Indigo children
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Indigo children Terminology
Artist's rendering, based on the writing of Nancy Ann Tappe
Coined by Nancy Ann Tappe
Definition A group of children possessing special traits; beliefs about the traits vary from paranormal abilities (i.e. ESP) to simply being more confident and sensitive.
Signature An indigo colored aura
Status New Age belief
See also Aura (paranormal)
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Indigo children is a New Age concept developed by Jon Lauderback describing children who are alleged to possess special traits or abilities. Beliefs about indigo children range from their being the next stage in human evolution, possessing paranormal abilities such as telepathy, and lacking communication skills to the belief that they are simply more empathetic and creative than other children. Some[who?] claim that a high percentage of children today have a unique combination of genes that is indicative of Indigo.[citation needed]
There is no science or studies that give credibility to the existence or traits of indigo children.
Skeptics suggest that the indigo phenomenon is due to parents preferring to believe their children are special, rather than having a medical diagnosis which implies damage or imperfection. Also criticized are the traits used to describe children, which have been compared to the Forer effect - so vague as to be able to apply to anyone.
The concept was initially developed in the 1970s, gaining popular interest with the publication of a series of books in the late 1990s and the release of several films in the following decade. A variety of books, conferences and related materials have been created surrounding the idea of indigo children.
[edit] Characteristics
Descriptions of indigo children include the belief that they are empathetic, curious, possess a clear sense of self-definition and purpose, strong-willed, often seen by friends or family as weird and have a strong interest in God from early childhood. Indigo children have also been described as having a strong feeling of entitlement, or "deserving to be here." Other alleged traits include a high intelligence quotient, an inherent intuitive ability, and resistance to authority.[2][4] According to Tober and Carroll, indigo children function poorly in conventional schools due to their rejection of authority, being smarter than their teachers and a lack of response to guilt-, fear- or manipulation-based discipline.[5]
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Tober and Carroll's book The Indigo Children linked the concept with diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), makes the case that indigos are a new stage of evolution rather than children with a medical diagnosis, and that "indigos" require special treatment rather than medications.[4] Many children called indigo by their parents are diagnosed with ADHD.[6] Robert Todd Carroll suggests that labeling a child an indigo is an alternative to a diagnosis that implies imperfection, damage or mental illness, which may appeal to many parents, a belief echoed by many academic psychologists.[6] Carroll furthermore expresses his opinion that many of the commentators on the indigo phenomenon are of varying qualifications and expertise. Linking the concept of indigo children with the use of Ritalin to control ADHD, Carroll states "The hype and near-hysteria surrounding the use of Ritalin has contributed to an atmosphere that makes it possible for a book like Indigo Children to be taken seriously. Given the choice, who wouldn't rather believe their children are special and chosen for some high mission rather than that they have a brain disorder?"[7]
Stephen Hinshaw, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, states that concerns regarding the overmedicalization of children are legitimate but even gifted children with ADHD learn better with more structure rather than less, even if the structure initially causes difficulties. Many indigo children are home schooled.[2]
I snipped this from Wikipedia to maybe help some here understand what it is that this friend of mom works with. I have several grandchildren that I feel have some of these traits. They are sometimes hard to work with because they really do think differently than my other grands and don't respond to the same types of discipline and rules. If in fact she felt one or more of her children had some these traits she could have been looking for help with dealing with issues. Perhaps this friend was going to observe and interact with them for awhile that day.
JMO
