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Short Film: Jack and Jill Have ADHD

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MHLiteracy

5 mins 25 secs

Ages 8 - 18

Mental Health ConditionsAcademic SuccessADHD
Short Film: Jack and Jill Have ADHD

This video uses the story of Jack and Jill to explain ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), a neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorder that can impair daily social and academic functions. It highlights the challenges faced by those with ADHD, such as staying on task, and emphasizes the importance of understanding, support, and creative problem-solving. The video also touches on the potential risks of untreated ADHD, including depression and academic difficulties, and mentions possible strategies and treatments.

"9, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, zero. Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and looked up to see a bluebird flying by. So, Jack decided to chase the bird. It was a very pretty bird. Just then, a butterfly came by. Jack thought about Gretel, the young girl he liked who collects butterflies. This one would be perfect for... Jack then realized he had forgotten his smartphone back at the house. He needed it, as it had an app that would tell him what kind of butterfly he was chasing. 'Oh, this is bad. I need my phone. Wait, where are you going?' Meanwhile, Jill reached the top. She went to the well to fetch a pail of water. 'Jill? Ooh, now that's a beautiful view. It looks like the perfect place for an enchanted castle. Yep, that's the ticket. Needs flags. And a slide. Ooh, what a beautiful place. Jill? What? Aren't you forgetting something? Oh, yeah.' 'I tell ya, these youngsters nowadays can't keep their minds straight. Always distracted. Never think about what they're doing. Daisy! Oh, yeah. It's okay. I got it. A robot claw. What is a robot claw going to do? A lot. You can swat flies with it, for one.' 'Oh, right. Jack and Jill have ADHD.' What the townsfolk don't know is that ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorder that can impair daily social and academic functions, which can increase interpersonal problems both at the job level and at home. And as we can see, keeping on task isn't so easy. 'That's not fair. Yeah. We were just told to go fetch a pail of water. Go fetch. We're not dogs, you know. That reminds me. Did you feed Spot?' 'Yes, even though it was your turn. I did it yesterday.' 'Kids, you don't have an interest in helping out the town?' 'Of course we do. We live there, too. Well then, if you can't focus long enough to fill one bucket, how are you expected to refill the town's well?' 'Wait. You want us to fill the whole well? With a bucket? Yes. I'm out. This isn't an ADHD thing. That's way too much work. Fetch us water. Yeah. Kids. You need to think outside the box. Let us work as a team to brainstorm ideas with you. Get us invested. Just telling us to do something and not letting us know what the total outcome is isn't going to inspire us to do what you want. It's only going to get you the opposite.' 'Then you'll think we're just what's printed on these signs. And if you keep thinking that, soon we might start to believe you. It's a slippery slide going downhill.' 'I see your point. Hey, I have an idea. Jack, I need your help.' 'I'm on it. Ha, ha, ha, ha.' And so, Jill and Jack, with the assistance of this and that, helped get the water to the town. 'I never thought I'd see the day.' Thinking out of the box, with some wood from the docks, they turned people's frowns upside down. If unrecognized, ADHD can lead to depression, which is a serious medical disorder. Children with ADHD, which is approximately 5 to 8%, have a greater risk than their peers of poorer academic achievement. Upon consulting one's doctor, some special remembering strategies and medications can be a way to help an individual focus better, set goals, and move forward in life."