Customer Reviews

Smart But Feeling Dumb

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

My son is dyslexic. He is also gifted. Dr. Levinson has been the final key to helping my son break through his disability and love learning again. Dr. Levinson's book is for every parent and health provider not satisfied with the current and prevailing philosophy that dyslexia is a single symptom disability, and that learning disabilities in general are to be treated with one or two drugs and/or behavorial therapies, and that's all there is, and we're sorry, there is nothing else we can do. Dyslexia can be debilitating, not so much because of it's symptoms, but because of its effect on the dyslexic and his/her family, friends, teachers, etc. Dyslexics view themselves as flawed humans, inferior to others, yet they are often the brightest, most enlightened and creative humans among us. Dr. Levinson's medical premise is that dyslexia is due to an imbalance in the inner ear. Treat the cause, he suggests, don't just treat the symptoms. He outlines his approach through case histories and before and after results to his therapy. This is a wonderful book, not just because it will enlighten the reader, but because it chronicles real lives and real successes, like my son.

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.

I encountered this book in an earlier edition in the late 1980s. The description of dyslexia and the life problems that go with it was a revelation. By following what I learned in the book I experienced dramatic improvement and a "whole new lease on life!" Furthermore I was able to help the two of my children that are 'other-abled' with dyslexia as well. I can give a hearty endorsement. All who struggle with the feeling that there is something wrong with their brain, that they just can't keep everything straight in their lives need to read this book. Thank-you Dr. Levinson for the help you gave me and my family.

I had given up. Reality was rapidly slipping away from my frantic fingers when I ran across a book ordered and not yet read. I was half psychotic and vertigo had just become constant.

How could so simple a thing as an over-the-counter antihistamine bring me back? I was an astoundingly fast reader, so they said I was not dyslexic. But here, in this little book was a collection of all the pain and suffering of my struggles to survive in spite of everyone else telling me I was dumb, odd, spastic, slow-witted, etc. Tests ranked me above average (in spite of always marking the wrong boxes and going back and correcting).

With the first dose, I began to be able to think and function again. And hope is back.

Thank you, Dr. Levinson, for hope to keep trying.

If I could give this a negative star, I would.

This is what Larry Silver, MD, has to say about Levinson's frauduent claims:

In summary, there is no current evidence supporting the theory of vestibular dysfunction nor supporting the proposed treatment approaches. Yet, the primary proponent of this treatment for learning disabilities remains extremely busy evaluating and treating these children.

Neurophysiological Approaches (a critique) Author:? Larry B. Silver, M.D.

International Dyslexia Association: Perspectives (info) Printed Date: Spring 2001 vol 27(3)

Cerebellar - Vestibular Dysfunction
Several investigators have suggested that the vestibular system is important in learning. They claim that there is a causal relationship between vestibular disorders and poor academic performance involving reading and written language in children with Learning Disabilities. Ayres, (1973), Frank and Levinson (1973), and Levinson (1980) suggest that such children require a specialized therapy before they can benefit from academic input. DeOuiros (1971) and Levinson (1984) suggest that evidence of a vestibular disorder is predictive of learning disabilities and that therapy can prevent these disabilities.

In recent years, Levinson has published several books on the causative role of the vestibular and vestibular-cerebellar systems in learning disabilities. He proposes the treatment of dyslexia with anti-motion sickness medication to correct the vestibular dysfunction. No research is cited in his books to support his theory or the effectiveness of his treatment. His books refer to his clinical observations and case examples. In one book (Levinson, 1984), he proposes multiple other interventions along with the anti-motion sickness medication, including many other types of medication plus special education.

The role of the vestibular system in the higher cortical functions required for academic performance is not known. Some of the symptoms generally associated with learning disabilities (faulty eye movements, poor postural coordination, poor balance, and poor spatial orientation) could be indicative of vestibular disorder. Such symptoms, however, are only indirect evidence for vestibular dysfunction. The most prorninent objective sign of vestibular involvement is nystagmus (spasmodic, rapid movement of the eyeball from side to side).

The hypothesis that there is a relationship between vestibular function and the academic learning of reading and written language comes chiefly from the authors noted. Ayres used the Southern California Postrotary Nystagmus Test. In this test, the child is rotated in alighted room with eyes open, which provides both visual and vestibular stimulation. Thus, it may not be a valid test of vestibular function. Frank and Levinson, used "blurring speed" as evidence for abnormal vestibular function. This was described as the speed at which words passing across the visual field can no longer be recognized. But, because this involves the passing of stimuli across the subject's visual field at varying speeds, it constitutes visual stimulation, not vestibular.

Consequently, none of the work of these investigators has provided conclusive evidence for vestibular dysfunction in individuals with learning disabilities. These data could possibly be interpreted as evidence of visual dysfunction. Other studies on vestibular dysfunction in children with learning disabilities have reported negative or equivocal results as well.

A study by Polatajko (1985) investigated the relationship between children's vestibular function and academic learning using well-defined criteria for learning disabilities and exact measurements of vestibular activity. The evaluation of vestibular function consisted of examination of calibration records, search for spontaneous and gaze nystagmus, testing smooth pursuit, and vestibular and optokinetic testing. Vestibular nystagmus was induced by a rotating chair. No significant differences either in the inbsity of vestibular responsivity or in the prevalence of vestibular dysfunction were found between the normal learning children and children with learning disabilities. There was no evidence that children having low, average, or high vestibular responsivity differed significantly on measures of academic performance. There was no significant correlation between measures of vestibular function and measures of academic performance.

In summary, there is no current evidence supporting the theory of vestibular dysfunction nor supporting the proposed treatment approaches. Yet, the primary proponent of this treatment for learning disabilities remains extremely busy evaluating and treating these children.
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I read this book when my daughter was 5 yrs old. It helped her tremendously. Will it work for everyone? No even penicillin doesn't work for everyone, but it helps a lot of people. When I read this book to other adults I knew were dyslexic, they said that he had gotten their feelings & symptoms right. That's why we went to see Dr. Levinson. My daughter & her best friend are both dyslexic. They don't have the exact same symptoms, but they have the same diagnosis. This provided us the help we needed when no one else did. Her stomach aches, dizziness and dancing letters all went away with recommended treatment. It wasn't an instant cure but it worked. Thank goodness!

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.