Who are possible members of my child’s health care team?

PROVIDERS

DESCRIPTION

Pediatrician

This is a doctor who specializes in the care and treatment of children. This is usually the first doctor to see your child for evaluation. This person may be your child’s primary care provider. This doctor may run tests for epilepsy. He or she may refer your child to a neurologist.14

Neurologist

This is a doctor with special training in disorders of the brain, including epilepsy, and other parts of the nervous system.14

Pediatric Neurologist

This is a neurologist who specializes in children.14

Epileptologist

This is a neurologist with specialty training in epilepsy and spends most of the time treating people with epilepsy. For routine treatment of epilepsy, it is usually not necessary to see an epileptologist. However, if a seizure disorder is difficult to treat (refractory), an epileptologist can be helpful. If possible, a consultation with an epileptologist with new onset epilepsy is a good idea. Consultation may be helpful at stages of life, such as counseling about pregnancy and childbirth.14

Neuropsychologist

This is a psychologist with training in the neurobiological causes of brain disorders.14

Pediatric Nurse

This is a health care provider educated and trained to care for children who are sick or have a disability.14

Pediatric Epilepsy Nurse

This is a nurse with extra training in pediatrics and neurology.14

Nurse Practitioner

This is a registered nurse who has advanced training in the diagnosis and management of common medical conditions.14

Community Health Aide/Practitioner

A CHA/P may be the only local medical provider in a village. CHA/Ps usually have a level of medical training that includes dealing with seizures.

School Nurse

The level of training of school nurses varies greatly. If there is a school nurse at your child’s school, that person will need to know as much as possible about your child’s seizures.

Public Health Nurse

Outside of the urban areas, and where there are no school nurses or CHA/Ps, a PHN might be a regular, itinerant health care provider who will help with your child’s healthcare.