Dr. Cavazos nodded. “From the assessments I have done, I would say she has the overall skillset of a five year old, so we are both pretty close—”

“Five?” Patricia’s stomach sank.

“The point, Mrs. Diaz, is that we are in agreement that she is progressing at a much slower rate than her classmates not just academically but in all areas. Would you agree with this statement?”

“Well, yes. But five… Are you sure? I know she’s a little shy around other students—”

“Yes, I’ve noticed that. Nevertheless, I don’t think it’s a case of mere shyness. I don’t believe she can carry a two-way conversation with her peers. Also, she seems to have a difficult time remembering things. For example, she struggles to retain simple math facts that should come very easy to someone of her age. She also can’t recall details of a book that she has read only minutes before.”

“I’ve tried to help her with her math and reading at home. Her father works late. But I usually spend an hour with her each evening.”

“And how has this been working out?”

“I think it’s helping. I know she’s a bit forgetful. But she’s still very young.”

“You are aware that she has temper tantrums?”

“Don’t all children?” she said with a bit too much asperity. She was beginning to feel as though the psychologist was attacking María.

“They do, certainly,” Dr. Cavazos said calmly. “Such outbursts arise because young children have difficulties expressing themselves, especially complex emotions. Having said that, by grade four they have usually grown beyond this stage. María, it seems, hasn’t. She still can’t fully express herself, what she wants to say, what she’s feeling. Which, I believe, is why she isolates herself from other children. And why she has her temper tantrums. She’s frustrated.” Dr. Cavazos paused. “Mrs. Diaz, have you heard of intelligence quotient tests—or IQ tests?”

“I believe so. They measure a person’s intelligence.”

Dr. Cavazos nodded. “You can’t study for them. They test how individuals solve brand new problems, both verbal and visual. Does the word ‘idiot’ or ‘imbecile’ or ‘moron’ mean anything to you?”

“I don’t think so, no.”