* disorganized (unfortunately, this has kind of been since birth but more pronounced now)
* hard to concentrate
* mind wanders
* can't multi-task (send him upstairs to brush his teeth and put on his shoes and socks and you may find him standing stock-still five or ten minutes later -- "oh, I forgot!")
* easily frustrated -- will burst into tears and/or get angry if you try to push him to finish something more quickly
* having trouble finishing work in school because he's always slower than the other children (he says his brain kind of freezes up and he can't think of what to write)
* likes to lose himself in Game Boy, computer games, and TV (watched by himself)
* stomach aches
* frequent illnesses (like weird viruses that seemingly come out of nowhere)
Hi Nina, I copied some of what you said about your 8 yr old and I have to say I thought perhaps he has a PDD (pervasive developmental disorder) under this catagory falls autism, Asperger's syndrome (I have 2 kids with that), Tourrettes and a myriad of other things. I do agree you shoud get a consult with a doctor, educate yourself with some of the suggestions that are being given. I know that my oldest son who has AS also has the trouble finishing work (he is slower, his reason is it is too easy for him and he gets bored, then distracted etc.) The frustration comes as a result of his not being able to read body language etc.
Good luck!
Diana