Like Sound Through Water: A Mother's Journey Through Auditory Processing Disorder
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) occurs when the brain cannot  process or understand correctly the sounds the ears hear, even  though the ears might be functioning properly. It is rarely  recognized, often misdiagnosed, and poorly understood, yet the  effects can be devastating. Pocket is simultaneously releasing  two complementary texts on the subject that are definitely worth  some notice. Foli's Like Sound Through Water is a mother's  account of her family's struggle with APD in her oldest son,  Ben. Her account reads like a novel and is thoroughly engaging  while providing a wealth of information. Foli clearly shows the  pain misdiagnosis and clinical inaccuracies can cause. While  finally obtaining a correct diagnosis brought some relief, Foli  shows that the battle for normalcy had only begun. This is  mostly a success story with an upbeat ending. The resource  section in the back is a bonus.  Bellis's When the Brain Can't Hear is the first APD sourcebook  written specifically for lay readers. Bellis, the author of an  important text on APD for professionals (Assessment and  Management of Central Auditory Processing Disorders in the  Educational Setting from Science to Practice), herself suffers  from APD as the result of a car accident. Her text is naturally  more clinical in nature but still quite readable. It covers the  many subtypes of APD and their manifestations, diagnosis and  testing, treatment options, and coping techniques. The ample  glossary adds to the book's accessibility. Either of these texts  would be appropriate additions to most collections, but they are  best purchased together. The diagnosis of APD is seen more  frequently, and with no other lay texts on the subject  available, these books are absolutely essential. KellyJo Houtz  Griffin, Eatonville, WACopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.