The Conversation: Rosie O'Donnell Opens Up

April 27, 2010— -- Rosie O'Donnell was aware early on that her son, Blake, was suffering. He had difficulties expressing himself, couldn't keep up in school and became easily frustrated. But O'Donnell couldn't pinpoint the problem and was powerless to help.

That all changed when Blake, now 10, was diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder, a learning disability that distorts sounds traveling to the brain. It is a disorder that affects 5 percent of school-aged children but can be treated through lifestyle adjustments and therapy.

After Blake received the help he needed, O'Donnell said, he opened up to the world. She hopes her new book, "Sound of Hope," written with therapist Lois Heymann, can serve as a resource for other parents who are struggling with children suffering from Auditory Processing Disorder.

In today's Conversation, Diane Sawyer and O'Donnell discuss Blake's transformation. He is now playing sports, interacting with others and enjoying life in a way that O'Donnell worried might never be possible.

O'Donnell and Sawyer also discuss her decision to return to daytime TV. Is she worried about the weight of carrying a show again? How will this one differ from her other program and what made her decide to come back? Will she keep up the tough questions like she did with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee this past weekend on her radio program?

It is a candid discussion with O'Donnell in today's Conversation.