| In the 1970s and 1980s, a new belief system | | | | Hyperactivity Disorder), ADD (Attention Deficit |
| developed that was known as the New Age | | | | Disorder), Autism, and OCD |
| movement. The basis for this system was a | | | | (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). This is due to |
| combination of a variety of elements which | | | | the fact that, in her opinion, these indigo children |
| included alternative medicine, esotericism, religion, | | | | learn better with their hands and through |
| and environmentalism. The theory of the indigo | | | | movements. |
| child developed around this time as well. | | | | Critics point out that there is no substantial proof |
| These indigo children were children who were born | | | | that indigo children exist. The characteristics of |
| after the late 1970s and are thought to represent | | | | these youngsters that are described by Tappe |
| the next stage of human evolution. These | | | | could be used to describe almost anyone, and |
| youngsters are believed to exhibit a variety of | | | | these critics fear that by claiming that a child is an |
| signs of their advanced state, such as psychic | | | | indigo child may prevent him from getting the help |
| abilities or simply a greater degree of creativity | | | | that he may need. |
| and empathy towards others. | | | | Other critics point out that these children's |
| The term itself was coined by Nancy Ann Tappe, | | | | knowledge about things beyond their years could |
| who claimed that she could see the aura that | | | | be the simple result of the television programs |
| surrounds every human being. This aura is defined | | | | that they are watching. Many children's shows |
| as a field that illuminates colors around all | | | | today are much more complex and advanced |
| individuals. The color of a person's aura can define | | | | than they were when most of us were growing |
| the mood they are in or the type of person that | | | | up. The vocabulary and the content with which |
| they are. | | | | they deal with are somewhat "New Age," |
| Beginning in the late 1970s, Tappe claimed that | | | | entwining the plot with magic and a variety of |
| she began to notice babies that had an indigo | | | | powers and abilities. These youngsters may be |
| colored aura (thus the name for these children). | | | | copying much of what they learn from these |
| This aura proved that these children were more | | | | programs. |
| advanced than any children that had been born in | | | | As far as these children being more advanced and |
| the past. She further claims that 60% of people | | | | intelligent than youngsters of the past, this can |
| aged fourteen to twenty-five are indigo children, | | | | easily be explained as well. Since the 1970s, most |
| while 97% of the children born in the last decade | | | | children attended preschool prior to entering |
| belong to this group. | | | | kindergarten. These children are learning the basics |
| The characteristics of these children include | | | | at the age of three or four that we did not learn |
| independent thinking and the ability to tune into | | | | until we entered regular school. |
| other individuals around them. They are wise | | | | The belief in indigo children is like any other belief |
| beyond their years and do not accept | | | | system. While many people do not agree with the |
| conventional ways or authority. Tappe felt that | | | | concept, others swear by it. It all comes down |
| many of these indigo children are being | | | | personal choice and opinion. |
| misdiagnosed as having ADHD (Attention Deficit | | | | |