A unique and evolving vocabulary to describe an increasing number of children

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

During my years working in the schools and in my private practice, I have met many Indigos. I find them to be wise, intuitive, caring, and curious and they often have a “spark” – which seems to challenge the existing educational and societal constructs.

Many students who have been diagnosed with ADHD are Indigos. It’s as if the characteristics that define one, describe the other: out–of–the–box, right-brained and otherwise unconventional learner, and global thinker.

In addition to the previous descriptors, Indigos are often described as old souls. They may be immature, yet older than their years. They like animals and nature. They might seem to have low self-esteem while simultaneously acting grandiose. The rebellious spirit of the Indigo seems to say: I know I’m here for a purpose. I know that the way we treat each other and our Earth is supposed to change. I’m tired of waiting. Let’s get on with it!

Indigo children are described as being born in 1978 or later, yet many born prior to 1978 will see themselves in the Indigo descriptors. Authors Nancy Ann Tappe, Lee Carroll and Jan Tober have written about Indigo children. Doreen Virtue, in her book The Care and Feeding of Indigo Children, offers a complete list of characteristics.

At the time of their identification, Indigo Children were not as common as they are now. Over the years I have encountered many more of these students. The qualities of Indigos also seem to be changing, evolving if you will. Doreen Virtue identified this next group as Crystal Children. They have all the same qualities as the Indigos, but they don’t have the rebellious spark and vigor. They personify the empathic spirit of the Indigos. It’s as if they exude love and are spreading compassion and acceptance.

Incidentally, no group is considered “better” than another. They may be variations or maybe each group has a purpose. It seems that Indigos had to jumpstart change. Most people are not keen on changing and systems can even be slower. So Indigos needed a kick-butt attitude to get us moving.

Just as Indigos increased in numbers, Crystals are also increasing in numbers. I have considered the possibility that many children with autism are Crystal Children. Is the growing number of children with autism indicative of the increase of Crystal Children? While children with autism are hypersensitive, not all Sensitives, nor all Crystals, have autism. As I explained in Sensitive Children, Sensitives are interconnected with others on an empathic and energetic level, though they are often challenged to connect with others socially. I have heard many parents of children with autism tell of their child’s psychic knowing about family, friends or others. Parents also often describe their children with autism as being filled with love.

Another group are Rainbow Children. They are similar to Crystals, but according to Doreen Virtue they don’t have the karmic ‘baggage’ of past lives. Baggage refers to unresolved issues as a result of our life experiences. Karmic baggage is the idea that a person has unresolved issues that have carried forward from other lifetimes. Students of metaphysics hold the belief that these experiences from past lives can subconsciously affect us in the present.

Indigos, Crystals, Rainbows, Lightworkers, Sensitives, Six-Sensories, Star Children. Regardless of the name, they/we are living these concepts: We are all interconnected. We are each more than a member of the family of Earth, or even the Universe. We are multidimensional beings.

I strive to help these individuals, their families and educators realize that though they don’t always excel in the way that society expects – academically, socially, etc, they have gifts and are worthy. Regardless of age, as I work with these individuals I help them to:

• Understand and accept their sensitivities, empathy and intuition
• Develop self-confidence and be empowered
• Establish personal and energetic boundaries
• Minimize their sensitivities, fears and the effects of anxiety
• Remember that they are spiritual beings having a human experience

I hold the Indigo, Crystal, Rainbow and Star Children in your life in light and love. May we all recognize our purpose and live our lives to their fullest potential.

Judy Lipson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and educational strategist in West Bloomfield. She helps clients of all ages who have learning difficulties; work or school related anxiety; ADHD; Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorders; and those who wish to Remember and Become Who You Really Are. Contact Judy at 248.568.8665 and judylipson@spiralwisdom.net, and visit www. SpiralWisdom.net for more information.

Published in Metro You Magazine, June 2012

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

As I grew up, there was no recognition or understanding of Sensitives. I knew I was anxious and I always felt different, seemingly living on the sidelines of the life that my peers appeared to live. It wasn’t until adulthood that I understood: I am a Sensitive. I believe that this is true of many of today’s young adults, and most of your children, too. And it’s wonderful. I now feel blessed for having these qualities and appreciative to be able to support and guide others in their understanding and acceptance of who they are, of this way of being.

One approach to understand Sensitives is to examine the six senses. In fact, Sensitives, who are often called Indigos or Crystals, are often referred to as Six-Sensory Beings.

Touch: Complaints about irritating fabric or embroidery, or the sensation of water on the skin. When the touch of another person is uncomfortable or intolerable, consider a firmer touch. Occupational therapists often prescribe skin brushing and weighted vests.
Hearing: This child hears everything (other than directions to clean their room or put out the garbage). Certain tones can be distracting or even distressing. I had a student who couldn’t concentrate in a classroom because of a loud fan. Another student was distracted by the classroom TV’s high-pitched sound. Oh, and that noisy classroom? A sensitive child can have difficulty distinguishing a specific sound in the midst of others, or might even tune everything out.
Taste: Flavors or texture limit the foods eaten
Smell: Sensitivity to chemicals or fragrances
Seeing: They notice the smallest details and are compelled to ‘take it all in’. (But I don’t suggest that these individuals be placed in sterile environments.)
Sixth sense: The awareness of others’ emotions and moods. Sensitives don’t realize that they are sensing the emotions of others. Their anxiety, anger or sadness might be coming from surrounding people. They can ask, “Is this mine?” to help identify if it is their own emotion.

