Like Sound Through Water: A Mother's Journey Through Auditory Processing Disorder

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Summary: Journey of a mother's devotion
Review: A mother can usually sense if there is a problem with her child -- but what if the solution is not right in front of you? In this book you'll follow the personal experiences of a courageous mother, Karen Foli, and her son Ben.

The book, "Like Sound Through Water: A Mother's Journey Through Auditory Processing Disorder," by Karen Foli, allows readers to follow along on Karen's personal journey during her young son's life. You'll be there at her son's birth; read about the problems Ben has at school; and read about the numerous testing and therapy sessions. Through all of this, Karen has had her share of doubt and disappointments. She knew that Ben was different from other children -- that he wasn't developing as they were. His speech was delayed and he had trouble communicating. Despite negative test results by schools and misdiagnoses by doctors, Karen continued to look for answers. She finally found them from an audiologist, who discovered that Ben had an auditory processing disorder (APD). Ben had problems processing sounds.

... the author's words speak to the reader like a close friend. It'll bring you on an emotional, personal and triumphant journey of a mother's struggle to find answers about her son. You'll understand how powerful a mother's love and devotion is, and you'll also learn a great deal about auditory processing disorder.

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Summary: Inspiration for a nervous Mom of an APD child
Review: Dr. Foli has crafted a book which seamlessly combines a heart-wrenching story of love and commitment, with an informative work examining the symptoms and difficulties associated with Auditory Processing Disorder. With no exaggeration, I could not put this book down once I began reading it. The similarities between Dr. Foli's son's and my own son's development were chilling - the similarities between my own feelings of guilt and grief and those so eloquently described by Dr. Foli were profound.
This book is a must-read for parents of children with APD, as well as extended family, teachers, speech therapists, and school administrators who interact with APD children. I expect that my copy of "Like Sound Through Water" will have passed through many hands by the time my son graduates (from college, magna cum laude)!

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Summary: Speech-Language Pathologist finds a resource for families
Review: I am a speech-language pathologist who works with young children with or suspected auditory processing disorders. For the first time, I read a book that let me know what a family was feeling and thinking throughout the process of diagnosing APD. Like Sound Though Water also gives a very acurate account of what a child experiences when they are diagnosed with APD. For years, I wondered what the family was feeling and thinking while going through this process and I believe Karen Foli presents her thoughts in a way that professionals can benefit.

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Summary: Stop pretending...this is autism!
Review: I finished this book to learn more about this trend of diagnosing "auditory processing". Both the author and her husband are professionals that clearly demonstrate that "professionals" don't always know whatis best. This child is autistic. Karen Foli doesn't seem to want to listen to anyone. She thinks a new term will make her son better. He should have been in an ABA program right away. I am a mother of an autistic daughter. I am tired of people running away from the truth. Karen Foli spends most of the book feeling sorry for herself and blaming her husband. We all had to hear tough news when our children were diagnosed. I cannot stand to read one more book where the mother sobs about herself and her world. I am fortuate enough to know a lot of moms in my position. We are all working hard to stay on top of this disorder. Some of us are seeing real gains, some are not so lucky. None of the fabulous mothers I know walk around making excuses for their kids. They don't just hear what they want to hear. There are better books out there. Don't buy into this

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Summary: Don't waste your money
Review: I just finished with this book and overall I agree with most that this is just not worth the money. I would say that most people who do buy this are searching for help. Many of those families will hear that their child is indeed autistic. I totally agree that the comments made about "THANK GOD ITS NOT MY SON" are really hurtful. In fact, this child has classic signs of autism. I don't understand how that can be overlooked. Most disturbing to me is that the book is written as if they never encountered any problems. I mean real problems. Hey, the kid doesn't get along with kids, just go to another school, as if that is easy or an option for most. Or how the schools seemed to have openings immediately. Yeah right. Or how people seemed to be available at her whim. Doubt it. It just doesn't come across as real. I live the real story. What about all the day to day difficulties like dealing with school systems, crappy laws, other parents, it just wasn't there. It was written for people to believe that it can all be changed....just like that. Bottom line...its just another book written by someone who doesn't know how good they have it. I didn't like it one bit. And besides, nothing new in it. Im sellig my copy on ebay.

