The term auditory processing disorder (APD), a 1960s coinage, refers to an affliction of the system running from the ear to the brain that is to be distinguished from problems with hearing, language, and thinking. Because Bellis has suffered from APD after a car accident, she changed the main thrust of her career to avoid specific tasks she was no longer able to perform and still continue in her major field. She gives a clear and informative account of the condition, which has five basic types and manifold variations. APD can complicate socialization and cause sufferers to miss the vocal changes of humor, sarcasm, and other spoken subtleties. Bellis draws on many case histories to underline her points, among them that APD can occur at almost any age and in both sexes. She examines the difficulties of obtaining the accurate diagnosis vital for effective treatment; reports on the wide variety of therapies needed for APD; explains how to adjust at school, work, and home; and concludes with a thorough glossary. William Beatty Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
