And now it's time for Who Smarted?
Psst. Hey, Smarty Pants.
As you can hear by the excitement in my voice, I'm pretty, well, excited.
That's because today I'm helping volunteer at my niece's school.
That's right. They're having a special event today.
But it's not inside the school.
Nope. We're spending the day outside.
In a field, forming teams and playing games.
Smarty Pants, what do you call this special event day Where you compete outside in teams as part of school?
Go ahead and shout it out Did you say Field Day?
That's right Oh boy, now you know why I'm so excited Oh, and here comes my niece now Hey, Gia Hey, Uncle Trusty Thanks for volunteering to help with Field Day My pleasure I used to love Field Day, too, when I was in school What's your favorite part?
Well, I love playing games, and being on a team with my friends, and having a day outside, especially on a perfect day like today.
But I also love field day because it's a nice break from being in the classroom all day.
Of course, what kid wouldn't rather be outside playing games than inside studying and learning in class?
Of course, learning is very important, but for one day, it's okay.
Yeah, but it's not just that, Uncle Trusty.
As I'm sure you know, I have ADHD, so paying attention to lessons on a regular school day can be hard for me.
Oh, I see. Say, Gia, would you mind helping the smarty pants and I learn more about ADHD?
I promise it won't take any time away from your field day.
Sure. I love helping people learn.
Great. So, what do you want to learn more about?
Well, for one thing, what does ADHD stand for?
What does it mean if you have ADHD?
How common is it? And what are some ways to treat ADHD?
I think I can manage that.
Between capture the flag, the three -legged race, and tug -of -war.
Perfect. Then it's time for another whiff of science and history on...
Who's smarted? Who's smarted?
Who's smart? Is it you?
Is it me? Is it science or history?
Listen up! Everyone, we make smarting lots of fun on Who Smarted.
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Whoa! That was a close race, trustee!
But we did it! You sure did!
Okay, while I have you, let's start with a simple question.
What does ADHD stand for?
Smarty Pants, does it stand for A.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder B.
Appetite Diet Hungry Disorder C.
Allergy Dry Eyes Hurts Disorder Or D.
Always draw hairy doodles.
Hairy doodles? Seriously?
Sorry. It's okay. I'm used to you always saying silly things like that.
Anyway, the answer is A.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Nice job if you got that right, Smarty Pants.
Of course, those are some big words.
Gia, do you have time to explain what they mean before the next relay race?
Yeah, no problem. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is different for everyone, but for a lot of people, it makes things like getting ready for school, paying attention in class, sitting still, or staying in one place tricky.
That's because those things require attention, and an attention deficit means you struggle with your attention.
At the same time, you might have trouble keeping your things organized, controlling your emotions, making friends, or getting along with other people.
Not to mention, falling asleep at night can be hard.
That's because of the hyperactivity disorder in which your brain is overly stimulated, even when it doesn't need to be.
I see. Now, I had heard of ADD, which stood for Attention Deficit Disorder.
Is this different? No.
ADD and ADHD are the same thing.
Most people just use ADHD now.
Experts think people with ADHD process information differently than other people.
Right. Based on the things you just said, ADHD sounds like it comes with challenges for a lot of different parts of life.
It does. But the good news is there are lots of ways to manage ADHD.
Some of them are things other people can help with.
And some are things kids can do by themselves.
That is good news, especially since quite a few kids have ADHD.
while balancing an egg on a spoon.
Here's a spoon and an egg.
Good luck. Ready, set, go.
Go, Gia, go, go. Oh wow, she's doing it.
She's in the lead. And she won.
Woo -hoo, way to go, G.
Were you always such an expert egg -on -a -spoon racer?
Not at all. In fact, activities like this used to be really hard for me because my ADHD also makes me inattentive.
Smartypants, what does it mean to be inattentive?
Does it mean, A, very focused, B, having a hard time staying focused on things you think are boring or hard, or C, don't care if you pay attention or not?
If you said, B, having a hard time staying focused on things you think are boring or hard, you're right.
I can focus really well on things I'm interested in or things I like to do.
I love games, and I'm also really interested in art and science, so I don't have a hard time paying attention to those things.
But sometimes I have a hard time paying attention in math, or when we learn about punctuation and spelling rolls.
Sometimes I also get bothered by noises in the classroom when I'm trying to work.
Well, you were definitely focused on the egg and spoon race.
Here, let me see if I can do it.
Okay, here I go. Yeah, I think I'm better at scrambling eggs than transporting them.
via a spoon. Don't worry about it, Uncle Trusty.
Come on, let's head over to the hoopsticle course.
What's a hoopsticle course?
We take turns running around, stepping through, and twirling hula hoops.
Ah, sounds fun. But I will leave the hula hooping to you.
Thanks. I love this game.
It helps me make decisions.
Sometimes I can be impulsive.
Smarty Pants, what do you think it means to be impulsive?
Does it mean you make decisions A, too quickly, B, too slowly, or C, only when you feel like it?
If you said A too quickly, you're right.
