Your child is having frequent headaches. Or episodes where they seem to "zone out." Or maybe they're walking differently than before.

Are these normal? Growing pains? Or signs that need medical attention?

Pediatric neurological symptoms can be subtle and easy to dismiss but recognizing them early can protect your child's development. Many neurological conditions in children are highly treatable when caught early.

This guide covers the most important symptoms to watch for and when to seek help.

1. Seizures and Staring Spells

The Myth: All seizures involve dramatic shaking and falling.

The Reality: Many childhood seizures are subtle brief staring, unusual sensations, or small movements

Types to Recognize:

Generalized Seizures (Grand Mal):

• Loss of consciousness

• Body stiffening, then rhythmic jerking

• Lasts 1-3 minutes

• Confusion afterward

  Action: Any generalized seizure needs evaluation

Absence Seizures (Often Missed!):

• Brief staring (5-15 seconds)

• Stops mid-activity, blank expression

• No memory of episode

• Can happen dozens of times daily

• Often mistaken for: Daydreaming, inattention

  Action: Video an episode, show your doctor

Infantile Spasms (URGENT):

• Sudden body stiffening/bending in babies (3-12 months)

• Clusters of movements

• Occur when waking

  Action: Emergency treat within days to prevent regression

Febrile Seizures:

• Triggered by fever in children 6 months-5 years

• Usually brief, benign

• But first febrile seizure always needs evaluation

  
  

What to Do During a Seizure:

Stay calm, time it
Place on side (if unconscious)
Move objects away
Don't put anything in mouth
Don't restrain

Call an ambulance if: Seizure >5 minutes, multiple seizures, difficulty breathing, first seizure ever

2. Developmental Regression (ALWAYS URGENT)

Regression = losing previously acquired skills

This is different from:

• Delayed development (slow to acquire skills) can be normal

• Brief plateau can be typical

  
  

Examples of Regression:

• Used to say 20 words, now says none

• Was walking, now only crawls

• Lost eye contact

• Stopped responding to name

• Lost interest in previously enjoyed activities

  
  

Why It's Urgent:

• Can indicate epilepsy, metabolic conditions, autism, neurodegenerative disorders

• Some causes are medical emergencies

• Early treatment can prevent further loss

• Missing treatment window can mean permanent loss

Action: ANY regression needs urgent evaluation within days don't wait weeks.

3. Weakness, Walking Problems, Balance Issues

Weakness:

• Difficulty climbing stairs

• Frequent falling

• Can't jump when peers can

• One-sided weakness (could be stroke, even in kids!)

• Difficulty getting up from floor

Possible causes: Neuromuscular disorders, cerebral palsy, nerve conditions

Walking Problems:

• Persistent toe walking (after age 3)

• Limping without injury

• Wide-based gait

• Stumbling frequently

• One leg different from other

  
  

Balance/Coordination:

• Falls more than peers

• Poor coordination (can't catch ball, ride bike)

• Tremor or shakiness

  
  

Action:

• Emergency: Sudden weakness, especially one-sided

• Urgent: Progressive weakness, new gait problems

• Routine: Mild coordination issues

4. Frequent or Severe Headaches

Headaches are common in childhood (up to 75% by teens), but some need evaluation.

Red Flag Headaches (GO TO ER):

Sudden, severe ("worst headache ever")
After head injury
With fever, stiff neck, confusion (possible meningitis)
With vision changes, weakness, speech difficulty
Repeated vomiting (especially morning)Wakes child from sleep consistently

See Neurologist If:

• Headaches >2x per week

• Interfering with school or activities

• Getting worse over time

• Not responding to over-the-counter medication

• Causing child to miss activities

Why treatment matters: Chronic headaches shouldn't rob children of school, sports, and childhood. Most are very treatable!

Types of Headaches:

Tension headaches: Band-like pressure, mild-moderate, both sides (most common)

Migraines in kids: Throbbing pain, nausea, light/sound sensitivity, want to lie down. (In children: often both sides, shorter than adult migraines, more stomach symptoms)

5. Behavioral and Learning Changes

Children often mirror the emotional behaviors of adults around them. By showing patience, empathy, and calmness in challenging situations, you’re teaching your child how to manage their own emotions constructively.

Not all behavior problems are behavioral some have neurological causes.

When to Consider Neurological Evaluation:

• Sudden personality change (dramatic and persistent)

• Behavioral changes WITH seizures, headaches, or motor issues

• Treatment-resistant ADHD or ADHD WITH other neurological symptoms

• Learning problems WITH regression or physical symptoms

• Unusual sleep behaviors (extreme movements, acting out dreams)

The goal: Distinguish what's developmental/psychological from what's neurological.

When and How to Seek Help

EMERGENCY (Call 911 or Go to ER):

• Seizure >5 minutes

• Sudden severe headache

• Sudden weakness (especially one-sided)

• Suspected infantile spasms

• Headache with fever and stiff neck

  
  

URGENT (Within Days):

• Any regression

• First seizure (after emergency evaluation)

• Progressive weakness

• Recurrent staring spells

  
  

ROUTINE (Within Weeks):

• Frequent headaches

• Developmental concerns

• Mild gait problems

• Coordination difficulties

  
  

How to Prepare:

Document:

• When symptoms started

• How often they occur

• Duration

• What triggers them

• What makes them better/worse

Video episodes if possible incredibly helpful for diagnosis!

Gather:

• Medical records

• Test results

• Growth charts

• Family history