Smart but Feeling Dumb: New Research on Dyslexia--And How It May Help You

By Harold N. Levinson

Book Overview

Millions of Americans know the pain, frustration, and sense of inferiority caused by the learning disability known as dyslexia. Dr. Levinson has updated his findings from 20 years of research that resulted in discoveries that offer new hope to those with dyslexia.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446691178
• ISBN13: 9780446691178
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 1.3" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Did not read this book...

However, I can testify that I saw, personally, the extremely strong link between corrective vestibular stimulation (as shown to me by an occupational therapist), and reading problems. My son was diagnosed with sensory integratin disorder at age three. They told me that he would have trouble learning to read. I did not believe them, as he was an extremely bright child with an above average IQ (as per tests, and as everyone kept telling me.) Well, they were right, and I was wrong. He did have tremendous difficulty learning to read. We spent time and money on tutors, made him practice reading (which he hated). Absolutely no results. After a session of sensory integration therapy (correctly done), he suddenly read fluently and quickly. This only lasted for a couple of hours, at most a day, then he would regress to reading very, very slowly and stumbling over the words. In the end, sensory integration therapy was only partly helpful, as the effects of therapy were not long-term, however sensory integration therapy is still in its very early stages, with therapists mainly using a "trial and error" method (each therapist I saw diagnosed him differently). However, the link is definitely there. I saw my son reading fluently after a SI session, it was like a light switch - on/off. The problem being that it seemed to switch off after a certain amount of time. His behavior also underwent a dramatic change after therapy - for the same limited amount of time. He was calm, happy, and easy to deal with. I suspect that when they come up with a way for parents to do this therapy easily at home - every day - we will have seen a "cure" to these neurologically based problems.

This book changed my son's life, the best book on dyslexia

This book offers the best description of dyslexia I have ever read. It is full of case studies and easy to understand information on dyslexic students. Levinson's insights into the workings of the dyslexic's mind is amazing and my 11 year old son understood the examples and said - see I told you how I felt and the problems I have but you didn't listen - I said I did listen but I didn't understand how he felt or what he could do. This book convinced me to go to Dr. Levinson with my son when he was in grade 6 and he went from a grade 2.6 reading level to a grade 6 reading level in 3 months. His teachers and our family were amazed. My son and I appeared on Canadian television- CBC Newsworld with Dr. Levinson and many people have contacted me in the past 2 years.If you have any questions you can contact me through Dr. Levinson's office. I would be willing to talk to parents or adults about his theories.

It's the easiest to understand from a layman's point of view

This book allowed us to understand the symptoms we were observing & diagnose our 6 year old daughter. It described the range of dyslexic symptoms in a way that a concerned parent with no previous experience or medical knowledge could understand! It compelled us to make an appointment with Dr. Levinson. We noticed dramatic improvements by the 2nd day that my daughter was on the over the counter medicine that Dr. Levinson prescribed. My daughter is a much happier child and we are a less stressed family because of this book.

READING IS BELIEVING

Everything you read in this and every other book Dr. Levinson has written is absolutely real and true. I struggled with the frustration and hopeless feelings that often accompany inner-ear impairment and dyslexia for many years. I've been a patient of Dr. Levinson since 1992 and can say without trepidation that my inner-ear(CVS) based comprehensive medical treatment has been a lifesaver. Before treatment, my many varied and severe CVS syptoms had literally paralyzed me. Simple tasks like driving a car or riding a bike became extremely difficult. My mental faculties were so clouded that learning seemed almost impossible. Anyone who believes that dyslexia and related CVS symptoms are not treatable should read and understand Dr. Levinson's writings. The treatments and strategies used by Dr. Levinson often profoundly impact one's quality of life by ameliorating- not curing- the many varied and devastating symptoms of CVS impairment. Feel free to contact me with concerns or questions.

This book changed our son's life!

In searching for SOMETHING to help our son reach his full potential or at least get through elementary school, I ran across Dr. Levinson's book. The jacket told David's life history. We actually took David to Dr. Levinson for an evaluation and treatment. The week after we started him on the treatment, the school psychologist stopped me in the hallway and exclaimed how obvious it was that we had put David on Ritalin -- David was a totally different child! When I told the psychologist that David was taking over-the-counter generic pseudophedrine, he was shocked and disbelieving, but hopeful that perhaps this information could help other children. This episode began a personal crusade to explain Dr. Levinson's work to every parent I've encountered who has a child with one or more dyslexic symptoms. The book is excellent at explaining the root cause of the various manifestations of dyslexia. It clarifies the relationship of ADD and hyperactivity to learning disabilities and even phobias. I went on to read Phobia Free, Solution to the Riddle Dyslexia, and Total Concentration; however, Smart But Feeling Dumb is key reading for any parent, relative, and educator to understand how to help those who suffer from many seemingly disparate symptoms, such as motion sickness, allergies, and impulsivity. I believe that for some reason, the children of the Baby Boomer generation have a greater propensity towards these problems than the 20% quoted in the book and that many more people can benefit from Dr. Levinson's leading edge research.