By Dr. Tamara Zach MD — May 24, 2026
Understanding Pediatric Epilepsy in the East Valley
For families in Chandler, Gilbert, and the surrounding East Valley communities, a child's first seizure can be one of the most frightening experiences a parent can face. Whether it happened at school, at a summer swim meet, or at home during the hottest part of an Arizona afternoon, the questions that follow are immediate and urgent: Was that a seizure? Will it happen again? What do we do now?
At Rose Medical Pavilion, Dr. Tamara Zach MD provides specialized pediatric neurology care to families throughout the Phoenix metro area, including those making the drive from Gilbert and Chandler. This post is designed to help East Valley parents understand the signs of childhood epilepsy, what to expect during the diagnostic process, and what modern treatment looks like for kids in our region.
What Is Pediatric Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is defined as a neurological condition in which a child has two or more unprovoked seizures — meaning seizures that occur without an identifiable trigger like fever, low blood sugar, or head trauma. It is one of the most common neurological disorders in children, affecting approximately 1 in 100 kids in the United States.
Seizures happen when a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain temporarily disrupts normal communication between nerve cells. Importantly, not every seizure means a child has epilepsy, and not every child who is diagnosed with epilepsy will require lifelong medication. Early, accurate diagnosis is the foundation of good outcomes — which is why connecting with an pediatric epilepsy specialist matters so much.
Recognizing the Signs: What Seizures Look Like in Children
One reason epilepsy can be challenging to identify in children is that seizures don't always look the way they do in movies. Many parents expect dramatic, full-body convulsions — but childhood seizures are often far more subtle.
Common Seizure Types and Symptoms
- Absence seizures: Brief episodes of staring, blinking, or "zoning out" that last only seconds. Teachers sometimes notice these first, mistaking them for inattention or daydreaming.
- Focal (partial) seizures: Unusual movements, tingling, or sensations confined to one part of the body. A child may remain conscious but feel confused or frightened.
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures: The classic convulsive seizure, involving stiffening of the body followed by rhythmic jerking, loss of consciousness, and fatigue afterward.
- Myoclonic seizures: Sudden, brief muscle jerks — often in the morning — that can be mistaken for clumsiness or startling.
- Febrile seizures: Triggered by high fever and common in children ages 6 months to 5 years. While usually benign, they warrant medical evaluation, especially here in Arizona where summer heat can accelerate fever onset rapidly.
If your child has episodes of any kind that seem out of the ordinary — especially staring spells, unusual movements, or unexplained confusion — it is worth speaking with a pediatric neurologist. You can also read more on our pediatric seizures page for a broader overview of seizure types and first-aid guidance.
Diagnosing Epilepsy: What the Process Looks Like
A thorough evaluation by a board-certified pediatric neurologist like Dr. Tamara Zach MD is essential to confirm an epilepsy diagnosis and identify the specific seizure type. This matters because treatment is highly individualized — the right medication or therapy for one epilepsy syndrome may be entirely wrong for another.
Key Diagnostic Tools
The cornerstone of epilepsy diagnosis is the electroencephalogram (EEG), a non-invasive test that records the brain's electrical activity through sensors placed on the scalp. A pediatric EEG can help identify abnormal brainwave patterns associated with specific epilepsy syndromes, even when recorded between seizures. At Rose Medical Pavilion, we take extra care to make the EEG experience as calm and child-friendly as possible.
In addition to EEG, Dr. Zach may recommend:
- MRI of the brain — to look for structural changes or lesions that may be contributing to seizure activity
- Blood work and metabolic panels — to rule out underlying conditions such as electrolyte imbalances or genetic metabolic disorders
- Detailed developmental and neurological history — including birth history, developmental milestones, and family history of seizures
Treatment Options for Children with Epilepsy
The good news is that epilepsy is highly treatable. Studies consistently show that approximately 70% of children with epilepsy achieve complete or near-complete seizure control with the right anti-seizure medication. For those who don't respond to medication alone, additional options exist.
Medication Management
Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) remain the most common first-line treatment. Dr. Zach carefully considers each child's specific epilepsy type, age, weight, and overall health when selecting a medication. Families receive thorough counseling on dosing, potential side effects, and what to monitor at home.
Dietary Therapies
For children with medication-resistant epilepsy, the ketogenic diet and its variants have strong evidence for seizure reduction. These high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets are managed with guidance from a specialized dietitian and close neurological oversight.
Advanced and Surgical Options
In select cases, surgical evaluation, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), or responsive neurostimulation may be considered. Dr. Zach coordinates closely with pediatric epilepsy surgery programs in the Phoenix area when these pathways are appropriate.
Arizona-Specific Resources for Families
Families navigating a new epilepsy diagnosis in the East Valley have access to meaningful local support. Arizona's AHCCCS (the state Medicaid program) covers neurological evaluations and ongoing epilepsy management for eligible children, and many families in Chandler and Gilbert qualify. For younger children showing developmental concerns alongside seizure activity, the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) can coordinate therapeutic services for children under age three at no cost to families.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona, based in Phoenix, also offers community resources, family support groups, and school accommodation guidance — particularly valuable as families work with teachers in local Chandler Unified and Gilbert Unified school districts to build appropriate safety plans.
Schedule an Evaluation at Rose Medical Pavilion
If your child has had a seizure — or if you've noticed episodes that concern you — early evaluation by a specialist makes a meaningful difference. Dr. Tamara Zach MD and the team at Rose Medical Pavilion provide compassionate, evidence-based pediatric neurology care to families throughout Chandler, Gilbert, and the greater Phoenix East Valley. Learn more about Dr. Tamara Zach MD and our approach to care, and then take the next step: reach out to our office to schedule a consultation. Your child's neurological health is worth a closer look.
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.