Customer Reviews

When the Brain Can't Hear : Unraveling the Mystery of Auditory Processing Disorder

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It can be so easy to dismiss it as a lack of interest or a lack of attention:
** The student who doesn't follow directions in class.
** The spouse who denies all knowledge of something you specifically told them.

Even those who search for a cause are often told that hearing tests show that hearing is "normal". But sometimes your instincts still shout that something isn't right & it's for those families that When the Brain Can't Hear was written. For those struggling to understand what an auditory processing disorder is -- this book will be a God-send. As Dr. Bellis describes the many faces of APD through a series of case studies she presents clearly what it is AND what it isn't. The middle section of the book, which discusses the actual processes of hearing & language, is probably more technical than most layman will appreciate. However, Dr. Bellis more than makes up for this with her extensive sections on treating and living with APD. These sections offer a wonderful array of practical tips and suggestions. I would highly recommend this book as one offering concrete help for those desperately seeking solutions!

Teri Bellis' new book is fantastic... A must-read for anyone whose life is touched by auditory processing disorder (family, teachers, medical professionals, etc). I bought it for myself and sent it to friends and family. I'm planning on passing it along to our pediatrician and our ENT, as well, since their awareness of this disorder could have saved us years of searching for answers! Maybe our knowledge can help someone else.

_When the Brain Can't Hear_ is a well-written and easily read explanation of what APD is, what it isn't, and what it might be. This makes sense as APD identification often requires a good deal of detective work, particularly when the 'patient' is a child. Dr. Bellis takes a conservative approach to APD identification, frequently reminding the reader not to make assumptions without appropriate data... but she doesn't just say "hey, maybe you have it and maybe you don't." She gives you other options to consider, too, so you're not left hanging if APD isn't the answer to your questions.

In reading this book, I learned a great deal about how APD manifests, what causes (what might cause) the different manifestations, and ways to address these areas. The only area I had trouble with was treatment specific to subtype. Dr. Bellis uses a system to categorize types of APD that seemed a bit too cut and dry for me. I had some difficulty identifying my daughter's subtype (her evaluation was done by someone who doesn't use the same system of classification) and therefore figuring out which treatment methods Dr. Bellis felt would best remediate her specific symptoms. Overall, however, the book gave me plenty to consider both in terms of understanding the disorder and better understanding the many treatment options.

I highly recommend this book. If you only read one book on APD, this is the one you should read.

For the reader who said that this book is depressing, consists entirely of case studies, and provides no concrete information regarding diagnosis or, especially, treatment, I couldn't help but notice that you wrote your review when you had only read half of the book. Read on! You will find specific recommendations for diagnosis, understanding APD and its relationship to language and learning, and tons of treatment approaches that offer hope for children and adults with APD. The case studies serve to illustrate how these disorders affect people in the real world, and you may see yourself, your child, your parent, or your spouse in them. But this is the only book written for the layperson that really, truly does provide guidance that is scientifically sound from a world renowned expert in the field. Next time, please read the whole book before you review it!!

What an informative and wonderfully supportive text this is. I have a 15 year old son who suffers from APD as well as visual stress and dyslexia. This book confirmed everything I have been saying for years, but no-one believed me. It gave me hope that this affliction will eventually become recognised in UK and that so many young people will no longer suffer an interrupted education because no-one knows what their difficulty is. I have talked to many professionals about APD and they have never heard of it! I recommend this book to every one of them. Read it if you are involved with education, or young people or adults in any capacity, it will change your perception of them for ever. Well done Teri James Bellis, and thank you for such a rivetting read. I couldn't put this book down. I learned so much.

