Gia (3:13)

Whoa. That was a close race, Trusty. But we did it.

Uncle Trusty (3:17)

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?

Gia (3:39)

Hairy Doodles? Seriously?

Uncle Trusty (3:41)

Sorry.

Gia (3:42)

It's okay. I'm used to you always saying silly things like that. Anyway, the answer is a. Attention Deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Uncle Trusty (3:53)

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?

Gia (4:02)

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.

Uncle Trusty (4:41)

I see. Now, I had heard of add, which stood for Attention Deficit Disorder. Is this different?

Gia (4:48)

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.

Uncle Trusty (5:00)

Right. Based on the things you just said, ADHD sounds like it comes with challenges for a lot of different parts of life.

Gia (5:07)

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.

Uncle Trusty (5:17)

That is good news, especially since quite a few kids have adhd. Smartypants, how many kids in the United States do you think have ADHD? Is it A, one out of every 10 kids, B, one out of every 13 kids, or C, one out of every 15 kids?

Gia (5:35)

If you said B one out of every 13 kids, you're right.

Uncle Trusty (5:42)

Wow. That means if you have two teams playing baseball and there's nine players per team, there's a good chance that at least one of the 18 total players will have ADHD.

Gia (5:52)

Same goes for softball Which I love to play. Of course, sometimes I get a little distracted when I'm in the field because there's a lot of time where you're standing around between pitches and nothing is happening.

Uncle Trusty (6:05)

I'm not gonna lie, I found myself occasionally dozing off a little when I used to play the outfield in Little League.

Gia (6:12)

Yeah, that's pretty normal. Before I was diagnosed with adhd, I had a really hard time keeping my body still. That's another reason why I love field day so much. It gives me and all the other kids an opportunity to move our bodies.

Uncle Trusty (6:28)

What about when you're in class?

Gia (6:30)

Well, on regular school days, it's helpful for kids with ADHD and even kids without ADHD to take movement breaks. Like I said, a lot of kids with ADHD are hyperactive.

Uncle Trusty (6:42)

Smartypants, what do you think it means to be hyperactive? Does it mean you A, have a hard time staying still, B need to be reminded to move, or C are only active at school?

Gia (6:54)

If you said A, have a hard time staying still, you're right. Kids who are hyperactive may talk a lot or make click sounds with their mouths. For me, I sometimes squirm in my chair if I have to sit for.

Uncle Trusty (7:07)

Too long, which is why it's good to take movement breaks. Nobody likes sitting still for a long time.

Gia (7:13)

Nope. Speaking of moving, it's time for the egg on a spoon race.

Uncle Trusty (7:17)

Oh, right. We have to walk to the cone and back 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. Woohoo. Way to go, G. Were you always such an expert egg on a spoon racer?

Gia (7:45)

Not at all. In fact, activities like this used to be really hard for me because my ADHD also makes me inattentive.

Uncle Trusty (7:53)

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.

Gia (8:13)

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 rules. Sometimes I also get bothered by noises in the classroom when I'm trying to work.

Uncle Trusty (8:36)

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.

Gia (8:48)

Don't worry about it, Uncle Trusty. Come on, let's head over to the hoopstickle course.

Uncle Trusty (8:53)

What's a hoopstickle course?

Gia (8:55)

We take turns running around, stepping through, and twirling hula hoops.

Uncle Trusty (9:00)

Ah, sounds fun. But I will leave the hula hooping to you.

Gia (9:03)

Thanks. I love this game. It helps me make decisions sometimes I can be impulsive.

Uncle Trusty (9:10)

Smartypants, 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.

Gia (9:24)

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.

Uncle Trusty (9:49)

Good plan, and good luck. On your marks, get set. Oh, wow. She's really good at hula hooping. I think she's gonna win this one too. That was amazing. You're like the Simone Biles of Field Day.

Gia (10:04)

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.

Uncle Trusty (10:15)

Smarty pants, we know impulsive means making decisions too quickly. What do you think it means to be impulsive? 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.

Gia (10:35)

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?

Uncle Trusty (10:48)

I will say this as the trusty narrator of who 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.