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Summary: Absolutly touching story
Review: I was so touched by Foli's story. She wonderfully portrays the helplessness parents feel when their child is having difficulties. And the anguish and guilt that we heap upon ourselves. I truely loved and understood the journey her family took. It really made me understand that I am not alone and that other families go thru this as well. As parents we never feel like we are doing enough. But I loved how in the end she trusted her instincts and used the public school system. It really helped me to feel better about my decision to keep my children in the public school system as well.

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Summary: Read this book ONLY if your child has APD, no other problems
Review: I was very disappointed in the undertone of this book regarding Autism and any other diagnosis other than APD. Karen's knowledge of Autism, ASD, DSI, and special needs is very limited to what her husband has told her and very very inaccurate. She makes comments such as that a child with Autism wouldn't know that a person was alive and a rock wasn't. She also implies more than once that children with Autism/ASD have no ability to show affection. Inaccurate and insensitive comments like these show how little she looked into her son's problems and the details of different issues her son may or may not have had. She ignores the fact her son has sensory issues and many delays other than APD and acts as though she couldn't accept her child if he did have any sort of disability. She even seemed cold when talking about other children with physical disabilities as if she felt sorry for them and she wasn't in special needs boat.

I didn't like the book overall. I have a son with APD and I wouldn't recommend it. Many kids with APD (and most with Autism who also have APD/CAPD) have numerous issues to deal with. If your child has anything more than classic, simple APD, you'll most likely get very discouraged at her disregard for any other diagnosis, delay or disability.

Don't waste your money thinking you can connect with another Mom here. Spend your money on something that may actually help your child's APD.

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Summary: Amazing Account
Review: It was amazing to step into this account of Ben's family and their fight for a correct diagnosis and treatment. After reading the first chapter of Karen Foli's book, I told my husband, "This is our story. I could have written this book." After almost two years of testing and different therapy options, I finally had a professional confirm my suspicions two weeks ago: your child fits the criteria of a child with APD. WHile reading, I ached with the familiarity of the emotions Ms. Foli so transparently shared. Surprisingly, at a point in the book that seemed almost like an aside--the day she found a snake in her driveway--I found myself bursting into much-needed tears. I could so relate to "Snake-killing Mom" and the fierce desire to protect my family at any cost. This book is more than a wonderful resource for parents of APD children.It should be read by any parent of a child with special medical or developmental needs. It is a testament to the power of love and commitment in fighting for a child's future.

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Summary: A Mother's Response
Review: Karen Foli's book was extremely helpful to me as a mother of a son recently diagnosed with CAPD. I found myself in a situation where the professionals around me could only offer general information and direction for further help. I was desperate to learn how to help my child. I found other resources that gave me insight into the clinical diagnosis and treatment but Karen's book filled a void the others didn't. It offered a connection to a mother who had faced the same unknowns. Her perspective of the treatment options and school issues has been a source of support for me. As any parent of a child with CAPD will understand, we are all out there searching for the right fit for our own child. I greatly appreciate Karen writing this book and putting Ben's story to paper.

Rating:
Summary: A Mother's Response
Review: Karen Foli's book was extremely helpful to me as a mother of a son recently diagnosed with CAPD. I found myself in a situation where the professionals around me could only offer general information and direction for further help. I was desperate to learn how to help my child. I found other resources that gave me insight into the clinical diagnosis and treatment but Karen's book filled a void the others didn't. It offered a connection to a mother who had faced the same unknowns. Her perspective of the treatment options and school issues has been a source of support for me. As any parent of a child with CAPD will understand, we are all out there searching for the right fit for our own child. I greatly appreciate Karen writing this book and putting Ben's story to paper.