Editing Indigo children (section)

== Attributed characteristics ==
Descriptions of indigo children include that they:{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
* Are [[empathic]], [[curiosity|curious]], and [[Self control|strong-willed]]
* Are often perceived by friends and family as being strange
* Possess a clear sense of self-definition and purpose
* Show a strong innate subconscious spirituality from early childhood (which, however, does not necessarily imply a direct interest in spiritual or religious areas)
* Have a strong feeling of entitlement, or deserving to be here

Other attributed traits include:<ref name = Leland2006/><ref name = Carroll1999/>
* High [[intelligence quotient]]
* Inherent [[intuition (knowledge)|intuitive]] ability
* Resistance to rigid, control-based paradigms of authority

According to Tober and Carroll, indigo children may function poorly in conventional schools due to their rejection of rigid authority, their being smarter or more spiritually mature than their teachers, and their lack of response to guilt-, fear- or manipulation-based discipline.<ref name = DN/>

According to research psychologist [[Russell Barkley]], the New Age movement has yet to produce empirical evidence of the existence of indigo children, as the traits most commonly attributed to them are closely aligned with the [[Forer effect]]—so vague that they could describe nearly anyone. Many critics see the concept of indigo children as made up of extremely general traits, a sham diagnosis that is an alternative to a medical diagnosis, with a complete lack of [[science]] or studies to support it.<ref name = Leland2006/><ref name = jayson/>

===Indigo as an alternative to diagnosis===
Retired professor of philosophy and skeptic [[Robert Todd Carroll]] notes that many of the commentators on the indigo phenomenon are of varying qualifications and expertise, and parents may prefer labeling their child an indigo as an alternative to a diagnosis that implies poor parenting, [[narcissistic parent]]ing, damage,<ref name="NamkaL">{{cite web|url=http://www.angriesout.com/grown17.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021001120819/http://www.angriesout.com/grown17.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 1, 2002 |title=Selfishness And Narcissism in Family Relationships |work=AngriesOut.com |author=Namka, Lynne |date=2005 |access-date=June 14, 2014 }}</ref> or [[Mental disorder|mental illness]].<ref name = Carroll/> This is a belief echoed by academic psychologists.<ref name = jayson/> Some mental health experts are concerned that labeling a disruptive child an "indigo" may delay proper diagnosis and treatment that could help the child or look into the parenting style that may be causing the behavior.<ref name = Leland2006>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/12/fashion/thursdaystyles/12INDIGO.html | title = Are They Here to Save the World? | first = J | last = Leland | work = [[The New York Times]] | date = 2006-01-12 | access-date = 2009-04-15  }}</ref><ref name = DN>{{cite news | url = http://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-03-09/news/little-boy-blue/full | title = Little Boy Blue | first = J | last = Hyde | newspaper = [[Dallas Observer]] | date = 2006-03-09 | access-date = 2009-04-15 | archive-date = 2014-10-31 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141031153817/http://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-03-09/news/little-boy-blue/full/ | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="NamkaL"/> Others have stated that many of the traits of indigo children could be more prosaically interpreted as simple unruliness and alertness.<ref name=jayson>{{cite news | url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2005-05-31-indigo-kids_x.htm | title = Indigo kids: Does the science fly? | first = S | last = Jayson | newspaper = [[USA Today]] | date = 2005-05-31 | access-date = 2007-10-23}}</ref>

=== Relationship to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ===
Many children labeled indigo by their parents are diagnosed with [[attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder]] (ADHD)<ref name = jayson/> and Tober and Carroll's book ''The Indigo Children'' linked the concept with diagnosis of ADHD.<ref name=Carroll1999/>  [[David B. Cohen (psychologist)|David Cohen]] points out that labeling a child an indigo is an alternative to a diagnosis that implies [[Mental disorder|mental illness]], which may appeal to many parents.<ref name = jayson/>  Cohen has stated, "The view in medicine is that ADHD is a defect. It's a disorder. If you're a parent, the idea of 'gifted' is much more appealing than the idea of a disorder."<ref name = jayson/>  Linking the concept of indigo children with the distaste for the use of [[methylphenidate|Ritalin]] to control ADHD, [[Robert Todd 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?"<ref name = Carroll>{{cite web | url = http://skepdic.com/indigo.html | publisher = [[The Skeptic's Dictionary]] | last = Carroll | first = RT | author-link = Robert Todd Carroll | title = Indigo child | access-date = 2009-04-13 | date = 2009-02-23}}</ref>  Stephen Hinshaw, a professor of psychology at the [[University of California, Berkeley]], states that concerns regarding the overmedicalization of children are legitimate but even [[Intellectual giftedness|gifted]] children with ADHD learn better with more structure rather than less, even if the structure initially causes difficulties.  Many labeled as indigo children are or have been [[Homeschooling|home schooled]].<ref name = Leland2006/> Many children labeled as indigo children have the same identifying criteria as those children who have experienced being raised by a narcissistic parent, and are considered to have been emotionally abused.<ref name="NamkaL"/>

A 2011 study suggested parents of children with ADHD who label their children as "indigos" may perceive problematic behaviors emblematic of ADHD to be more positive and experience less frustration and disappointment, though they still experience more [[negative emotion]]s and conflicts than parents of children without a diagnosis.<ref>{{Cite journal 
| last1 = Lench | first1 = H. C. 
| last2 = Levine | first2 = L. J. 
| last3 = Whalen | first3 = C. K. 
| doi = 10.1177/1087054711427401 
| title = Exasperating or Exceptional? Parents' Interpretations of Their Child's ADHD Behavior 
| journal = Journal of Attention Disorders 
| year = 2011 
| pmid = 22166469 
| volume=17
| issue=2
| pages=141–51
| s2cid = 945004 
}}</ref>

===Relation to autism===
'''Crystal children''', a concept related to indigo children, has been linked to the [[autism spectrum]].  Proponents recategorize autistic symptoms as [[telepathic]] powers, and attempt to reconceptualize “the autistic traits associated with them as part of a positive identity".  Autism researcher [[Mitzi Waltz]] states that there may be inherent dangers to these beliefs, leading parents to deny the existence of impairments, avoid proven treatments and spend considerable money on unhelpful interventions.  Waltz states that "Parents may also transmit belief systems to the child that are self-aggrandizing, confusing, or potentially frightening".<ref name = Waltz>{{Cite journal | last1 = Waltz | first1 = M. | title = From Changelings to Crystal Children: An Examination of 'New Age' Ideas About Autism | doi = 10.1080/15228960802581511 | journal = Journal of Religion, Disability & Health | volume = 13 | issue = 2 | pages = 114–128 | year = 2009 | s2cid = 145013299 }}</ref>