Sensitives frequently have anxieties and/or ADHD and may even be on the Autism Spectrum. They often have a love for nature and animals. They tend to seem older than their years, or may be characterized as old souls. They are often right-brain thinkers who are creative and artistic. They are deep thinkers and tend to be bright. In school they may be unsuccessful or unmotivated because of the mismatch between their learning style and the style of the teacher or the educational system.

Many Sensitives are argumentative and headstrong: They are frustrated with our society because they came into the world knowing how things should be—in institutions, systems and relationships. Yet as children, they don’t have the power to create this change. Their ability to understand their world may be greater than other’s their age, but their ability to cope with this awareness is compromised because they have neither the life experience nor the emotional maturation to handle what they know.

Sensitives may feel misplaced and alone. They frequently verbalize their dislike for (or discomfort with) their school, peers, and/or community. They describe themselves as having few friends–or few individuals who truly understand them and think as they do. These perceptions can also lead to anxiety and depression.

Sensitives may verbalize or behave in a manner that lets others know that they do not like being in large groups. They are empathic and intuitive and unknowingly feel and absorb the emotions of those around them. They are already experiencing discomfort due to their feelings of personal isolation and different-ness, but much of their anxiety and depression is a result of the “negative emotions” they absorb while in the presence of others. The source of their anxiety and depression may not always be from within, or the intensity of their emotions is not theirs.

Sensitives may sense the unexpressed conflicts and emotions of their parents, siblings, extended families, peers – everyone! Again, they do not understand this sensitivity and the sponge-quality of their knowing. But they are acutely aware of the conflicts and emotions, and it makes them feel uncomfortable. But again, this is usually at a subconscious level. They know that they feel “bad” when in the presence of their family or groups and wish to avoid the unpleasantness.  They are responding to the body language of the individual, to their words and tone, and to the unexpressed energetic message – all things that others think are being suppressed. Their discomfort is real! Thus they may isolate themselves from others.

You can support the Sensitives (adults and children) in your life:

• Six-sensories who don’t understand, often feel scared and overwhelmed
• Teach them different is not bad; their gifts (intuition, empathy, etc) are not crazy
• Allow them to verbalize their experiences
• Keep your own energy and emotions calm when communicating (especially when offering criticism or suggestions)
• Focus on their gifts: compassion, empathy, creativity, intelligence; rather than challenging behaviors
• Help them realize they may be affected by the moods of others: family, other students, people in malls, etc
• Provide structure and familiar routines
• Stay present:
  Breath – be the observer of the breath, and the mind calms. Say: Take a slow, gentle breath in; as you do, watch how your chest and abdomen (tummy) move out; as you exhale (breathe out), see how your chest and abdomen move back inward once again. Take a few more breaths, just watching the movement.
  Relaxation –When the body is tense, the shoulders rise up and the chest can’t breathe as fully; so you breathe faster. The mind interprets this as anxiety, making the situation worse. Say this: Close your eyes and say in your mind what I say out loud. I relax my toes and feet. I relax my ankles and calves. I relax my knees and thighs. I relax my hips and waist. With my next breath I breathe this relaxation into my back. I relax my lower back, middle back, upper back. I relax my shoulders away from my ears. I relax my neck, jaw, chin, tongue, cheeks, nose, eyes, forehead and temples. I’m fully relaxed from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Breathe in peace and exhale tension. This is an excellent technique to fall asleep at night. (If you are interested, I have a professionally recorded relaxation CD available on my website.)
• Teach grounding techniques (often more beneficial than meditation for Sensitives): “Tree” – Sit or stand with your feet on the ground. Imagine the trunk (torso) of your body is the trunk of the tree. Feel the strength of the tree move down through your legs and feet (the roots), anchoring you into earth. This is a great technique when someone is anxious, agitated or experiencing hyperactivity.
• Use your own energetic skills to clear the negative energies from physical spaces
• Find a mentor or counselor who understands Sensitives to learn how to manage the sensitivities, deal with the experiences and recognize their inherent gifts
• Continue to educate yourself about Highly Sensitive People, Indigo Children and Crystal Children

I believe Sensitives are the seeds of the future that we strive for—a peaceful world that promotes and maintains ecological and social responsibility. We – the Sensitives who have come before – have an extraordinary opportunity to parent and mentor Six-Sensories to achieve their destiny. I hold the Sensitives in my life (and yours) in love and light. May we all know and attain our highest purpose.

Judy Lipson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and educational strategist in West Bloomfield. She helps clients of all ages who have learning difficulties; work or school related anxiety; ADHD; Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorders; and those who wish to Remember and Become Who You Really Are. Contact Judy at 248.568.8665 and judylipson@spiralwisdom.net, and visit www. SpiralWisdom.net for more information.

Published in Bamboo Magazine, January 2012