If modern psychology had existed in 1853, Thomas Edison, inventor of such as the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, the motion picture camera, as well as improving the telegraph and telephone,would have probably been deemed a victim of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) and prescribed a hefty dose of the ‘miracle drug’ Ritalin.
He was born Feb. 11, 1847 and died Oct. 18, 1931 and because he was such a well known character he is mentioned more often than any other historical figure for exhibiting classic ADHD behaviour
As one of the most prolific inventors of all time, Thomas Edison exerted a tremendous influence on modern life. Edison was not just an inventor but also became a successful manufacturer of his inventions and a businessman selling them.
Thomas Eddison was the last of seven children. He did not learn to talk until he was four years old and he also suffered with hearing difficulties. At the age of seven - after being in school for only three months ( a noisy one-room schoolhouse with 38 other students of all ages) - Thomas's teacher supposedly lost his patience with the child's persistent questioning and self-centered behaviour( The biography of Thomas Edison By Gerald Beals Copyright © 1999 All Rights Reserved ).He told Thomas’s parents that he thought Thomas’s brain was ‘addled’.
Thomas Edison’s genetic predisposition for creativity, energy, and inventiveness and his genetic explanation for his ADHD characteristics would have been easily explained by the nature of his parents, both very strong -willed and energetic.
Whether an ADHD “energy gene” manifests itself in positive energy or negative energy depends very much on “nurture” or environmental influences. The school environment he was in was obviously wrong for him. Indeed it may well have been the wrong environment for many of the 38 pupils in that crowded schoolroom.
The nurture he received from his parents however was ideal. His parents decided that the crowded schoolroom was the wrong place for their obviously intelligent son. As there was no other suitable school around, and because they could afford to, they gave Thomas home schooling with private tutors. Tutors who encouraged mental stimulation, mindfulness and meditation on great works.
Children with ADHD often have lots of mental energy which can be confused with physical energy so that ordinary teachers feel that the child needs to ‘let off steam’ and run around for a bit. However that can sometimes increase the mental anxiety. Finding a balance between the physical and mental energy of ADHD children is challenging and it is what special school staff are good at.
Teachers in special schools today know the benefits of Neurofeedback training for children with ADHD . They can also ensure that pupils can receive meditation, yoga, and other relaxation techniques. They know that these can enable the pupil to be in the right frame of mind to learn.
They are also cost-effective and would reduce the drugs used which will save the child from drug side effects and save the NHS a fortune. We provide these therapies at Ysgol pen Coch. We introduce Neurofeedback training for pupils in September 2016. Sometimes a child does not need to be home schooled but just be in the right school.
Ange anderson
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