by Vern S. Poythress
[Review of Harold N. Levinson, A Scientific Watergate: Dyslexia (Lake Success, NY: Stonebridge, 1994.]
[Uploaded as a reader review to amazon.com.]
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.