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

by Karen J. Foli, Edward M. Hallowell (Foreword by)

A mother knows when something is wrong with her child. If the problem is physical, she takes the child to a doctor. But if the problem is a misunderstanding of her child's mind, where does she turn for help?
This is Ben's story.
He was a happy, healthy boy -- a mother's dream come true. Yet by the age of three, Ben's development was significantly He couldn't make sense of the simplest phrases, and he still hadn't started talking. When Karen Foli finally took her son, Ben, to a speech and hearing clinic, she was told that he was "probably retarded and perhaps autistic." But Karen knew that Ben was highly perceptive, even frustrated by his inability to communicate. Trusting her "mother's intuition," Karen set out on a journey to learn the truth about her son's condition....and what she found was APD.
A person with auditory processing disorder receives jumbled and distorted sounds. But the ability to hear is usually normal. Even though it affects millions of Americans, APD can be difficult to diagnose and challenging to treat. Through years of research, and personal interviews, Karen Foli learned everything she needed to know about APD in order to help her son achieve the greatest gift of communication. Like Sound Through Water is her story -- winning, inspiring, and true.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Parenting, Disability

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2002

Reviews

[Iamshadow · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one, because there are very few books on the market about APD. However, Foli's writing style annoyed me, and I didn't feel like I knew much about her son at all by the end, though the book was supposedly about him, too.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my then teenager was diagnosed with CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder) I began to do extensive research of my own as she was only the second diagnosed case in middle school. A few others could have have wrongly diagnosed with ADD as it mimicked, but cannot be helped with medication. The audiologist who diagnosed my child recommended this book as one resource.

It was good information for resources to access. I was definitely able to relate to the author/mother with her frustration on many levels. Unfortunately in my case even though I fought and fought to get my child tested (because I knew something wasn't right), it took from pre-school until 7th grade to finally diagnose correctly. In this book and many other resources CAPD and APD are usually caught earlier in life.

I have recommended this book to other parents who have had their children diagnosed with ADD and still feel something isn't right. As the author proves, a mothers intuition is usually right.

[Tahani Al Saadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Sound Through Water has become one of my favorite novels. I've been live with Ben's family, I felt his mom tears, worries, and her hope. I think this novel is essential for all parents even if they did not, or hopefully may not face this disorder. It will help them to understand how their children might be struggling without obvious symptoms. Also, educated parents will deal with these situations in an appropriate way more than unaware parents. I rate this novel as 4 because the happenings were moving slowly, but I might think that because I knew about this disorder, so I felt just Frustrated. I highly recommend this novel.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not the "wealth of information" as billed by the Library Journal, this book would be a good starting place for anyone wanting to learn more about APD. Written for the viewpoint of a mother, it is a pointed reminder to teachers and practitioners about the power, and sometimes wounding nature, of their words and judgements. Beyond that, I found Foli's repeated descriptions of her personal misery monotonous and annoying. The resources listed at the end of the book are a valuable for those wanting to learn more.

[Ravena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a strikingly honest chronicle of a woman's search to find out what was "wrong" with her son. She describes her son's behavior, her family experience, & the various professionals she encounters on her path of discovery. This is an inspiring book for anyone, but I'd say it's a must read for families that have children with any type of learning disorder.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource! It was informative and also a poignant picture of a mother’s love for her family. I was inspired by the fact that, despite a years-long struggle, she trusted her mother’s intuition and kept pushing for the correct diagnosis for her oldest son so she could best know how to help him.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immediately felt a kinship with the author! I am going through a lot of the same issues in my home with my daughter! Excellent read!!

[Ernest Adewoyin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously almost hated this book. I found Mrs Karen J. Foli to be an imperfect but lucky 🍀 wife. Well, it's not easy being a woman feeling insecure about her child and no one there to answer. But she'd taken her husband too much for granted.

I love how the book ended and now everything was leading to this point. It's a book on APD that explains it all. It's a fun book to read. One thing I've learnt is that hard work and persistence and a passion to see something happen... it's always a good sign.

I guess the fortune teller was right! (Not saying Ny much from this point to avoid spoilers)
I was thinking that this book would end in such a way as to forcibly entice me to her next book. But she gave Ben the honour of ending his story as his-story. That's good :)

[Christopher Gilland · Rating 5 out of 5]

this by far is probably one of the best books I have read. I love the honesty which Karen expresses about both her son Ben, as well as her son Peter. this book beautifully outlines the journey which she took with her son through his beginning years, and elementary school life. it is very well thought out, and very very well written. I would recommend this book to anyone, and would be incredibly interested in reading more of her material. absolutely a five star rating from me.

[Izzy Spoores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen’s story brought new perspectives into the world of speech-language pathology. Hearing a mother’s side of the story when it comes to a child’s journey of receiving a challenging diagnosis opened my eyes to a whole new world in my future area of expertise.

[Zoey Featherston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book if you want to gain insight on a mom’s perspective with a child who has communication disorder! This book is specifically about Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). I really think it will help me to be a better clinician in the future!

[Daniel Demarle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and helpful read

[Shellie Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. Although I definitely appreciate the author's passion for the subject and love for her child, the book just fell flat for me. The problem could have been my expectations. I was looking more for a memoir of the author's experience with auditory processing along with a toolkit of suggestions to deal with it. I feel like the options suggested in the book through relaying her experience aren't always available for other families. Some of the therapies mentioned are incredibly expensive and there are so many possible therapies. I would have liked to have seen more practical hope. Despite my lackluster feelings towards this work, I am grateful that it seeks to bring attention to a little understood problem facing many today.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great account of one family's struggle with speech and listening problems that ultimately ends up being auditory processing disorder. It was an emotional read for me as I see some of these things going on with my own child and can relate to how this mom is feeling. Shitty mom. There wasn't as much information regarding the disorder as I was hoping for but still a good read for anyone interested in learning about the struggles and triumphs of living with APD.

[Gretchen McDonough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written and a touching journey of the struggles a mother goes through to help her son. It is not a really informative book from a technical standpoint and will not give you a lot of in-depth information on Auditory Processing Disorder as it relates to other students. However, I would certainly recommend reading it. It gives a in-depth perspective of a mother's journey as she navigates the system with her son.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful read, both for getting a better sense of the ways auditory processing can affect development and an inside look at being a parent dealing with this situation. There is some controversy about this diagnosis, and that difficulty is seeking a diagnosis was well written. I also really appreciated the author's assertion that a parent *knows* when something is not right.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a mother's account of diagnosing and parenting a son with auditory processing disorder.

I started reading this book, but have recently put it down. It was moving pretty slowly and not really interesting me enough to go back.

To my IN friends...it is set in Nashville, IN.

[Lora Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true story of a mother's search to find answers about her son's disability. I loved her real honesty about the emotions she went through, I could really relate to her frustration which is probably why I enjoyed this book.

[Hannah Crossett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very interesting until close to the end, and then it was hard to finish because the hope factor did not seem to be there. I learned a lot about how a parent feels when their child needs help with speech, and I feel like this will help me become a better speech therapist.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed account of a mother's search for the cause of her son's difficulties and how she addressed his needs. I thought it gave a good snapshot of APD.

[Bibi Lafleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I could relate to some of her struggles etc...

[Audra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started slow but a very good and informative book. Following Ben's family's journey was very meaningful and emotional.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most mothers should never be doubted----and Karen Foli is one of them. LOVED this!

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of family learning about auditory processing - struggles resonate w/ our struggles

[Jane]

APD is still so new - it was refreshing to read a first hand account of what it was like for a family to learn about this little known disorder

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read if your child has auditory processing or sensory disorders.