Q I have a son who is four years of age and not talking much. Though he's in school and does the work given, most times I am still concerned about his speech. His paediatrician has assured me that he's just a late talker as he himself was. I have done the hearing test at the Jamaica Association for the Deaf; the results were normal. I don't know what to do! Is there anywhere or anyone you can refer me to to get an assessment done, or should I just sit and wait?

Please advise me the best way you can.

A I think that if your paediatrician had found any problems with his throat or anything else that would affect his speech, he would have referred you to an otolarynologist (ENT specialist). If you see no growth in your son's speech in six months, please ask your paediatrician for another evaluation.

Should she be reading better?

Q My daughter, who turns seven in January, is not reading like her brother did. They both are at the same school and had the same teachers. What could account for the difference?

A Your children are two different individuals. As a parent, you can encourage her to read more by having special fun reading times with her. If she is reading a grade or more below her age level, you should get her tested by a reading specialist or a psychologist.

The students are afraid of my epileptic son

Q My son is epileptic and I told the teacher. She told my child's class and now the other children are scared to be around him. He takes his medication at home and has had no episodes at school in the last two years. How can I help the children to be more sensitive?

A You need to speak with the guidance counsellor at the school. He or she will help you to have a session with your son's classmates to help them to be more sensitive and kind to your son.

Orlean Brown-Earle, PhD, is a child psychologist and family therapist. Dr Brown-Earle works with children with learning and behaviour problems throughout the island and in the Caribbean. Email questions to helpline@gleanerjm.com, or send to Ask the Doc, c/o The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston. Responses to concerns are to be considered as general as cases shared with psychologists privately would be queried more deeply. Pray always!