What do you think this student has?

I have a student in my class that just does not concentrate. Every time I give directions he's always the last one to do them and not because he finally realizes he needs to do something but because students around him tend to do things for him. If I give him specific directions, it takes him time to process what I am telling him. He is very spacy and seems to be preocupied with other things. If I let him sit by himself, he will never get anything done so he always sits with me to get his work done. He is not failing all subjects (he is at grade level in reading and writing is not all that bad, there certainly is a chance for improvement) but in math he seems to get some concepts and not others (like when he concentrates). He calls other kids names but I have never heard him...he does is in such a low voice but he has admitted to it. When he speaks it seems like he wants to articulate every word correctly. I asked the nurse to check his hearing. What do you think he has?

It sounds like an attention problem if he cannot concentrate and focus. If he isn't hyperactive, then he could have regular ADD.

Symptoms of ADD:

_often fails to give close attention to details.

_often makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.

_ often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.

_ often becomes easily distracted by irrelevant sights, sounds and extraneous stimuli.

_ often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.

_often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace.

_ often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.

_ often avoids tasks, such as schoolwork or homework, that require sustained mental effort.

_ often loses things necessary for tasks or activities, like school assignments, pencils, books, or tools.

_ often is forgetful in daily activities.

_ rarely follows instructions carefully and completely.

People with ADD symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder who are inattentive display difficulty keeping their mind on any one thing. They may get bored easily with a task and bounce to the next task, and the next task after that. Organizing and completing a task proves troublesome, though they may give undivided and effortless attention to activities and topics they enjoy. People with ADD symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder often find that focusing deliberate, conscious attention to learning something new is extremely difficult.

As a result, homework may be agonizing for people with the symptoms of ADD. They might forget to write down assignments or bring home the right books to complete the assignments. When doing homework, people with the symptoms of ADD typically find their minds drifting every few minutes.

http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/symp...

You may want to ask other teachers he is around- like music or art teachers to get their input. Talk with teachers from previous years if that is an option.

Possibly, talk with the principal about this child. See what they think. You may have to speak to the parents and get their input on how he is at home. The school guidance counselor or Special Ed. teacher can be of help. He may need tested for disabilities or taken to the doctor to get a diagnosis. Obviously, there are major problems here. Do not delay. The longer you wait, the more time he loses, and the further behind he gets. Act on this right away for his sake. He needs help with whatever problem he may have.

Good luck, from a 2nd grade teacher.

ADD/ADHD? Maybe. I used to have a classmate like that and he had ADD.

Yea, I think ADD. He seems to have all the symptoms...

The lack of concentration sounds like it points to attention deficit disorder. My daughter has add and wow was she having a hard time concentrating, needing directions explained a few times always asking questions a couple of times and she did rely on her friends or her aid to help her and if she was left alone to finish something it took her forever. She also tended to daydream especially if she really had to concentrate, especially math, we started her on concerta once a day and wow what a difference, she is an a-b student and the pill has given her the ability to concentrate on school work and homework, her ability to pick up things the first time has dramatically improved. You would need to talk to his parents and suggest they speak to their dr and maybe have him tested. Hope this helps

Don't automatically assume attention deficit disorder. It may be, but it may be something else.
How is his home life? How is he during recess? What has happened in the past 6 months in his home that may cause his mind to wander and him to be internally angry and resentful?
Involve the school counselor, invite the parents for at least 2 meetings to get a "feel" for the bigger picture. Maybe he is quite, polite at home, and maybe he is stressed due to a tense family situation? Could he have food allergies? Wheat intolerance?
It should be completely looked at as a whole, and then a diagnosis or plan of action prepared. He may need a tutor, or maybe to go back one grade, he should be tested, maybe he is highly gifted and doesn't fit in, is annoyed in class? Too many possibilities to know for sure.