Life with ADHD, made by students at Safety Bay Senior High School in Australia (2023), offers a thoughtful look at attention differences and how they affect daily life. Rather than telling a single story, the short film draws on mood, image and sound to share perspectives on focus, sensory overload, isolation and mental health. It challenges common stereotypes and stigma around ADHD and cognitive processing differences, and asks audiences to reconsider assumptions about teenagers and learning. A timely addition to the Focus on Ability festival, this film highlights ability, resilience and the need for understanding in schools and communities.
That was so tiring. Did we really need to do that when it's this hot? And this sweat is not helping. Wow, this cold air is so nice. I wish it was winter, it's so much better than summer. Stop, I need to focus. It is way too hot, it sweats me from my shirt sticking to my back. Is that Blu Tack? I wonder how it got there? What was I holding up? Where did Blu Tack made from? I can't believe he's off task again. Sam, get back to your work or else I'm calling your parents. Yes ma'am. This is too much, my shirt is so annoying. Stop, I have to focus. When did this break again? How did it break? Don't I need to get a new one of these soon? I should- He's off task again, how can he just not focus? Get back to work Sam, this is your last chance. Okay. This is too much, it makes me feel overwhelmed. I'm overstimulated for everything. But I need to focus Sam, I can do this. I mean, I know what this is, but just how do I do this? Sam, take those headphones off and get back to work, you haven't done anything. I have done a lot, it's just a lot. It's not a lot. It is for me. How is this a lot? It's overwhelming because of my ADHD. Don't use your ADHD as an excuse, thank you. It's not an excuse, it's just how my brain- Get out, get out of my class. Fine. I'm calling your parents. F*** me. Hey, are you okay? Does it look like I'm okay? Sorry, um, what happened in there? Teachers aren't informed arseholes what happens. What do you mean by that? Don't get it, they just don't get it. Don't get what? What it's like to live and do things with ADHD. Isn't there medications for ADHD? There is, but it doesn't always help. Oh, well, what do you mean by that? My ADHD turns simple tasks into long list of steps and just so much is overwhelming. I didn't know it did that much. I just thought you got easily distracted and fidgety. It's not that it doesn't do that. It's just not as simple as more ADHD. How is it not that simple? Well, it's less distracted and more like brain wonders. Hyperactivity isn't just fidgeting, a physical thing. It's a mental thing. My brain is thinking all the time. Well, that sounds really draining on a mental part. It can be if I was stims me. But I usually need a lot more than just that to do it. What's overstimmed? People with ADHD have a lack in dopamine. So do things that would give them dopamine, which isn't the same for people that are neurotypical or between people that have ADHD. And do it can get you overstimulated. And I just irritate and sensitive so much stuff. It drains me and makes me so fatigued. I just need a rest, but I can't. So is that what you were doing when you were arguing with the teacher? Or was that something different? Yeah, it was. I just needed a rest because it's all so much. So you got overstimmed by being overwhelmed then? Yeah. That must make this class hard and tiring to do. Are all classes like this because of the teachers? No, not all classes. Most most of my teachers know that I can have a hard time. But no, I can catch back up in my own time and stuff. Have you ever tried to explain it to the teachers? I have, but she just thinks it's an excuse to try and get out of doing work. It's just so annoying. Have you ever talked to anyone else about this before? I've told friends past, but nothing that in depth. Oh, OK. Well, would you say that there are others who find school difficult because of their ADHD? There are definitely others that find it difficult with ADHD. Why don't we go talk to a staff member about this? They might be able to help. I don't want to bother anyone with this. It won't bother anyone. It'll help you and lots of other people with ADHD. I know, but I don't want to be the one to do it. Come on, Sam. It'll really help. Fine, I'll do it. OK.
Filmmaker
Safety Bay Senior High School is the filmmaker behind this entry.
Filmmaker profile pages are coming soon — in the meantime you can
browse all their films in the search.
?
0 comments
More Films Like This
Life with ADHD by Safety Bay Senior High School (2023)
Press Esc or click outside to close
Confirm Your Vote
Life with ADHD
by Safety Bay Senior High School - SCHOOL SHORT
