Question
My child is 3.5 years old and often blinks and has a runny nose. How should I handle it?
Answer
It should be considered that the child may have a tic disorder. Treatment for tic disorder includes psychological behavioral therapy, medication, and physical therapy. If the symptoms are not very frequent, medication treatment can be avoided initially, with psychological behavioral therapy being the main approach. Parents should explain the nature of the disease to their child to avoid excessive anxiety and tension, which can eliminate the reinforcing effect caused by parents’ tension and excessive attention. For the child’s tic behaviors, a non-attentional attitude should be adopted, allowing the symptoms to gradually diminish and disappear. Do not constantly remind or scold the child, as this will further excite the cerebral cortex, making tics more frequent. Efforts should be made to distract the child’s attention and guide them to participate in various meaningful activities.