Indigo Children

Some parents believe their children are the vanguard of a new generation of gifted kids sent to save the world — but many doctors say these kids may need medical help

By Shirley Shin, Lindsay Watts, Rocio Zamora, July 24, 2007

"Indigo Children" followers believe their kids are hyperactive because they're hyper-aware. But they might also be diagnosed as bipolar or ADHD.
Photo: Rocio Zamora, News21

Every parent wants to believe their child is special. One group claims its children are extra special.

Followers of the Indigo Children movement, which started in the 1970s, say a new generation of highly sensitive and spiritually gifted kids are here to save the world. They claim many of these kids are exceptionally smart, self-motivated and sometimes able to read minds.

But some doctors say these so-called Indigo Children exhibit characteristics of bipolar and attention deficit disorders. They worry that Indigo parents won’t provide their kids with the assistance they need — especially parents who advocate alternative health regimens in place of medication to control their children’s behavior.

The movement has gained momentum in recent years following the release of the cult movie The Indigo Evolution, and the popular book The Indigo Children: The New Kids Have Arrived, by Lee Carroll and Jan Tober.

Carroll and Tober define being an Indigo Child by the following 10 characteristics:

• They come into the world with a feeling of royalty (and often act like it).

•They have a feeling of "deserving to be here," and are surprised when others do not share that.

Marchelle, top, and Sara Wertz
Photo: Rocio Zamora, News21

• They often tell the parents "who they are."

• They have difficulty with absolute authority (authority without explanation or choice).

• They simply will not do certain things; for example, waiting in line is difficult for them.

• They get frustrated with systems that are ritually oriented and do not require creative thought.

• They often see better ways of doing things, both at home and in school, which makes them seem like "system busters" (non-conforming to any system).

• They seem antisocial unless they are with their own kind. If there are no others of like consciousness around them, they often turn inward, feeling like no other human understands them. School is often extremely difficult for them socially.

• They will not respond to "guilt" discipline. ("Wait till your father gets home and finds out what you did.").

• They are not shy in letting it be known what they need.

Are you an Indigo? Take the quiz.

Comments

Christina Rose, 2007-09-21 15:25:08 -- Flag for review

Our children are our evolution - just because their behavior doesn't fit "the mold" doesn't mean it's abnormal or requires modification - "and a little child shall lead them...." Children & animals have a lot to teach us all. With regard to Elizabeth Robert's comments re "proof" - who can prove there is a God? Who can prove what love is? Who can prove any creation theory? Or that all the facts in the bible are true? It is arrogance to assume that any of us know the answer to some very big questions about where we are headed. In order for us to evolve, we must open our minds to the possibility that we all have much to learn and in order to do so we must assume the simple faith of the children who have so much to teach us.

dee, 2007-09-29 16:13:30 -- Flag for review

i think being an indigo is fine.finally i feel like i belong.there is a name for what i can do.thank you now i can help my sons

tracy, 2007-12-17 13:24:50 -- Flag for review

I have to say thanks for the information about "Indigo Children". Whatever one's personal belief about whether these children are "Indigo" or not, just looking at the ways to deal with children (all children) by giving them choices and then opportunities to practice choice making is a good thing. It is something I use a lot in working with children, and really have seen good results just with that practice.

someone, 2008-02-02 16:18:22 -- Flag for review

Oh my GOD!!!!! I cannot believe the state of CO gave my nephew to a bunch of freaks!!!! I can't wait for the day he turns 18 and I can show him all the papers and how we fought for him! Until then I will pray to God he doesn't turn out like the freaks that stole him from us.

someone, 2008-02-02 16:25:59 -- Flag for review

Another question...how are all the Wertz's children indigo???? They are all adopted, except their own 2 daughters. Did the "Indigo" god pick them for all the children???? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they don't "drug" the kids, but they are still freaks.

Indigo, 2008-04-02 16:54:26 -- Flag for review

oh so these adults are all aliens are they?
They dont seem to know how children really are...and adults if they are lucky....they havent been around in the 60s?...they mustve missed all those young things wanting to change the world, to bring peace, to consider the environment (oops they didnt get that one did they...they will no doubt add it when they catch up with the news)..and intuition..they obviously didnt know about that...something we all have if we are allowed to be human..thats why we have a word in the language you know..its been around a long time this intuition.
This says more about the sorry state these adults are in or the sorry state of the culture they must live in...poor things dont realise the rest of the world sees all these things as normal human traits...human at its best that is..they must ve missed out somewhere..could it be their diet poor things. Maybe we wouldnt need to want peace and well being for the world if the likes of them and their culture didnt create the mayhem they do.

Im not an old hippy and Im certainly not ADHD and I was definately too awake to take on board any brain washing by my parents..like these kids here. Im not the young generation anymore either...
Thank God there are some real positives in the world to be grateful for...these poor kids with their ego ego very mood making parents, and money making author are certainly not among them.

Granny dude, 2008-04-24 08:51:24 -- Flag for review

I think indigo children are fake

Blade, 2008-06-09 06:57:25 -- Flag for review

We're as fake as you.

virginia, 2008-08-02 18:25:13 -- Flag for review

Please send me more on Indigo Children. I just learned about Indigo Children from a lady on our city bus.

Luz, 2008-08-12 14:50:08 -- Flag for review

The part I like the most is that they don't respond to guilt discipline and question authority. These are traits we all need. There is no self responsitility nor evolution without questionint and evaluating.

Luz Aguirrebena
Founder
Soul Hang Out
http://soulhangout.net

Luz, 2008-08-12 14:50:39 -- Flag for review

Audio:Shirley Shin profiles the Wertz family and supporters and detractors of the Indigo Children movement

Voices from the Indigo Debate

Click the photos for more:

Martha Wertz regulates her kids' diets, simplifies their environments and uses essential oils to help them calm down and focus. She says many parents are too quick to medicate their children.

Sara Wertz, 12, says she believes she's an "indigo." We asked if she's ever considered that it's not true.

Christopher Wertz, 10, has been diagnosed with ADHD. He talks about his hyperactivity and what it means to be an "indigo."

Marchelle Wertz, 22, says she's "indigo" because she has a strong intuition and desire to change the world.

Doreen Virtue, Ph.D. is the author of several books about indigo children. Virtue says "indigos" are here to save the world.

Elizabeth Roberts, M.D., is a child psychiatrist. She says parents may use the "indigo" label because they don't want to admit their child has a disorder or behavior problem.

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USC Off the Beaten Path: The Search for Spirituality