What is ADHD?

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Vermont Public

Nature, Kids & Family, Science, Language

4.3 • 5.6K Ratings

🗓️ 29 May 2026

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What is ADHD? How does ADHD affect the brain? Why do only some people have it? How can we control our brains? An estimated 11 percent of U.S. kids are diagnosed with the neurological condition known as ADHD, so you may have it or have a friend or classmate with this unique way of thinking. In this episode we explore how you can learn to balance the strengths and challenges of ADHD with Dr. Liz Angoff, author of the Brain Building Book.

Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hi, it's Jane. Every summer, my family makes a list of the things we want to do while the weather is warm.
0:07.4	It includes things like how many different lakes we want to jump into, what animals we hope to see, and new crafts we want to try out.
0:15.3	This summer, But Wye has made a summer bucket list and an invitation to you to join the But-Wyf fan club so you can get it.
0:23.3	New members of the fan club will get a special But-Wy summer adventure kit with a notebook, a magnifying glass, a drawstring bag,
0:30.5	and a list of fun summer activities and adventures to have together.
0:34.4	With a $10 a month donation, you're supporting all we do at But Why to explore
0:39.5	and encourage curiosity and learning, and you're getting the summer adventure kit. Check it out
0:45.1	and make your gift at ButYKids.org slash donate. This is But Why, A Podcasts, This is But Why, a podcast for curious kids from Vermont Public.
1:16.8	I'm Jane Lindholm.
1:18.1	On this show, we take questions from curious kids just like you, and we find answers.
1:24.1	We get a lot of questions from you about how our bodies work. And sometimes the part of your body you're interested in learning more about is your brain.
1:33.7	Several of you have been sending us a specific kind of brain question lately.
1:38.1	What is ADHD?
1:39.6	My name is Amir. I'm nine years old. I live in Limerick, Ireland.
1:43.8	My name is Ava. I live in Sioux in New York. I'm eight years old. What is ADHD?
1:50.0	My name is Tristan. I'm eight years old. I live in Apex, North Carolina. And I want to know, what is ADHD?
1:59.7	My name is Felix. I'm nine years old. And I'm from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
2:04.1	What is ADHD?
2:05.6	ADHD is a term used to describe a certain type of brain and the ways it's similar and different from other types of brains.
2:14.0	We wanted to get someone who knows a lot about ADHD to help us tackle your questions today.
2:20.3	I'm Dr. Liz, and my job in the world is to help kids understand their amazing brains.
2:27.4	Dr. Liz Angoff is a licensed educational psychologist and the author of a book called Our Brain's Empowering Neurodivergent Minds.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 21 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Vermont Public, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Vermont Public and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.