Q. I am a counsellor in training. When parents come to my office, they say yes to everything. How can I determine if they truly understand what I have said?

A You can simply say, 'Now that we have shared with you what we think is the problem, do you have any questions? Or, 'Do you understand why we have made the following recommendations?' Remember that parents see you as an educated authority figure and may be still coping with the fact that they have to attend such a session with their child or children. Encourage them to review the information you have given them and give them your contact information so that they can get more answers if necessary.

What are auditory problems?

Q. What is the difference between auditory comprehension and auditory discrimination? A teacher says my son has serious auditory problems, which are affecting his learning.

A Auditory comprehension is the ability to understand what is heard. Auditory discrimination is the ability to detect the differences between sounds. I recommend that you take your child to a paediatrician, who will refer you to a hearing specialist if the doctor thinks that your child has an auditory (hearing) problem.

Child diagnosed with development delay

Q. My son, who was born abroad last year, was diagnosed with a developmental delay. We have been told to take him back in one year to determine the disability he has. Could you clarify this for us?

A The doctors may have noticed that your son is not moving or generally acting as a newborn should. Your son may need special services in the future. You can speak with a paediatric neurologist in Jamaica and get a second opinion.

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!