ADHD & AUTISM

ADHD and Autism – Messages from a Soul Overwhelmed by the World

In a world that moves too fast, where emotions are often buried beneath the surface of daily routines, more and more children are being labeled as “different,” “hyperactive,” or “lost in their own world.” ADHD and autism have become common diagnoses—handed out quickly, sometimes carelessly—without taking the time to listen to the story behind the behavior.

But what if these states are not illnesses in the traditional sense, but rather deep responses from a soul trying to survive in an environment it cannot fully understand—or that cannot fully understand it?

Andrei’s Story

Andrei was nine years old and carried an energy that seemed to come from another realm. He couldn’t sit still, interrupted constantly, forgot things, and his attention drifted away at the worst possible times. And yet, when he was drawing or observing nature, time would stop for him. In his grandmother’s garden, he could watch how light danced on a leaf for minutes on end. There, his mind felt at home.

He was diagnosed with ADHD and autism. His parents followed every recommendation—behavioral therapies, supplements, structured programs. Still, something didn’t feel right. No one really saw the child. They only saw the symptoms.

During an expressive therapy session, Andrei drew a child with glass wings.

— “Who is that?” the therapist asked.

— “Me,” Andrei answered quietly. “If I’m not careful, I’ll shatter.”

In that single sentence, his silent world began to open.

What is a child with ADHD or autism really trying to tell us?

From a psychosomatic perspective, ADHD is often more than just a chemical imbalance in the brain. It is frequently the expression of a hypersensitive nervous system, shaped by emotional chaos, disconnection, or subtle yet persistent trauma. It’s the response of a child who’s learned that being constantly alert is the only way to feel emotionally safe. But this chronic alertness prevents him from being still, from integrating, from simply being.

Autism, on the other hand, can be a protective shield. The child may seem “closed off,” but in reality, the world is too loud, too painful, too inconsistent for a soul that feels everything deeply. Behind the silence or repetitive rituals lies the need for control in a universe that feels overwhelming and unsafe.

Both ADHD and autism are often not signs of brokenness, but of deep emotional intelligence seeking safety, authenticity, and meaning. The body and behavior speak the language of the soul when words are not enough.

Healing doesn’t start with a protocol—it starts with presence

Instead of rushing to “fix” the child, we should pause and ask: What do you feel? What is your inner world trying to express?

Often, the child won’t answer in words—but they do answer through their drawings, behavior, and even silence. If we know how to listen, we discover pain that doesn’t belong to them alone—it belongs to the parents, the grandparents, and to generations who were never allowed to be sensitive, alive, or free.

ADHD and autism are not life sentences. They are invitations.

They challenge us to see the person beyond the label, to recognize the child not as “damaged,” but as a messenger. A soul bringing a new frequency—one that demands deeper presence, honesty, and connection.

Maybe, instead of asking how to “normalize” these children, we should ask how we can transform ourselves to truly understand them.👇

This article is part of the upcoming book “Your Body Speaks: Decoding the Emotional Messages of Illness”

Author: Natalia Alexandra Buciuman – Psychologist, Specialist in Psychosomatic Medicine