Q. I have a brother who is 29 years of age. When he was about 11 years old, he was diagnosed with a reading disability. The actual result of the assessment test was that he had the brain of a four-year-old. Do you think it's possible that his brain is fully developed so that he can make an attempt at academics again?

A. I think when the person who applied the test said he had a brain of a four-year-old, what was meant was that your brother, at 11 years of age, was thinking like a four-year-old. For example, an 11-year-old would be reading at least at the grade five level, but your brother at age 11, was reading at the kindergarten level then. What should have happened is that he should have been placed in a special school that would have helped him to learn more. He can still learn at 29, but it will take a professional with special skills to help him. Please call the Jamaican Association on Mental Retardation at 977-0134 and ask it to help you.

Q. My 12-year-old son is worried about the hurricane season. He is scared our roof will go again. How do I let him know that all will be OK?

A. Have your son be part of the family team that prepares for the hurricane. Let a professional check the roof to see if it will be able to withstand a hurricane. Help him by reassuring him that you have put plans in place to make sure the entire family will be safe.

Q. My son is six years old. He can count to more than 100 and knows 'less than', but is not able to understand 'more than' and other simple math activities. What could be the problem?

A. Your son is learning a lot right now and he may mix up and forget some things. What you need to do is to take him to a psychologist and get him tested. When you do this, take along his math notebooks so the psychologist can see the type of mistakes he has been making in his math classes. This will help the psychologist to understand and explain to you why your son is having those problems.

Orlean Brown-Earle, PhD, is a child psychologist and family therapist. Dr Brown-Earle works with children with learning and behaviour problems throughout the Caribbean. Email questions to helpline@gleanerjm.com or send to Ask the Doc, c/o The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston.