Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Decoding tears

2007; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 60; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/01.hj.0000286721.75735.97

2333-6218

Jacqueline Scholl,

Ocular Surface and Contact Lens

Figure: Jacqueline Rogers SchollLoving to work with children is different from having to live with them. I never worried about it be-cause I was sure I'd have a litter of puppies instead. But having my son changed my world and the way I saw it. I always loved working with children, but my approach to pediatric audiology was all wrong. I didn't know “the code,” and none of the books on my shelf taught me what my son did. Here are some clues to help you decode your pediatric patients' behavior. Clue 1: Why babies cry—a lot! Crying is the only way babies have to communicate, so they do it a lot. These are easy codes to decipher. Are they hungry, tired, uncomfortable, sick, or have a dirty diaper? Also, some babies cry more because they are more sensitive to their surroundings than others. Waving toys around will over-stimulate some babies. Keep a blanket handy to “burrito-wrap” babies and let mom or dad feed, burp, and change them in a dimly lit room. Your chances of getting good test results are better if the baby is comfortable. Clue 2: Toddlers are curious Decoding toddlers is more difficult. In fact, they are undeniably the most challenging population to work with. Toddlers want to be in control and they get frustrated easily. Also, a medical office is a scary place because what happens there is often painful. Toddlers use past experiences to interpret the present. So, don't tell them “it won't hurt” because they won't believe you even if it's true. Instead, take this opportunity to do the unexpected. Trying to balance a toy on your nose can buy you the time you need to obtain information. Whether it's entertaining or just plain weird, doing this kind of thing usually helps. Brightly colored toys balanced on your head or a cheap bottle of bubbles works wonders. Stickers are also interesting when stuck on your eyes or nose. Clue 3: Toddlers are stubborn No matter how many tricks you have up your sleeve, you sometimes encounter a child who kicks and screams. Try not to torture the little darling. Instead, reschedule to another day during a time when the child is well rested and fed. Clue 4: Never ask Never ask a toddler if you can do something. The answer will always be “NO!” Tell the child what You're going to do and do it. Clue 5: Toddlers get bored easily If you haven't changed your toys recently, a trip to your office is probably pretty boring for a repeat patient. Buy some plastic fish and a bucket at the local dollar store. Fill the bucket with water and try dropping fish instead of blocks. Or find a basketball hoop with suction cups that attach to your booth wall and shoot baskets. Tomy sells a wonderful Pop-Up Pirate game for $11.99. Use your imagination and make things fun. Mystery solved Toys play an important role. The local dollar store is full of interesting items that don't cost a fortune. Rhode Island Novelty (www.rinovelty.com) has a variety of fiber-optic wands that light up, spin, and change colors. One of my favorites is the Dolphin Rainbow Fiber Optic Wand. Fisher Price Peek A Blocks are a good choice along with pop-up toys. The “Tangle” by Tangle Brand is a simple but intriguing toy. Avoid toys that over-stimulate or can't be easily cleaned. The most important part of breaking the code is having fun. Laughter is contagious. Try infecting your toddlers with lots of it!