Even though it would probably be really fun to run through the middle of the hoop course, and I know that would be the fastest way to get through, I thought about it, and I know that's not how this game works.
It might make my classmates and teachers angry if I did something like that without thinking about it first.
Instead, I'm going to run around some hoops, step through some hoops, and twirl some hoops.
I also need to remember to wait my turn.
Good plan, and good luck.
On your marks, get set, go!
Oh wow, she's really good at hula hooping.
I think she's going to win this one too.
That was amazing. You're like the Simone Biles of field day.
Oh, Uncle Trusty, don't be so dramatic.
I will say, games like this are a fun way to practice decision making.
Some kids with ADHD are indecisive instead of impulsive.
Smarty Pants, we know impulsive means making decisions too quickly.
What do you think it means to be indecisive?
Does it mean that you make decisions A, without thinking?
B, too slowly. Or C, only about what to eat?
If you said B, too slowly, nice job.
Sometimes people with ADHD are afraid to make a mistake So they become indecisive and take a really long time to make a decision It doesn't help that I'm also a Gemini That's a little astrological humor Right, I will say this As the trusty narrator of Who's Smart It?
I've come to learn that a lot of the greatest discoveries in history have come from mistakes or accidents In fact, we did an entire episode on accidental inventions So smartypants, don't be afraid to make a mistake just keep on Smarting.
Wise words, Uncle Trusty.
Wise words. So what's next?
Ah, looks like the relay race where we have to run to the cones, run back, and then pass the baton to the next runner.
Seems simple enough.
It is, but it actually reminds me of how different parts of your brain send messages to each other.
Oh, that sounds fascinating.
Smarty pens, we'll find out all about that right after this quick break and a word from our sponsors.
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Now back to Who Smarted.
Okay, Smarty Pants, we're at the relay race at field day.
And my niece, Gia, just told us how this event reminds her how different parts of the brain send messages to each other.
So, G, what more can you tell us about that?
Different parts of your brain send messages back and forth, telling you to do stuff.
Things like paying attention and sitting still in school.
Similar to when a runner in a relay race passes the baton to the next runner on their team.
For most people, this system works pretty well.
But for a person with ADHD, it's like the next person on the team doesn't always pick up the baton and run.
What happens is, part of that person's brain isn't getting the message.
But even though someone with ADHD, like me, may have a hard time with certain things, there are lots of other things that I can be really good at.
Not to brag or anything, but I'm great at sports.
And music. And I know a lot about how computers and other technology works.
Well, you're obviously good at sports.
You've won pretty much every event you've participated in here at Field Day.
Speaking of, I gotta go run this relay race.
And they're off. Gia is running the anchor leg.
Ooh, it's gonna be close.
Never mind. Gia is fast as lightning.
Nobody's catching her.
Yep, Gia and her team won again.
They are on top of the leaderboard for Field Day.
How was that, Uncle Trusty?
Amazing. And nice job with the baton handoff.
Yep, my brain might not always make smooth connections, but my body sure can.
Field day is almost over, which means this episode is wrapping up too.
Last question. What do you do to help manage your ADHD symptoms for school and other places?
Well, my teacher is really great about giving the class movement breaks when we've been sitting for a long time.
She also lets me sit in a place in the classroom where I can pay the best attention.
Smarty Pants, where do you think that would be?
Is it A. Near kids who talk a lot?
B, near the window or door, or C, in a quiet area.
If you said, C, in a quiet area, you're right.
I can pay attention and do my best work when I don't have a lot of distractions, like being near people who are constantly talking or sitting near the window or door.
I also get something called an accommodation, which gives me some extra time to take quizzes and tests.
I needed a note from a special doctor to get the accommodation.
I see. Speaking of doctors, some kids with ADHD take medicine that helps manage our symptoms.
I need to make sure I take the exact amount my doctor prescribes, and I need to take it at the right times of day.
My mom helps me with this.
It's also important for me to drink a lot of water and to try my best to get a lot of sleep at night so I am well -rested for the next day.
Gotcha. So while ADHD is something that affects your daily life, it is something that can be managed without too much trouble.
Exactly. But it is a constant tug of war and something I need to be mindful of.
Speaking of tug of war, I think that's up next.
Yeah, but I don't know how much help I'll be.
I'm not as strong as these other kids.
Maybe not, but you've definitely helped a lot of smarty pants understand what people with ADHD go through.
And that's a lot more important than winning a tug of war contest.
What do you know? She won that too.
Whoa. A special shout out to Smarty fan Mila and her mom, Caitlin, in New Zealand.
Not only do they love listening to Who Smarted because it's fun and they learn new facts every day, Mila also suggested this episode to help kids and parents recognize the signs of ADHD.
Thanks, Mila. Or should I say, churr.
This episode, ADHD, was written by Sarah Swietek and voiced by Gia Davis and Jerry Kolber.
Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hahn.
Our associate producer is Max Kamaski.
The theme song is by Brian Suarez, with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex -Davis.
Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex -Davis and Jerry Colburn.
This has been an Atomic Audio production.
