Could it be ADD? | ADHD Information

My 12 year old is frustrating the heck of out me! He is a very bright boy (I've seen the test scores) but he is failing miserably in middle school. He's always seemed to have a problem with organization but it's like he's given up. He completely blew off a big assignment which means he will fail TWO classes this quarter and last quarter's grades were already shaky.

His sister was recently diagnosed with ADHD and now I'm beginning to wonder if he might have the inattentive type. (I know it runs in families.) I would not describe him as hyper or active - just spacy when it comes to school. (He's not this way at home so it's not drugs.) He's totally disorganized and forgotful. Has been for years. I'm wondering if maybe he's been struggling too and it's just now catching up with him. (His intellect isn't enough to compensate anymore.) His belongings are always a mess (then again, he is a 12 year old boy!). Spelling and handwriting are terrible. (Have been for a couple of years.)

I guess it wouldn't hurt to explore the possibilty. Maybe the kids got it backwards! My daughter gets the type typical of boys and my son gets the type typical of girls.

Any insight about having it diagnosed in middle school?

Thanks.
It can't hurt to have testing done by a reputable place, but I have to tell you that you just perfectly described my 16 yo at that same age and he doesn't have adhd.  He had: hormones, girl-hyper-awareness, sleep deprivation, basketball haze, and a highly sensitive coolness sensor.  Now that he's learned to manage all that, he's back on track: all A's this quarter!!