My child just won't shut up

Orlean Brown Earle,  Contributor

• Q.  My 17-year-old who attends a prominent high school and has good grades will not stop talking about the family's business at school, church and play. I am so frustrated. I have beaten her and punished her and she will not stop. What do I do?

You need to take your daughter to a psychologist right away. Her behaviour is inappropriate for her age and intellect, but you must remember that there may be many reasons for this behaviour. Now, while she is in counselling, please do not push her away from you. Let her know that you love her even though she is behaving like this.

• Q.  I was asked by a teacher to have my child tested for problems with reading. He told me that he was a specialist. I read somewhere that a specialist in reading should be able to test a child in reading. Why is he sending me elsewhere?

Sometimes reading specialists are trained to test children, but some are only trained to work with children who present with reading problems. A psychologist who has specialised training in reading would be the best person to help your child.

• Q. I see where you have talked about intelligence testing for children. Are there any intelligence tests for adults?

Yes, there are many. The tests for adults usually measure acquired concepts and the schooling the adult received will greatly impact on how adults score on the intelligence test. Always remember that a low score on an intelligence test does not necessarily mean that an adult is not intelligent.

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.