INDfamily

THE MOTHER LOAD: The new ADD, fertility obstacles and relentless parents

by Amanda Bedgood

Newsy bits for the whole fam

Attention, parents, attention

A new attention disorder just may be arriving at a pharmacy near you. While questions of over diagnosing in the six million-plus children stamped with the label of ADD and ADHD arise, a group of psychologists are touting the validity of "sluggish cognitive tempo."

The trademarks of the disorder include lethargy, daydreaming and slow mental processing. Some researches claim at least two million children could have the disorder. In fact some of the condition researches are already working with Eli Lilly pharm giant on how their flagship ADHD drug could treat it. Hmmmm. Take that as you will.

While some researchers claim the argument for the new condition is clear, others are fighting back.

"We're seeing a fad in evolution: Just as A.D.H.D. has been the diagnosis du jour for 15 years or so, this is the beginning of another," said Dr. Allen Frances, an emeritus professor of psychiatry at Duke University. "This is a public health experiment on millions of kids."

The cost of fertility

Turns out where you live has a huge bearing on what fertility treatments you may get. More than ten percent of women face infertility and a new map released this week shows huge disparities by state for support and insurance coverage for fertility treatments.

"You've got more than 25 states with a 'C' grade or worse. From my perspective, that does not bode well," said Barbara Collura, president and CEO of Resolve, a nonprofit that promotes reproductive health. "Infertility is a disease that affects millions of people. What this map is showing is that there are huge disparities based on where you live."

Where's Louisiana on that list? We have a big fat C. Check the map for more info on what that means and how you can take action.

The power of a hashtag

Turns out all those viral videos we "waste" time watching could be the key to one four-year-old girl's life. Eliza O'Neill was diagnosed with a rare neuro disorder recently (Sanfillippo, which kills most diagnosed by their teens and attacks the brain around age five or six) and her parents took to the internet.

They searched first for info - finding out a group was ready to test a therapy but lacked funding - and then on how to make a viral video - to raise the $2.5 million needed to start the trial.

A filmmaker caught wind of their struggle and documented the family in a new video that has raised more than $500,000 in six months.

"There is no cure. Even if the O'Neills manage to raise the $2.5 million, they know it doesn't guarantee Eliza will be helped. She may not qualify for the trial, though researchers think she probably will. The trial may not work. And there are always risks with any unproven therapy.

With no other treatments available, those risks seem minor when weighed against the certain death that awaits Sanfilippo kids.

'As a parent, you have to be the advocate for your child," Cara said. "You have to give them the best shot possible. And this is her best shot.'"

Search #savingeliza and click the pic to watch the video.