. Dr. Tamara Zach MD and the team at Rose Medical Pavilion provide evidence-based pediatric neurology care to families across Chandler, Gilbert, and the greater Phoenix East Valley. Read more about Dr. Tamara Zach MD and how we work, then reach out to our office to schedule a consultation.
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.