Q. I am having a problem with the counsellors at my child's school. They are counselling him about things I do not know. I only hear that they are doing so. I adopted him, but his mother is still in Jamaica. What rights do I have?

A. As a rule, children cannot give permission or consent to any type of counselling without an adult who may be a parent or a legal guardian. They should give permission on behalf of the child. The school counsellors should be made aware that you are the child's legal guardian and that you should be asked to give permission for your child to receive counselling. Please remember that while the child is on the school's property, they are responsible for your child and should be able to give immediate counselling where needed. As the legal guardian, you should be made aware of this or any counselling he receives and, if counselling will be continuing for a while, you should be a part of it and be told about the issues that will be discussed in future sessions.

Q. My seven-year-old is reading, but does not like to do anything in maths. She still counts and mixes up numbers and hides away if I ask her to count or show me numbers.

A. Your daughter seems to have developed a fear for math activities. One way to help her is to make math activities fun and to reward her when she gets the activities correct. You must also make sure that you do not get upset when she gets the math activities wrong. Encourage her by showing her over and over again. Please be patient. You also need to get her to a psychologist to determine what type of mistakes she is making and why. Remember to follow through on the recommendations made by the psychologist.

Q. My son sat the GSAT exam, and now, what do we do until the results come out? I am nervous already. He was in GSAT classes for more than a year. What do I do with him now?

AMy dear parent, you need to calm down and make sure your son does not realise how anxious you are. I am sure he has done his best and what you need to do is start planning financially for his needs for grade seven. There are some basic needs that he will have at any school he may attend. Ensure now that he gets involved in more social activities, such as pathfinders, Boy Scouts or any other social or educational club at church or school. Go out with him and enjoy yourself too.

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.