This is the best book I have read so far on the topic of APD. Teri Bellis has taken a very controversial topic and explained it in terms for all those who are working with the APD child/person. After finishing this book I have a better understanding of what APD is, how to diagnose it, and how to treat it. Thank you, Teri. You have helped me be a better speech/language pathologist and an advocate for my students who have APD. I recommend it to other special ed. teachers, regular ed. teachers, administrators, and parents

This book is indispensible for the audiologist/SLP/parent/professional working with APD. I only wish we could have read this one BEFORE the text books in grad school..would have made much more sense. Very nicely written, presenting of scenarios was important...more info to assimilate to your childs difficulty. May of seemed cut and dry to some, but if it was not, you would be reading the unabridged version and toting it on wheels. Not everyone uses the same categorization strategy...but that is the beauty of research and ongoing learning...take some info from each and you are well rounded. Maybe those who chose to go only half way through the book and not PAST the case studies to the theraputic ideas are the same ones hoping for a quick remedy. This disorder takes time and patience and an informed parent. Good Luck..... challenges and good times are ahead. Thanks Terri for giving us all a small part of you....A fellow CCC-A

Could you imagine being able to hear, but not being able to really hear what was being said to you? People with APD, Auditory Processing Disorder, know exactly what it's like. APD is the brain's inability to process sounds...and it affects a person's ability to listen. There are many people who struggle with APD every day, and many aren't even aware that they have this disorder.

The book, "When the Brain Can't Hear," by Dr. Teri James Bellis, aims to help readers learn more about this puzzling disorder. People of all ages can get APD - children and adults alike. In children, it can be mistaken for hyperactivity and ADHD, and adults may think they are suffering from hearing loss as they grow older. This book explains APD; if you should tested; what you should do if you are diagnosed with APD; and how to live with APD. The book also discusses various treatments for those suffering with APD, and has helpful checklists to help guide you in your quest for answers. The book also lists resources for those looking to find more information and support, and a glossary so you can become familiar with related terms.

MyParenTime.com highly recommends the book, "When the Brain Can't Hear" - it is an informative and helpful resource for those wanting to learn more about Auditory Processing Disorder. I know I certainly learned a lot :-).

When killing time at my local book store, I always to go the learning disabilities section because as an adult with a non verbal learning disability, I am curious to see if anything new has been written. Usually, it's the same old, same old and of course, most of the books seem to act like NLD doesn't exist.

Boy, was I in for a surprise when all of a sudden, I noticed the book, "When the Brain Can't Hear". I decided to take a look at it because I feel I have an undiagnosed auditory processing disorder in addition to NLD. I thought I'd drop dead of shock when I noticed that NLD was mentioned in several areas. Also the author specifically mentioned that a specific kind of auditory processing disorder can originate in the right hemisphere vs the more common left hemisphere ones that most people are familiar with.

But mentioning NLD wasn't the only reason why I enjoyed the book. Dr. Bellis, the author, does a great job of explaining the different types of ADP and provides excellent clues as to which one you might have if you haven't yet received a formal evaluation of your auditory processing problems. She helped me figure out that mine might be orginating from the left hemisphere even though I have NLD. Of course, I need a formal evaluation but her information was very helpful to me.

I have read alot about auditory processing disorder and definately feel that this author has provided the best explanations to date. In my opinion, they are clear, consise, and in language the layperson can understand.

Even though I feel my auditory processing disorder is the least of my worries, it took me all of 2 seconds to decide to buy this book. It is so rare that you find an author like Dr. Bellis who is very compassionate and really does seem to get it.

In my opinion, if you buy the book, you will be very happy that you did.

Ms. Bellis writes in a clear and simple manner allowing the lay person to comprehend the complexities of APD. She is mindful of the differential diagnosis' and the individualized attention each case must receive. She makes it clear that not every auditory problem is an APD. Ms. Bellis takes the reader from understanding APD, demystifying it, to treatment plans. Also the book contains an excellent term glossary so all the scientific jargon can be kept straight. A wonderful book to begin ones knowledge of APD.

It's taken a long time for this disorder to be recognized for what it is and it still has a long way to go in becoming more well known. The book is not an easy read, but then the disorder is not easily diagnosed either. Hopefully someone will write about Central Auditory Processing Disorders to suppliment this complex and intensive book for the sake of learning how to explain this highly unknown handicap to those who have trouble understanding that it is not a hearing loss problem but rather an auditory information processing difficulty.