Gia (11:05)

Wise words, Uncle Trusty. Wise words.

Uncle Trusty (11:08)

So what's next?

Gia (11:09)

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.

Uncle Trusty (11:16)

Seems simple enough.

Gia (11:17)

It is, but it actually reminds me of how different parts of your brain send messages to each other.

Uncle Trusty (11:23)

Oh, that sounds fascinating, Smartypants. We'll find out all about that right after this quick break. And a word from our sponsors. Hi, guys, It's Trusty. Today's episode is brought to you by Squarespace. And I need to tell you about their new design intelligence feature because it's a game changer for anyone who's been putting off creating a website website. Look, I know how intimidating tech can feel, but Squarespace's AI powered design system literally transforms your basic ideas into a beautiful professional website. We've used Squarespace to build websites here at Atomic, and what I love is that it combines AI tech with their decades of design expertise. You answer a few simple questions and it creates a fully customized site that actually looks good. No more staring at a blank screen wondering where to start. And no need to spend thousands of dollars getting a site designed for a passion project or experimental idea. Plus, their payment system makes it super easy to get paid for your services. Whether you're selling courses, booking consulting sessions or offering downloads, they've got all the popular payment options like Apple Pay and Klarna built right in. Head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial and use code smarted to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Hey, smarty parents. I love Green Chef because of how absolutely easy the meals are to make and how every night it feels like we're eating at a restaurant right at home. The variety is excellent and includes meals for special diets like keto, gluten free and calorie smart. With pre portioned ingredients, there's less prep, less mess, and more time to enjoy delicious meals. Green Chef's easy to follow directions means my kitchen phobic family members actually cook when we get our Green Chef kit. And it's a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen too. Plus, Green Chef is owned by HelloFresh, which lets me switch between the brands for even more variety. And now my listeners can enjoy both at a discount with me. Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green chef. Go to greenchef.com smartedfree and use code smartedfree to get free salads for two months plus 50% off your first box that's greenchef.com smartedFree and use code smarted free to get free salads for two months Plus 50% off your first box. Green Chef the number one meal kit.

Abby (13:49)

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Uncle Trusty (14:53)

Now back to who's smarted. Okay, smarty pants. We're at the relay race at Field Day, and my niece Gia just told us how this event reminds how different parts of the brain send messages to each other. So g, what more can you tell us about that?

Gia (15:06)

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.

Uncle Trusty (15:48)

Well, you're obviously good at sports. You've won pretty much every event you've participated in here at Field Day.

Gia (15:54)

Speaking of, I gotta go run this relay race.

Uncle Trusty (15:58)

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.

Gia (16:15)

How was that, Uncle Trusty, amazing, and.

Uncle Trusty (16:18)

Nice job with the baton handoff.

Gia (16:20)

Yep. My brain may not always make smooth connections, but my body sure can.

Uncle Trusty (16:24)

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?

Gia (16:34)

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.

Uncle Trusty (16:44)

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?

Gia (16:54)

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.

Uncle Trusty (17:17)

I see.

Gia (17:18)

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.

Uncle Trusty (17:40)

Gotcha. So while ADHD is something that affects your daily life, it is something that can be managed without too much trouble.

Gia (17:47)

Exactly. But it is a constant tug of war and something I need to be mindful of.

Uncle Trusty (17:52)

Speaking of tug of war, I think that's up next.

Gia (17:55)

Yeah, but I don't know how much help I'll be. I'm not as strong as these other kids.

Uncle Trusty (18:00)

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.

Gia (18:14)

Whoa.

Uncle Trusty (18:18)

A special shout out to smarty fan Milla and her mom, Katelyn in New Zealand. Not only do they love listening to who smarted because it's fun and they learn new facts every day. Milla also suggested this episode to help kids and parents recognize the signs of adhd. Thanks, Milla. Or should I say sure? This episode, ADHD was written by Sara Sweetiek and voiced by Gia Davis and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hahn. Our associate producer is Max Kamasky. 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 Colbert. This has been an Atomic Audio production Too Smart and.