Scientific Watergate Dyslexia: How and Why Countless Millions Are Deprived of Breakthrough Medical Treatment

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Summary: A well-founded alternative approach to dyslexia
Review: A major controversy rages about dyslexia. Dr. Levinson presents massive evidence that dyslexia arises from problems in the cerebellum and in the semicircular canals of the inner ear. He also describes how the mainstream of the dyslexia "industry" has for 20 years clung to another theory, and has systematically suppressed, distorted, and ignored his arguments. The result is that many dyslexics have remained unaware of the approach that he has used to bring demonstrable relief.

Idiosyncrasies in Levinson's style and manner of presentation, as well as his embattled stance toward the establishment, may raise some people's suspicions. But the book is solid in substance. Dr. Levinson, an M.D. with psychiatric specialization, has over 25 years research and experience with dyslexia, beginning when he found that his own daughters were dyslexic. 80% of his patients experience some improvement through one or more medications that he recommends. My own dyslexic son Justin experienced a dramatic turn-around within 48 hours of starting on medication that Levinson recommended. But the medications have to be adjusted to the individual in a complex way that cannot be predicted beforehand. By Levinson's own admission, he has not found medications that can result in improvement in all cases. The complexity has allowed the establishment to turn its back not only on a cogent theory but on a path to substantive relief for many dyslexics.

Vern S. Poythress, Ph.D., Th.D.

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Summary: kind-hearted but quackery
Review: As a parent of a boy with dyslexia, I know that one searches everywhere for help and answers...but this book is way outside the accepted scientific- method -proven aids for dyslexics. Please at best get it from the library before you follow this doctor down his path. His findings are anecdotal and not reproducable. I believe that he means well but he is is way off base. Absolutely don't make this only book you read on this topic

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Summary: A breakthrough in the treatment of dyslexia symptoms.
Review: Dr. Harold Levinson has presented in this book a revolutionary treatment of dyslexia and other attention-defecit-type disorders which challenge the standard medical approach. His theories are illustrated with testimonies of actual patients. The combination of technical and personal information makes for interesting reading. The reader is left wondering why there is such resistance to a new interpretation to the puzzling and myriad symptoms of these disorders. I am a patient of Dr. Levinson. Before consulting him, I tried many treatments, including visual therapy and specific colored lenses for my glasses. Each therapy gave some relief, but were limited. Dr. Levinson's approach integrates treatment of all of the dyslexic symptoms. I have benefited tremendously for the last five years as I have followed Dr. Levinson's prescribed regimen. The ease of living each day is continually amazing to me. I am no longer numb with fatigue at the end of each day. Everything from balancing the check book, to following driving directions, to completing long range plans has improved dramatically. A part of my brain that was not available to me now functions at a very high level. My career has moved forward at an amazing rate in the last five years, which would not have been possible without this treatment. I would urge any adult who suspects they may be dyslexic to call Dr. Levinson's office and ask to receive a patient history form. This will present the various symptoms associated with these disorders. When I first read it I thought, "THAT is part of this?" As time goes on, I recognize the symptoms by what has been resolved within my perceptions, thought structure, or every-day functioning. Dr. Levinson's findings have helped thousands of people live more productive and satisfying lives. Whether or not the medical establishment considers this approach to be valid, Dr. Levinson has contributed significantly to the understanding and treatment of dyslexia and related disorders, ! and soon the medical community as well as the learning disorder industry will have to acknowldege his contribution.

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Summary: Dyslexia isn't mysterious anymore- & this isn't good science
Review: Dr. Levinson does many readers, especially parents of children who struggle to read (have dyslexia) a disservice with his theories. Dyslexia is a reading disorder,not a mystery and people who waste time and money pursuing unlikely solutions to reading problems have been led astray.Specialized instrution is the answer- not magic ear treatments! This kind of quackery is unethical!

