Chapter 1 – The Pathos of ADHD & The Mission of the School
I was on the staff of Two State Medical Faculties (Colombo & Kelaniya) in Sri Lanka. Initially in Internal Medicine, later as Head of Dept of Pharmacology. With that background I address the issue of ADHD. The urgency is to get a child before the “tipping point”. We have observed in our research & clinical work a tipping point. The threefold aberration of digitally induced altered chemistry of the brain, cortisol levels in the blood & erratic neuronal wiring at a point takes over the child. Then the symptoms have a snowballing effect. It’s so much easier to reverse a child’s neurochemistry & neuronal wiring before this. We have also observed that neuronal & spiritual changes that may have set in before birth (in utero) produces a more severe kind of “ADHD”.
Here’s Vision Mission Statement For Family Corporate
I am going to be my son’s/ daughter’s best friend. Dad your son is not a career project but your future & your best friend to be. Mom same for your daughter. We must not make performers out of children where they daily labour with classes, extracurricular activities, coaches, driven from class to class by chauffeurs, attended on by maids & paid servants – and we are only present for the high day – Prize day to be a part of the accolade. At what cost?. Surely we must daily be our children’s first on call friends. Mom’s time spells safety & security to daughter. Dad’s time spells direction & leadership. Between them they grow productive now & confident for the future. These are not merely moral or spiritual thoughts but have become subject matter for research.
Digital Overstimulation & Right Brain Preponderance. Dr Lalith Mendis
Cartoons affect the child in many ways
- ADHD, ADD – process may begin in the womb when the mother is exposed to violent music or movies. Mother’s neuro-transmitters cross the baby’s brain. Stimulant neurotransmitters in mother’s blood causes receptor down-regulation in child brain – in later life inattention which increases thru maternal neglect & digital nanny sitting. Prefrontal cortex is over wired causing impulsivity. Reticular system of the Brian is aroused overmuch.
- Cartoons have a colour mix different to nature. Colours are too bright & contrasting – purple, red, orange, black in greater proportion and colour changes are dramatic & speedy rather than gradual – all these connect neurones of right parietal lobe & visual cortex overmuch
- Cartoon over exposure Interferes with the child’s needed hand, eye, motor coordination. Empathic Learning Therapy attempts to reverse wrong neuronal wiring by applying appropriate & graded methodology using arts, crafts, sculpture, moulding, sand art, indoor games, music, outdoor games, drama, implementable domestic management schedules, parent/child activities of hope & help
- Passive stimulus rather than creative interaction with live toys, crafts, arts etc.- wires up child for repetitive responses rather than creative responses.
- Nerve traffic from right to left is far in excess of left to right – child becomes imaginative, intuitive & ad hoc rather than planned & management. Natural % of Right brain children is overtaken. Too many want tom be presenters, journalists, dramatists, fashion designers etc. calibration & celebration outdo left brain management jobs. All want to show what others do. Doing % decreases & stars & presenters increase. Leisure & showmanship take centre stage rather than work.
- Shorter memory than with creative wok & hand writing – handwriting wires brain differently from tabbing baby laptops. Pixels promote short memory & passing interests. Reading solid print develops longer lasting memory & evokes imaginative scenes from stories & wires for creative fantasy rather than non existent fantasy.
- Repetitive brain loops & higher stimulant chemo transmitters in the brain & cortisol in the blood promotes addiction to junk food, internet gambling & other chemical addictions. It’s an addicted brain that the digital addict has.
- Short term interests
- Selfish & self absorbed
- Morality towards – violence, mocking seniors, sexually arousing cartoons
