Book Review: Feeling Smarter and Smarter

Author Information

Harold N. Levinson, MD is a world-renowned psychiatrist and neurologist credited with bringing about a dramatic breakthrough in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of dyslexia and its related syndromes.

His work has resulted in the development of a unique medical-educational therapeutic approach, validated by hundreds of referenced independent research publications. In addition, his new insights and scientific instruments can be used to screen for this disorder before academic symptoms arise and even prevent their surfacing.

His many scientific papers have appeared in medical and educational journals and have been reviewed by the New York Times, Science, Time and Smithsonian. He has also appeared on a number of television programs in the United States and the United Kingdom, including The Today Show, Larry King Live and Donahue.

Formerly Associate Professor of Psychiatry at NYU Medical Center, Dr. Levinson is currently the Director of the Levinson Medical Center for Learning Disabilities in Great Neck, New York. In addition to Feeling Smarter and Smarter, he has authored nine other books which are described on The Levinson Medical Center for Learning Disabilities website.

Subject

This is a book about the complex syndrome that is dyslexia. In great detail, Dr. Levinson explains how he discovered that, by treating a signal-tuning dysfunction within the inner ear and the cerebellum, he has enabled more than 35,000 dyslexics to "feel smarter and smarter!" The book is peppered with testimonials, such as:

  • "I don't feel stupid anymore." - Michale Shultz, age 10 (Page VII)
  • "Dr Levinson, my reading and writing are better. But so is my concentration." John Wood (Page 113)
  • "My son began to change for the better. He is calmer now. This helps him a lot with controlling his behaviors, which then improves his ability to socialize and focus in class." Mrs. X, mother to Abe, age 8 (Page 224)
  • "I first visited Dr. Levinson in August after struggling with symptoms of brain fog, panic attacks, lightheadedness and dizziness. Within a few weeks of simple medications, I had noticed a dramatic shift in my symptoms." - Eric R., teenager (Page 250)

Dyslexia, as per Dr. Levinson

"Ever since the early 1970's, Dr. Harold Levinson’s groundbreaking research has continued to demonstrate that the symptoms of Dyslexia and related Learning Disabilities (LD), Attention Deficit, and related Phobic Disorders are due to a simple signal-scrambling disturbance of inner-ear (and cerebellar) origin.

In other words, the inner-ear and its supercomputer, the cerebellum, act as a “fine-tuner” for all motor (balance/coordination and rhythmic) signals leaving the brain and all sensory and related cognitive signals entering it. As a result, normal thinking brains will have difficulty processing the scrambled or distorted signals received. And the final symptoms will depend on:

  1. the specific inner-ear (CV) dysfunction and pattern of scrambled signals,
  2. the degree of signal-scrambling,
  3. the location and function of the varied normal brain centers receiving and having to process these scrambled signals, as well as
  4. the brain’s compensatory ability for descrambling and reprogramming.

As a result of one primary signal-scrambling dysfunction of the inner-ear and its supercomputer, there often results a wide range of reading and non-reading symptoms in dyslexia involving over 15 major areas of functioning. These include difficulties with reading, writing, spelling, math, and memory." - Dyslexiaonline.com

Intended Audience

Parents of dyslexic children, dyslexic adults, teachers, doctors, therapists and anyone who wants to understand the complexity of dyslexia.

Organization of Feeling Smarter and Smarter

With twenty-five chapters, plus an appendices and reference section, this booked is packed with information that explains the initial trials and tribulations and subsequent discoveries and successes of Dr. Levinson's very lengthy history of working with people who have dyslexia.

I particularly enjoyed the testimonials from teachers, parents and people of all ages who have experienced Dr. Levinson's protocol. The before and after printing and writing examples provide visual proof that his patients have made significant progress.

Takeaways

  1. Dyslexia is not just a reading disorder. In addition, many people with dyslexia are plagued with balance, coordination and rhythm issues. Additionally, Dr. Levinson noted that the patients he saw often had comorbidities such as ADD/ADHD, anxiety and phobias.
  2. The results are amazing and often quick acting when the cerebellar-vestibular system (CVS) is treated with a protocol of CVS-enhancing medications and supplements.
  3. In the past, I have taught a number of students who had been on drugs to treat ADD/ADHD. I often wondered whether the dosage needed to be adjusted. What I particularly appreciate is that Dr. Levinson offers his clinically-based therapeutic insights on page 210 and 211. He states that doses must be adjusted to the individual in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. One size does not fit all. For example, on page 128, you learn of how 8-year-old Joey required just 1/8-1/4 of a tab of Dramamine to make an observable difference in his life. Dr. Levinson reiterates that patients can be dose sensitive, so careful monitoring is an essential part of the treatment plan.
  4. The great amount of compensation that is done in order to function well in society is astounding. Dyslexics must live with or, if they find the right treatment, overcome difficulties such as: words that jump around on the page; motion-sickness; extreme fatigue; accident proneness; fine-motor and eye-hand coordination symptoms; and articulation issues.

Dr. Levinson in the Media

On this page, you can view a number of television appearances and audio sessions that Dr. Levinson has made.

Although this CBC Newsworld video is fuzzy, it is worth listening to Janice Whitney and her son John talk about his remarkable change as a result of Dr. Levinson's treatment:

What Others Are Saying about Feeling Smarter and Smarter

By Elaine E. on Amazon.com:

"A must read for anyone with a child with ASD, ADHD or struggling in school. I’ve watched my daughter suffer for years with heart break and helplessness. After reading this book I have learned so much; I always felt there was a disconnect, a piece missing. Dr. Levinson has been studying the missing piece for over 50 years and his experience needs to be shared. My daughter is now a patient of Dr. Levinson and the results after a just a few days of treatment have been absolutely amazing. Dr. Levinson has given me hope for my daughter’s future. Her self esteem has already improved. I feel like I’m dreaming."

By the Poythress Family:

"This book presents clear evidence of a treatment for dyslexia which works. Mounting evidence has been added to this latest book, confirming what we experienced with a complete change for our dyslexic son who was 5 years old when first visiting Dr. Levinson's office and who is now 32."
By Hannah:
"Amazing Results: I was diagnosed by Dr. Levinson 30 years ago with dyslexia and had dramatic results from his treatment. I was thrilled to find out he was still practicing medicine and flew from Florida to Great Neck, NY to bring my son who is 9 years old to see him. He is the expert when it comes to learning disorders and truly has gift!! He is a brilliant doctor. I am so grateful to him, I am excited to see my son thrive instead of struggling through school!"

Conclusion

It is beyond my scope to suggest that you follow Dr. Levinson's treatment plan. However, I do suggest reading Feeling Smarter and Smarter, then making your own decisions based upon what you've read.

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