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Summary: A MEDICAL MIRACLE WORKER
Review: I AM WRITING THIS REVIEW TO FURTHER EXPAND UPON MY CONTRIBUTION THAT WAS PUBLISHED IN THIS BOOK& TO HELP OTHERS... AS THE TALMUD SAYS THAT TO SAVE ONE MIND IS TO SAVE THE WORLD ENTIRE. THIS BOOK PUTS REAL HUMAN FACES ONTO MANY OF NOT MOST OF THE STORIES IN ORDER TO SHOW PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF THAT YOU AREN'T ALONE!!! THE BOOK ESPECIALLY TOUCHED MY HEART WITH THE SECTION ON LISA NOMER,WHO FOUGHT BACK AGAINST KGB-GESTAPO LIKE BAR EXAMINERS. THIS SECTION HELPED ME TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO SUCCESSFULLY SUE A LARGE UNIVERSITY!! I ALSO WAS THRILLED TO READ THE SECTIONS ON HELEN IRLEN(COLORED TINTED EYEGLASS LENSES WHICH I WEAR). AS DR L'S VERY SUCCESSFUL DYSLEXIC ADHD PATIENT SINCE 9/84-PRESENT,(ALMOST 14YRS) I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO SPEAK WITH ANYONE WHO HAS COMMENTS AND/OR QUESTIONS,P.S. THIS BOOK DOES A REALLY NICE JOB OF EXPLAINING THE MUSICAL TALENTS,SKILLS & SYMPTOMS OF MUSICIANS LIKE MYSELF, JOAN SPARKS,& OTHERS,WHO ARE DYSLEXIC AND/OR ADD/ADHD/SSS SCOTOPICALLY SENSITIVE(IRLEN SYNDR)FONDLY,MARSHA LAMPERT MBA WANTAGH NY

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Summary: Your smart and there is hope, healing and help available.
Review: I strongly urge people to read all of Dr. Levinson's books and cannot praise his diagnostic and treatment procedures/methods(etc.) highly enough. As I have been a very successful patient of his since 9/84 to present. His books have wonderful self-help, self-teach, self-healing as well as self-acceptance themes ever-present, and have transformed the lives of many people over many years, myself especially. The books also repeatedly emphasize that "You aren't alone" and you're smart and that there is hope, healing and help available!! The photographs of actual patients in "A Scientific Watergate" put "real faces" and emotion on the words...again showing you that you aren't all alone... The books also repeatedly prove that a multitude of what can appear to be unrelated single symptoms have one common cause and one safe treatment that can (at least in my case) almost put the "disease" into a "near-remission" state...giving you back a peaceful, healthy, stable equiliburium...restoring your mind-body balance and sense of wellbeing physically, mentally, spiritually...additionally Dr. Levinson and I both endorse a series of non-medical therapies within a Scientific Watergate, which include tinted lenses.

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Summary: correction of my email name/address
Review: The proper aol email screen name/address for my review is [e-mail] not [e-mail]

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Summary: Good information
Review: This is an excellent book. Please do not listen to the individual that said this book was unscientific. If you would like evidence concerning cerebellar deficits in dyslexia they are easy to obtain. This book does have a scientific basis. Please do not assume that just because the Orton society does not sanction this book that it is "way outside of scientific thought". At one time scientists thought leeching was a good thing. Go figure. Science is a process, there are always new developments. If you would like to research Dr Levinson's theory for yourself you can go to infotrieve.com put dyslexia and cerebellar in the search bar and you can buy scientific articles on this topic to your hearts content. This database has articles that are peer reviewed such as Journal of the American Optometric Association, Annals of Dyslexia, Experimental Brain Research etc.

That said, this is what I like about this book:
1. Dr Levinson does not claim that cerebellar deficits are the ONLY cause of dyslexia. He also cites some research by Irlen on visual processing deficits and says the cause of dyslexia may be different for individuals.
2. He says that this treatment does not work for everyone. The degree that it will help people also varies from individual to individual.
3. He does not claim to cure anyone and is upfront about the fact that problems will still exist.
4. He listens to his patients. He does not take the "I am doctor. I am expert", stance. He speaks about defining dyslexia based on the accounts of individuals that struggle with it.
5. He states that dyslexia should not simply be based on a reading discrepancy. Many individuals have a hard time reading but muddle along, without falling too far behind. But the process is still slow and painful.

I could go on but space is limited. This book is a good read. It may help the dyslexic person in your life or it may not. But it will provide you with information.